Careers in Education

• The education program should be state accredited. In addition to state accreditation, programs meeting national standards are those that are accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) or by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) . Click here for more information on accreditation.
  
  
• Consider what type of teacher you would like to be and what educational requirements you need to meet. For example, if you would like to teach in a public school, consider a program that prepares you for licensure.
  
  
• Talk to teachers who you like and respect. What advice do they have to give you?
  
  
• Does the school offer career services that include job placement, a resume service, job fairs and networking opportunities? Is there a fee connected with the career services offered? What is the placement rate for graduates of the program?
  
  
• What works best for you? Taking two years of college and then transferring to a four-year program? Or would you prefer four years at the same school?
  
  
• Consider gaining experience in teaching before going to college. For example, get involved in tutoring students. Or, get involved with children in an after-school program, a summer day camp, as a camp counsellor or a child care program.
  
  
• Are you able to attend school full-time or part-time? Evenings or weekends only? Have you considered online or distance learning.
  
  
• What is the cost of the education required? Will you require financial aid? Could you qualify for a scholarship? Are loans or grants available to you?
  
  
• What are your long-term goals as a teacher? Do you wish to specialize in a particular subject in high school teaching, such as mathematics? Do you hope one day to teach at the university level? Would you prefer to be a corporate trainer in a large business? How about becoming a school principal? Here are just a few of the many specialties for which you can study: