DEGREES & PROGRAMS
Online Teacher Certification Programs and Degrees
What is a Teacher Licensure Program?
WGU shares your passion for education, and is dedicated to helping students become the educators in their own classrooms. Our online teaching degrees have led to more than 10,000 students becoming educators themselves. WGU offers online teaching degree programs that prepare you for a license—you can choose between online bachelor's degrees and online master's degrees that will help you get your educator certification.
Below is the standard process for earning your initial teaching license through the WGU Teachers College. Get answers to all your questions and learn the process of earning an online teaching degree and being prepared for a teaching certification.
WGU offers two types of programs that lead to an initial teaching license—bachelor's degrees and master's degrees. Bachelor's degree programs are for students who do not have an undergraduate degree and want to become a licensed teacher. These programs prepare you for the classroom and ensure you are eligible for obtaining a teaching license in your state. Master's degrees (Master of Arts in Teaching or MAT) programs that lead to an initial teaching license. If you have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field, the MAT programs allow you to get a master's degree AND qualify for a teaching license in your state.
Bachelor's Degrees Leading to Licensure
Education
Bachelor's Degrees Elementary Education
Online bachelor's degree programs built for aspiring elementary school...
Online bachelor's degree programs built for aspiring elementary school teachers who are looking to earn a teaching license.
Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 68% of students finish within 36 to 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 to 45 (47 for Washington residents) total courses in your degree, depending on which program you pursue.
Concepts included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
These online bachelor's degrees require in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Bachelor's Degrees Special Education
Online bachelor's degree programs built for aspiring special education...
Online bachelor's degree programs built for aspiring special education teachers who are looking to earn a teaching license.
Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 61% of students finish within 34 to 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 38 to 39 total courses in your degree, depending on which program you pursue.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
These online bachelor's degrees require in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Mathematics Education (Secondary) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math teachers and high school math teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 60% of students finish this degree within 40 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 41 total courses in this program (44 for Washington residents).
Concepts included in this program:
- Trigonometry and Precalculus
- Probability and Statistics I and II
- Calculus I, II, and III
- Abstract Algebra
- College Geometry
This online math teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This online math teaching degree program helps students become eligible for math teaching certification.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school biology teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 61% of students earned this online biology degree within 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 41 total courses in this program (43 for Washington residents).
Concepts included in this program:
- Zoology
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- Health Sciences
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Heredity and Genetics
This biology teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school chemistry teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 65% of students finish this online chemistry degree within 37 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program (42 for Washington residents).
Concepts included in this program:
- Physical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Biochemistry
This chemistry teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. Earn a chemistry degree online and be eligible for a teaching certification.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Physics) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school physics teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching license options in your state.
- Time: 62% of students earn this online physics degree within 49 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program (42 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Educational Psychology
- Physics: Waves and Optics
- Space, Time and Motion
- Conceptual Physics
- Physics: Mechanics
This physics teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. Graduates of this online teaching degree program will be eligible for teaching certification.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school earth science teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching license options in your state.
- Time: 63% of students earn this middle school teaching and high school teaching degree within 33 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 41 total courses in this program (43 for Washington residents)
Concepts included in this program:
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- General Physics
- Physical Geology
- Earth Systems
- Astronomy
This geosciences teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This high school teaching degree program prepares you for teaching licensure in any of the 50 states.
Master's Degrees Leading to Licensure (MAT Programs)
Education
Teaching, English Education (Secondary) – M.A.
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for...
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school English teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 63% of students finish this online English degree program within 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 17 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- English Pedagogy
- Reading Instruction and Interventions
- Disciplinary Literacy
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
This online English degree prepares students for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
Education
Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification...
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification program for aspiring elementary school teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish within 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 28 total courses in this program (29 for Washington residents)
Concepts included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
This online teacher's degree requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Mathematics Education – Master's
Online master's program options for current teachers, and aspiring...
Online master's program options for current teachers, and aspiring teachers who want to pursue licensure. These programs prepare you to teach math at the approved level in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish these programs within 18 and 25 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 12 to 20 total courses in this program.
Completion time and total courses will vary based on the program you pursue.
Concepts included in this program:
- Trigonometry
- Calculus
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Statistics
Propel your career as a math teacher with a master's degree in mathematics education.
Education
Science Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching science to middle school students.
Available in all states that offer a middle-grades general science endorsement.
- Time: 63% of students earned this degree within 18 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 14 total courses in this program.
This program is for currently licensed teacher who want to add middle-grades science to their license.
Concepts included in this program:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth science
- Space science
Propel your career as a middle school or junior high science teacher with this M.A. degree.
Education
Teaching, Special Education (K–12) – M.A.
An online master's degree for aspiring teachers looking to further their...
An online master's degree for aspiring teachers looking to further their careers with a focus on K–12 special education.
- Time: 64% of students finish similar programs in 22 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 30 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for students who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field and are looking to earn their initial teaching license.
Concepts included in this program:
- Professional, Ethical and Legal Guidelines in Special Education
- Management Strategies for Academic and Social Behavior
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Methods of Instruction and Intervention
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Find a rewarding career teaching students with diverse challenges and special learning abilities with this teaching master's degree.
Steps to Becoming a Certified, Licensed Teacher
1a. Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college.
The online educator bachelor's degree programs in the Teachers College at WGU include coursework and assessments, a clinical experience that includes observation hours and teaching lessons, and Student Teaching (explained in step 5) 5). A bachelor's degree is required in every state in order to get a teaching license and teach in schools, so this is a critical first step.
1b. Complete a licensing master's degree program if you already have a bachelor's degree.
If you already possess a bachelor’s degree in a non-teaching field, WGU’s online teaching master's degrees are a great fit for you. The Master of Arts in Teaching programs prepare students for teaching certification—getting them ready to work in schools. These teacher certification programs qualify you to become licensed in the field of your choice (such as elementary education, secondary mathematics, science, etc.), training you to become a highly qualified teacher. These online teaching degree programs include supervised practice teaching (see step 5, Student Teaching) in an actual school setting.
2. Pass a background check.
WGU requires all candidates for a teacher certification program to provide the university with verification of a cleared background check prior to entering schools for clinical experiences and Student Teaching. Previously completed background checks may not satisfy WGU background check requirements. In some states, more than one background check may be required. In addition, most states require that applicants for teacher certification complete a background check for the Department of Education prior to submitting all application paperwork. This is a necessary precaution designed to prevent those who may pose a danger to the students in the classroom from pursuing a teaching career. You must be at least 18 years of age before you may begin the application process or participate in clinical experiences and Student Teaching.
3. Pass basic skills, content, and pedagogy exams.
Each state has specific testing requirements that must be met or completed in addition to completing your teaching degree at WGU. WGU requires students to complete and pass:
- Basic Skills Exam: Pass the Basic Skills Exam required by your state for certification, or a designated Basic Skills Exam if your state does not require one.
- Content Exam: You must pass the designated Content Exam(s) required by your state in order to graduate with your online teaching degree.
- WGU Program Exam: WGU also requires you to pass a specific Praxis exam to graduate from your online teaching degree (with the exception of Elementary programs), often in addition to any teaching certification exam required by your state.
- Pedagogy Exam: Finally, some states require the completion of a Pedagogy Exam, which assesses your knowledge of teaching methods.
4. Complete clinical experiences as part of your program.
In preparation for your formal Student Teaching (described in step 5 below), you will complete clinical experiences designed to introduce you to the classroom through a series of activities, including observations and lesson planning. Working under the guidance of a WGU Placement Specialist, you will be asked to make arrangements with a local school to complete these activities.
5. Complete a term of in-classroom student teaching (Student Teaching) with an educator.
Student Teaching is a critical component of teaching degree programs. This in-classroom experience is invaluable in helping to integrate the academic knowledge and teaching skills you learn in these education programs into a practical application that will prepare you to tackle the challenges of your own classroom with confidence.
Student Teaching (ST) at WGU covers the competencies required for in-classroom proficiency. ST is a full-time, supervised, in-classroom experience of a minimum of 12–20 weeks. During Student Teaching, you will be hosted by an experienced teacher. You will undergo a series of at least six observations by a Clinical Supervisor and also receive evaluations from your Host Teacher to evaluate your performance based on accepted professional standards.
As you approach your Student Teaching, a WGU Placement Specialist will work with you to set up your placement. The process of scheduling your ST placement may take up to six months. You may be required to assist in the process of setting up your placement. In some cases, you may be required to commute up to two hours (or in rare cases longer than this). Note that students are not permitted to work during their Student Teaching experience. You must be at least 18 years of age before you may begin the application process or participate in clinical experiences or Student Teaching.
