Few careers let you shape lives as directly as teaching. You’re not only passing on knowledge — you’re also preparing the next generation with the skills and confidence they need to succeed. While it may be a challenging profession at times, it is also one of the most meaningful roles.
If you’re looking to enter the education field, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about becoming a teacher — with expert advice from John Pascarella, PhD, professor of clinical education at the USC Rossier School of Education.
What Do Teachers Do?
Teachers do far more than just deliver lesson plans. They help students develop both hard skills, such as reading, math and science, and soft skills like communication, critical thinking and leadership. Depending on your interests, you can teach different grade levels (elementary, middle, high school or college) or focus on a specific subject area, like history, psychology, English, mathematics and more.
Outside of classroom hours, teachers craft lesson plans, grade assignments, research new learning methods and collaborate with colleagues. They also communicate regularly with parents to support student progress and address challenges.
“Teaching offers both meaningful rewards and real challenges. Among the many benefits are the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students’ lives, contribute to school community improvement and engage in creative, intellectually stimulating work,” said Pascarella.
However, he notes that teachers also face “heavy workloads, modest compensation compared to other professions requiring similar levels of education and the emotional labor of continuously striving to meet students’ learning needs.”
Despite these challenges, Pascarella emphasizes that “many new entrants to the profession are energized by the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students and school communities they will serve as new teachers.”
Should You Become a Teacher?
Teaching is a rewarding and crucial profession, but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. So, how do you know if it’s the right fit for your career goals? First, it’s important to understand what kind of person thrives as a teacher.
As Pascarella explains, “Successful teachers are committed to their own adult learning practices as they work to continuously improve their teaching. The best teachers are motivated, engaging, relationship-centered, highly knowledgeable of their subject matter, resourceful and resilient.”
While teaching offers the chance to make a profound difference, it’s not always the path to high salaries or rapid career advancement. So, it’s important to consider your priorities.
What Education is Required to Become a Teacher?
Almost all teaching positions require a bachelor’s degree, preferably in education or in your intended subject area. If your degree is in another field, however, you can still enter the profession through a master’s degree in education or through a state-approved certification program.
In fact, depending on where you live, a master’s degree may not just be desired — it could be mandatory. States like New York, Connecticut and Maryland require teachers to obtain a master’s degree within a few years on the job.
In the U.S., teachers must also hold a state teaching license, which involves passing exams and applying through your state’s licensing board.
Before pursuing licensure, Pascarella encourages aspiring educators to “volunteer, shadow teachers, cultivate relationships with prospective mentors and gain guided exposure to supporting students’ learning.” These experiences, he says, are invaluable for confirming whether the call to teach is truly the right fit.
Should You Earn Your Master’s Degree to Become a Teacher?
Even when not required, a master’s degree can strengthen your teaching skills, open leadership opportunities and increase your earning potential.
“Earning a master’s degree in education or another teaching specialty can offer significant professional and personal benefits. Many school districts provide salary increases for teachers with advanced degrees, and the additional education can open doors to leadership roles such as instructional coach, department chair or curriculum specialist,” said Pascarella.
Master’s programs also “deepen teachers’ expertise in areas like curriculum design, assessment and differentiated instruction while offering opportunities for specialization in fields such as special education, literacy or educational technology,” he explained.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) online program from USC Rossier, for example, equips educators with research-based teaching strategies, leadership skills and cultural competency. Specializations — including special education — allow you to tailor your training to your goals, and the program’s flexible online delivery makes it possible to continue working while you earn your degree.
How Do You Find a Teaching Job After College?
Once you’ve completed your degree, whether that’s a bachelor’s or master’s program, you must become certified to teach in your state. Start your research early to ensure you have all the necessary paperwork (and training) to pass your exams.
Then, you can begin your job search through education-specific job boards, school district postings and your professional network. Graduate programs like USC Rossier connect you with strong alumni networks, providing nationwide career support and introductions to hiring schools.
With the right training, credentials and passion, you can step into the classroom ready to inspire, guide and shape the futures of students across the country.
Learn more about the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) online program today.