Have a Bachelor's Degree? Become a Teacher

Yes, you can become a teacher without an undergraduate degree in education.

Are you contemplating a career change? Are you looking for a fresh challenge and want a meaningful future, making a difference in the lives of your community? Do you want to work in a field that offers a solid pension, exceptional benefits, and the ability to share your passion?  

It's never too late to switch to a career in education. The good news is that if you have a bachelor's degree – even if it's not in education – you can still become a teacher in just one year.  

What is the Path to Becoming a Teacher in BC?  

Students have two options in BC:

  • Pursue a concurrent or dual degree program where they work towards receiving their undergraduate and Bachelor of Education at the same time.
  • Receive their undergraduate degree and then go for a Bachelor of Education post-degree program. The current programs vary in length from 11 months to two years.

Even with a non-teaching bachelor's degree, you can still apply for an accredited BC education program to pursue a BCEd. 

But, if individuals want to become certified teachers, they require a Bachelor of Education (BCEd) and an undergraduate degree. The undergraduate degree can be in any discipline, but all programs require courses depending on the pathway (elementary, middle or high school) and the teachable specializations. 

Elementary school teachers are generalists, so a broad education in multiple subject areas is ideal. Middle school teachers can choose a general or specialized area of study, while high school teachers are specialists, so they would complete a major or minor in one or two teachable subjects.  

While many different degrees can lead to an elementary school teaching career, the most direct route is a Bachelor's in Elementary Education Degree.

Teacher Certification   

Once your training is complete, you can apply for certificate of qualification from the Ministry of Education and Childcare to teach in BC.   

  • You can apply for certification to teach in BC.  
  • You must also be eligible to apply for certification to teach in other provinces and countries; each province and country has its certification requirements.  

It can take several weeks for domestic educators to get certified to teach, and even longer for international teachers, so be sure to apply for BC teaching certification as soon as possible.  

What degree do you need to be a teacher?  

As noted, having a non-education bachelor's degree will not prevent you from becoming a teacher. In some rare and exceptional cases, schools will hire those without a teaching degree or on the path to receiving it.  

In very exceptional cases, districts have advertised for "uncertified" teachers and in those cases, they could work without a teaching certificate. These jobs are always temporary, but they do provide candidates exposure in the classroom. 

Eligibility requirements to teach in BC include   
  • A bachelor's degree from a recognized institution  
  • Relevant academic preparation  
  • Volunteer or work experience with children or youth  
  • Pass a criminal record background check  

Note: As B.C. sets the four-year Bachelor of Education degree as the minimum education requirement for K-12 teachers, you likely won't find work as a teacher with an associate's degree, though you could still qualify for jobs in education, either as an education assistant, clerical staff, custodian, bus driver, IT professional or supervision aide.   

Is it possible to teach without an education degree?  

In some circumstances, applicants who have not completed all the academic and teacher education requirements may be issued a Conditional Certificate of Qualification.  

This is a temporary certificate that is valid for up to 60 months. Applicants who are issued this certificate must complete any remaining academic and teacher education requirements within 60 months.   

Applicants must meet the acceptable teacher education program requirements above to be eligible for a Conditional Certificate of Qualification. They must also have at least 24 credits of professional education coursework, including studies in:  

  • Curriculum and instruction within their teaching area  
  • Assessment and reporting   

Nisga'a teacher Nick Teramura made the change from an office career to a teaching role in Nisga'a after going back to university at UBC to earn a BCEd.

 

Can I teach in an independent school in BC without an education degree?  

You may be able to teach in BC's independent school system with an Independent Teaching Certificate.  

A final word of advice on how to get a teaching certificate if you already have a bachelor's degree.  

While it can feel daunting to start over after four years spent studying one very specialized field, a career in teaching is incredibly rewarding.  

If you love working with young people and feel accomplished when helping students grow, then a career in education might be worth exploring.  

British Columbia has a high demand for teachers in many areas of the province, especially in rural areas and Northern B.C. The demand is expected to increase for the next 10 years.   

Why the demand for teachers in Canada is high   
  • Teacher retirements.  
  • Growing student population.  
  • Fewer teacher graduates.   
What types of teachers are in demand in BC  
  • There is a growing demand for French Immersion and Francophone program teachers.   
  • Secondary Teachers specializing in advanced math, physics, chemistry, French and French immersion are in high demand.   
  • Business, technology and home economics teachers also have good job prospects.   
  • Teachers in learning assistance and inclusive education roles supporting children with diverse needs are in demand.