What To Study To Become A Teacher

As of 2025, Massachusetts has the third-highest average teaching salary in the nation. Of course, teaching is more than just a career for some.  Whether you’re curious or answering a calling, it’s worth fully understanding what you need to study to become a teacher.

Your journey toward becoming a licensed teacher will include a combination of completing education and training programs, earning degrees, passing exams, gaining classroom experience and fulfilling state requirements. For many, the first step is building a strong foundation at a community college.

What Degrees Do You Need To Be A Teacher?

To become a licensed teacher in Massachusetts, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree. The journey often begins with an associate degree at a community college to explore subjects and build skills before university.

Associate Degree

While some Early Childhood Education teaching positions may be accessible with an associate degree alone, an associate degree for aspiring teachers usually aims to prepare them to transfer into a bachelor’s program. The many benefits of earning an associate degree at a community college include:

1. Paying lower tuition fees, which reduces your overall education costs.
2. Exploring different subjects before committing to a specialized bachelor’s program.
3. Building a strong academic foundation and developing essential skills.
4. Unlocking transfer pathways for a seamless transition to a four-year university.
5. Receiving more personalized support in smaller classes.

Bachelor’s Degree

In Massachusetts, as in most states in the United States, a bachelor’s degree or higher is typically required to become a licensed teacher. While there are some alternative routes, transferring credits from your associate degree into a four-year bachelor’s program is a well-established pathway to becoming a teacher.

Many community colleges have transfer agreements with public and private four-year schools, allowing students to transfer seamlessly and complete their bachelor’s degrees. The Mount has transfer agreements with Fitchburg State University, MCLA, Salem State University, Westfield State University, UMass Boston, Rivier University, and Southern New Hampshire University that allow students to develop complete, valuable groundwork in community college before transferring to a university.

While any major is acceptable for elementary education, an aspiring secondary education teacher must have a degree or significant coursework in the subject they plan to teach. For example, a biology teacher must have completed a biology major or a large amount of coursework in the subject.

What Undergraduate Programs Are Best For Teachers?

While some students go straight from school to get a bachelor’s degree, many find a strategic advantage in starting their higher education journey at a community college. Beginning higher education in a community college can give aspiring teachers the chance to explore their options, build a solid base and save money before committing to a four-year program. By carefully selecting an associate degree, you can set yourself up for success in your future teaching career.

Various Associate Degrees

When it comes to what you have to study to become a teacher, there are many exciting options that you can choose from based on your interests. Aspiring teachers can choose from standard associate degree options, such as:

• Associate of Arts (AA): This degree provides a broad foundation in the liberal arts, covering subjects like English, math, science, social sciences and humanities. It’s an excellent choice for students who want to explore different areas before specializing.
• Associate of Science (AS): This degree is similar to the AA but emphasizes science and mathematics more. It is a good option for students interested in teaching STEM subjects.
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS): This degree is tailored for students seeking immediate entry into a specific trade or career upon graduation. Majors often include fields like automotive technology, accounting or computer information systems.

While these broader options are perfectly suitable, community college students may also have the choice to specialise in associate degrees focused on education. For example, MWCC offers education-centric degrees and certificates focused on Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Secondary Education. The Mount has a Secondary Education Degree Pathway agreement with Fitchburg State, with the following programs included:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• English
• General science
• History
• Mathematics

While these more degrees include multiple subjects, they allow prospective teachers who know which subject they want to focus on to develop skills in their desired field before enrolling in a bachelor’s program.

Additional Helpful Courses And Experiences For Aspiring Teachers

Your degree coursework will provide essential pedagogical knowledge. Supplementing your studies with courses like psychology and philosophy, and with practical experiences like tutoring, can build your knowledge and skills. These areas offer unique perspectives and practical experience to enrich your understanding of students and the learning process.

Psychology

Future teachers can benefit from taking psychology courses to learn about human behavior and development. Courses that can support a teaching career include those focused on topics such as:

• Human growth and development
• Group dynamics
• Child development
• Children with special needs
• Trauma and resilience in children

Philosophy

Enrolling in philosophy courses can expand your mind and help you develop critical thinking skills. Philosophy encourages students to question assumptions, analyze arguments and promote ethical reasoning. Philosophy helps students learn how to think and can help teachers understand their students.

Tuturing

While you’re studying to become a teacher, consider tutoring other students. Tutoring is an effective way to build practical teaching skills

What Certifications Should A Teacher Have?

Once you have earned your degree or degrees, becoming a certified teacher will require a couple of additional steps.

Licensure

Some of the things you’ll have to do to become a teacher will depend on where you live. For those residing in MA, you’ll have to pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), which evaluates content knowledge in the subject you plan to teach. There are multiple available license types for teachers in different positions and points in their careers:

• Temporary
• Provisional
• Initial
• Professional

Additional Requirements

There will be specific requirements for different roles. Here are some examples of requirements you will likely need to meet:

• Passing a criminal background check
• Gaining student teaching experience

Start Your Teaching Journey At MWCC

Now that you have an idea of what to study to become a teacher, you can start planning your path to the classroom. Whether you’re straight out of high school or restarting your education after gaining some life experience, we’re open to students from all walks of life. Mount Wachusett Community College was founded in 1963 and offers quality education and assistance from our Career Services Center, which offers a wide range of tools and resources to assist students in their job search.

MWCC is proud to be affordable, convenient and student-focused. Once you’ve completed your associate degree with MWCC, you can use our transfer services to help you transition and earn your bachelor’s degree. We look forward to hearing from you and hope you will request more information if you have any questions.

If you’re a transfer student or ready to take the first step in your teaching journey, fill out an application today!