How Long Does it Take to Become a Teacher in Oregon?

Whether just beginning your teaching journey or growing your career with new skills and endorsements, Pacific’s College of Education can help you get the expert training and teacher prep you need.

Applications for Pacific’s teacher licensure programs are open now! Start your application today and begin making more money doing what you love.

A career in education can be a diverse and rewarding experience, with countless concentrations and opportunities to grow your unique skill set and impact the lives of your students.

But with so many specializations available for prospective educators to pursue, it can be worth asking how long it takes to become a teacher.  

With Pacific’s education degrees offered at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level — in addition to subject matter endorsements and part-time licensure programs — the years of college required to become a teacher can vary widely.

Whether you’re just beginning your degree, or have been teaching for years and want to advance your career, knowing how long it takes to get the education needed to reach your goals is important.

So, how fast can you become a teacher? Join us and discover how long it takes to earn your professional teaching license or level-up your teaching career and start making a difference in the classroom. 

START YOUR APPLICATION

How Long Does it Take to Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Education?

A bachelor’s degree in education from an accredited university is the minimum requirement needed in order to qualify for a teaching license in Oregon.

Generally, for traditional undergraduate students, this means that the education to become a teacher takes four years, which includes a semester of student teaching alongside an experienced educator in your specialty. 

During those four years you will complete all the necessary coursework and steps to become a teacher, which includes training in classroom management, child development, and implementing social justice.

To help launch your career as soon as possible, Pacific offers a Four-Year Graduation Guarantee, meaning that you will graduate on time and start inspiring students as soon as possible.

For non-traditional students, such as those with non-instructor classroom experience or transfer community college credits, Pacific offers a special bachelor’s degree in education (BEd) that leads to teacher licensure in just 20 months. 

How Long Does it Take to Get Your Professional Teacher License?

Because many required exams and certifications for a professional teaching license in Oregon are completed prior to graduation, aspiring educators can enter the workforce quickly after graduation.

Teacher preparation programs, like those included within Pacific’s School of Learning and Teaching, uniquely qualify prospective educators to complete licensure requirements.

Completion of these requirements while in school allows you to begin your Oregon licensure application immediately after graduating.

Students who decide to launch their career directly after completing their bachelor’s can start teaching in Oregon with their license as early as the next academic year. 

How Long Does it Take to Get a Master’s Degree in Education?

The master’s degree in education has become an increasingly popular option for new and established educators wanting to enter or boost their career in teaching with more flexibility and earning potential.

Available at Pacific as both one- and two-year programs, you can choose the  advanced education degree option best for you in order to pursue your specific passions in the classroom.

Popular master’s degrees in education and teaching include: 

• Master of Arts in Teaching in General Education (MAT). A versatile online program that takes between one and two years to complete, this master’s degree for teachers is highly adaptable to the environment in which you’d like to teach.

  Designed for everything from elementary education to high school specializations, the MAT degree allows prospective educators to become licensed in Oregon and quickly get into a classroom.

• Master of Arts in Special Education (MAT). In-demand at every level, a program in special education is a two-year online advanced degree that prepares you to advocate for children with disabilities with compassion and justice.

How Long Does it Take to Go from a Resident Teacher to a Licensed Teacher?

Resident teachers — instructors who teach in the classroom in a temporary or provisional capacity — can transition to full-time education careers with full licensure in less than one year.

By completing Pacific’s 11-month non-degree Residency Teacher License program, resident instructors can receive the training required to pursue licensure while still remaining in the classroom. 

In only three semesters, resident instructors can transform their careers and increase their earning potential with expert mentorship and guidance through the teacher-prep process. 

How Long Does it Take to Get a Teacher Endorsement?

Teacher endorsements are the perfect way to accelerate your teaching career and provide more thoughtful and experienced support for your students.

Designed to help licensed and prospective teachers to expand their skills and refine new strategies for effective instruction, teacher endorsements can be fulfilled during a degree program or while actively teaching. 

The time required to successfully complete a teaching endorsement or certificate varies depending on the specialization in particular, with some able to finish in just one year.

Ready to jump start your teaching career? Browse Pacific’s wide variety of education degrees and concentrations and prepare your application today. 

ADMISSIONS FAQS