Degrees
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Degree Pathways
A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) or a bachelor's degree with an embedded educator preparation program is the most common traditional path to an initial teaching license. Completing an approved program does not by itself grant certification. You still must meet your state's exams, fingerprinting, and application requirements.
Reviewed by Brittnie Vargas, School principal, M.Ed.Editorial processKey takeaways
- A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) or a bachelor's degree with an embedded educator preparation program is the most common traditional path to an initial teaching license. Completing an approved program does not by itself grant certification. You still must meet your state's exams, fingerprinting, and application requirements.
- Not always. Many states accept any bachelor's degree plus an approved preparation program or an alternative route. Check your target state's certification page for the exact academic requirement.
- No. Certification is issued by the state licensing authority after exams, background clearance, and application review, even when your program recommends you for licensure.
Most states require a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution plus completion of a state-approved educator preparation program that includes supervised clinical practice. The degree major may be Education, or it may be a content major paired with a preparation sequence. Secondary candidates often major in the subject they will teach.
Before enrolling, confirm the program is approved to recommend candidates for licensure in the state where you intend to teach. Program approval and Title II reporting status are separate from institutional accreditation. Use each state's teaching certification page on this site for the current application steps, then verify against the state licensing board.
Online and hybrid B.Ed. options exist, but clinical placement and state approval rules vary. Reciprocity for a license earned after an out-of-state bachelor's program depends on the receiving state's published reciprocity policy, not on a national interstate agreement republished here.
Online Bachelor of Education options →
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Frequently asked questions
Is a B.Ed. required to become a teacher?
Not always. Many states accept any bachelor's degree plus an approved preparation program or an alternative route. Check your target state's certification page for the exact academic requirement.
Does finishing a B.Ed. automatically certify me?
No. Certification is issued by the state licensing authority after exams, background clearance, and application review, even when your program recommends you for licensure.