Student Teaching may not be waived and prior experience may not be used to satisfy this requirement as you must demonstrate competency in the classroom in order to complete teaching programs at WGU. This experience is critical to your online teaching degree and teacher certificate.
6. Meet any additional state certification requirements.
Some states have additional requirements for teaching certification, such as coursework not included in WGU programs, CPR Certification, or Workshops. To learn more about your state’s requirements for a teacher license, click here.
Teacher Licensure and Certification Specialties
When you choose a a degree with a teaching license, you'll also need to choose grade levels and subjects that you want to focus on as part of your learning. There are many specialties you can choose from and it's important to understand the outcome of each before deciding. The specialties you can choose from include:
Grade Level
- Elementary Education (K-6)
- Middle School (6-8)
- Junior High School (7-9)
- Secondary Education (6-12)
- High School (9-12)
- All Grade Levels (K-12)
Subject
- Math
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Physics
- English
Diverse Students
- Special Education
- English Second Language or English Language Learning
- Special Education and Elementary Education Dual License
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
The Teachers College at Western Governors University is granted accreditation for its programs from CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077.
Every education program offered through the WGU Teachers College has been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through 2025.
WGU is a top conferrer of STEM degrees that is partnered with Beyond100K. WGU joins nonprofits, government agencies, companies, and foundations to combat challenges and prepare more teachers for STEM teaching positions nationwide.
Learn About a Career in Education
Why Choose WGU For Your Teacher Licensure Program?
WGU is a great fit for your online degree in education for many reasons, including:
- Low, flat-rate tuition means that you're charged the same amount per six-month term, regardless of how many classes you take.
- Competency-based education means you can use your knowledge to your advantage, accelerating your program and graduating faster. Graduating faster also saves you money.
- We offer scholarships and financial aid to help with our already affordable tuition, making college education accessible for even more students.
- Respected and accredited programs ensure that your education degree is meaningful for you as a teacher.
Prepare for a Teaching License
These bachelor's and master's programs at WGU lead to certification in any of the 50 states. Students can learn their state-specific criteria for teacher licensure and see what additional steps they need to take after earning their degree. Typically students need to pass a background check, pass a Praxis exam, and have a certain number of in-classroom hours.
Student Teaching
Students in the teacher licensure programs at WGU have a set amount of in-classroom experience time they must have to graduate. Clinical experiences and student teaching ensure that WGU students have been observed in a classroom environment and are able to earn their teaching license. Your Program Mentor will help you learn about setting up your student teaching.
FAQs about Teacher Licensure
- WGU's Teacher Licensure Program
- Accreditation
- Teaching Certification
Teaching certification is available for WGU graduates in any of the 50 states, so long as the teaching license and/or teaching degree program is offered in the state. Each state has specific teaching licensure requirements that must be met in addition to completing your WGU online teaching degree. Review the above list and click here to learn more about your state’s teacher certification requirements.
Yes. For more details about student teaching please see step 5 above.
Upon completion of your teaching degree program or teacher preparation program, the WGU Licensure Department will assist you with the process of applying for your teaching license. Complete information about the teacher licensure application process is provided to graduates in the WGU Student Handbook.
Your WGU online teaching program will align with specific grade levels defined by your state Department of Education.
It depends on the individual student and varies by teaching degree program. Refer to your individual teaching degree program guide for the projected standard path and number of terms to completion.
Yes, the WGU Teachers College is the first competency-based online university to receive accreditation for its online teaching degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP is the only recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.
CAEP is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the only recognized national accreditor for educator preparation. CAEP's vision is excellence in educator preparation accreditation. Its mission: "CAEP advances excellent educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning." Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement.
These terms are used interchangeably throughout the teaching field and state departments of education.
The first step to obtaining a teaching certification online is to find an accredited degree program that offers a bachelor's or master's degree program that leads to licensure. Once you complete this program you can work to complete other licensure requirements based on your state.
In every state a bachelor's degree is required to become a licensed teacher. While there are alternative routes to licensure if you haven't pursued an education program, you will at minimum need a bachelor's degree in order to become a licensed educator.
These terms are used interchangeably to describe a teacher who is qualified and has proven their ability to instruct students in the classroom.
Students who want to become educators quickly can benefit from an online, competency-based program that allows them to pursue their degree at a pace that works for them.
