Maryland routes to teaching

Maryland teaching requirements

Teaching in Maryland requires teacher certification. There are three entry-level teacher certification options: standard professional certification with or without a master's degree, and provisional certification. For more about Maryland certification options, look here. Teacher pay is determined by certification status; for more on starting teacher pay in Maryland public schools, look here.

For aspiring teachers entering college

Maryland has multiple routes to certification. Students can start by completing an AA degree at any of Maryland's outstanding community colleges, or go directly to a four-year institution. They can also choose between institutions that offer undergraduate teacher certification and those that offer teacher certification via a post-graduate Master of Arts in Teaching program. For lists of institutions offering Maryland approved teacher preparation programs, by certification area and type (undergraduate or MAT), look here. For information about becoming a teacher at St. Mary's College of Maryland, look here.

For aspiring teachers in community college

For aspiring teachers who are pursuing an AA or AAT degree at a Maryland community college, here are your possible routes to teaching. For lists of institutions offering Maryland approved teacher preparation programs, by certification area and type (undergraduate or MAT), look here. For information about becoming a teacher at St. Mary's College of Maryland, look here.

For bachelor's degree holders considering a teaching career

For aspiring teachers who have already completed a bachelor's degree and want to become teachers, Maryland offers two routes: Completing a Maryland approved MAT program or seeking employment in a district and completing a Maryland approved alternative preparation program. This route entails working full-time under a provisional certificate with reduced pay while completing a teacher preparation program; districts typically offer this option only after they are unable to hire fully certified teachers.

For information about the St. Mary's College of Maryland career switcher track, look here.