Find an Education Path For Teaching in Nevada, (NV)

If you decide that you want to be a teacher, there are certain steps to follow. The first step depends on where you are now on the path toward reaching your goal. Please choose the highest level of education that you have achieved and we will guide you through the steps to take as you advance towards a teaching career in Nevada.

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If You Have a High School Diploma or a GED

Nevada high school graduates with diplomas or GED certificates, who decide to continue their education, can apply for admission to a two-year or community college or to a four-year university. Graduation from high school is a requirement for acceptance and enrollment in Bachelor’s degree programs in the education field. Bachelor’s degree programs also require new freshman applicants to pass an SAT or ACT entrance exam and to have a GPA that meets the college’s academic requirements.

Learn about accredited schools that offer Associate degrees or Bachelor’s degrees focusing on education, specific academic content areas or student populations.
Decide what grade level and subject area you are interested in teaching.
Contact colleges that fit your needs, and request information to help you make a decision about what school to attend and what degree program to pursue.

If You Have Completed Some College or Earned an Associate’s Degree

Two-year and community colleges are a good, economical choice for students who want to earn a degree or certificate qualifying them to teach young children, and for individuals who want to transfer to a four-year university. If you plan to transfer to a university that offers a Bachelor’s degree with an education focus, you can complete required general education classes at a two-year college. In addition, education or teaching courses you take may satisfy prerequisites for a teacher education program you may enroll in when you transfer to a four-year college.

A two-year or community college Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis on Early Childhood, Elementary or Secondary Education can provide students with the first two years of college preparation, including general education curricula and prerequisites for upper division education classes. Students who want to continue on to a four-year university may qualify to enroll at the junior level in a Bachelor’s in Education degree program that will lead to teacher certification.
Investigate various state-approved Bachelor’s degree programs to find out which ones will accept transfer credits from the college you attended. Contact the schools that interest you to request more information.
Some aspiring teachers, who have earned Associate Degrees or Credentials in Early Childhood Education, choose to seek employment shortly after graduation. A certificate or Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, may qualify you to begin working as a teaching assistant or child caretaker with infants, toddlers and pre-school children at Head Start, preschools, childcare organizations or before- and after-school programs.

If You Have a Bachelor’s Degree

All Nevada teaching licenses require a Bachelor’s degree and an accredited program of preparation for teaching at the elementary or secondary grade level. Before applying for a Nevada Teacher’s License, teaching candidates must complete all requirements mandated by the Nevada Department of Education. Some individuals already have a Bachelor’s degree when they decide to start working toward a teaching career. These prospective teachers should consult with college advisors to help them determine the next steps required as they move toward licensure in Nevada.

If you have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in conjunction with an accredited Teacher Preparation Program, you have already fulfilled essential academic and teacher preparation requirements. Teacher Preparation Programs include coursework and classroom observations, fieldwork, and student teaching. Successful completion of all degree and teacher preparation requirements will qualify you to apply for a teaching certificate or license.
Testing is required only for Nevada’s initial license. All applicants for initial licensing in Nevada must take the following competency tests: The Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) assesses an individual’s reading, writing, and mathematics knowledge. The Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) tests are required for Grades K–6, or Grades 7–12, depending on the grade level you plan to teach. The Praxis II Subject Assessments are required for each subject area you hope to teach.
Receiving a Bachelor’s degree with a major in liberal studies can be an important step toward certification as an Elementary level teacher. Some certification programs recommend the Liberal Arts major, because it prepares educators to teach in the many different subject areas taught in Elementary school classrooms.
If you received your Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in the specific subject you wish to teach, you may have already satisfied some certificate programs’ recommended academic requirements. Majoring in a specific subject taught at the secondary school level prepares individuals to become endorsed or qualified to teach high school and middle school classes in that content area.
Teachers who already have a Bachelor’s degree, but with a non-education related major, may benefit from post-baccalaureate programs offered by many colleges. Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Programs provide course work that can lead to teacher licensing in Elementary or Secondary Education. Acceptance into these programs requires a bachelor’s degree from a Nevada-approved college. Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Education programs tend not to lead to degrees, but once the Teacher Preparation program and other requirements are satisfied, prospective teachers are eligible to apply for a Nevada teaching license. Completing a Master’s degree in Education in conjunction with a Teacher Preparation program is another route toward licensing.
Each step you take toward arriving at your goal of becoming a teacher in Nevada, provides essential knowledge, skills and experience that will help you be an effective teacher. After earning a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, receiving qualifying scores on basic skills, knowledge, pedagogy and subject area assessment exams, successfully completing a Nevada- or regionally-accredited Teacher Preparation Program and finishing student teaching and fieldwork hours, you will be eligible to apply for a license to teach in Nevada.

If You Have a Master’s Degree or are in a Master’s Degree program

Graduate degrees in education are varied and include the Master of Arts or Master of Sciences, for students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education and completed requirements necessary to be issued a Nevada teaching license. Students interested in a graduate program that combines academic coursework with a teacher preparation program can select a Master of Education (M.Ed.) emphasizing Elementary or Secondary School teaching. Secondary school licensure in Nevada requires you to complete a Teaching Major along with the other academic and teacher preparation coursework. The Master’s in Elementary Education (Med) is for students who have a bachelor’s degree in fields other than education. This graduate program offers an opportunity for prospective teachers to become a licensed elementary school teacher (Grades K-8) while they earn a master’s degree in Elementary Education.

Accredited universities with graduate programs in education offer a range of Master’s degrees that can lead you to a teaching license and a career as an educator. Master of Arts or Master of Science in Education, or Master of Education (M.Ed.) degrees may be offered concurrently with a Teacher Preparation program that is required for certification. You may also have the opportunity to focus on Elementary or Secondary Education, with an emphasis on the subject area you hope to teach.
When you are ready to begin your teaching career, you must demonstrate that you have completed all requirements for certification or licensure. These steps include finishing required academic coursework, completing an approved Teacher Preparation Program, passing mandated tests, and fulfilling student teaching hours. The next step is to apply for your teaching certificate and begin searching for a job in the education field. Contact the Nevada Department of Education to request an application.
Some people who have earned a Master’s degree in Education may decide to continue their education and pursue a doctoral degree. Earning an Educational Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) or a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) may increase your opportunities for a better job and a higher income. Gathering information about available doctorate degrees in your field or specialty will provide the information necessary to discover the best university and education program to meet your needs.