From kindergarten to college, there are always math subjects. With this, there is a constant demand for mathematics teachers nationwide. If you plan to change or pursue a teaching career, the basic requirements for math teachers in the US are; a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university AND an alternative teacher certificate, OR a state-approved degree that includes a teacher training program. For post-secondary teaching jobs, most colleges or universities require at least a master’s degree in a mathematics-related field to obtain a first-year college mathematics instructor position.
For aspiring preschool or kindergarten math teachers, a degree in Early Childhood Education will suffice as a prerequisite for obtaining a teaching certificate. For elementary and middle school mathematics teachers, a degree in mathematics, applied mathematics, interdisciplinary studies with a specialization in mathematics, or primary education with a specialization in mathematics are the most common requirements for mathematics teachers to obtain a teaching certificate. However, those who already have a bachelor’s degree, from any program, and wish to switch careers to mathematics teaching, may need to enroll in a state-approved graduate degree in teaching before taking a certification exam. For example, in New York State, a graduate degree from an approved teacher preparation program is required initially, along with a passing grade on all assessment tests to obtain certification. Some states also have GPA preferences, as in New York, a minimum GPA of 2.5 is required from the bachelor’s program. Most US states also require PRAXIS or a pre-professional skills test before, during, or after a teacher training program.
For those who will be in college and planning to pursue a math teaching career, each state has an accredited teacher preparation program for each level of education, elementary or high school. For those who are already in college and want to join a teaching career, education courses plus hours of practice are required. One must fulfill the semester hours in basic subjects of mathematics plus other basic pedagogical competences.
For math teachers planning to migrate from one state to another, the alternative path to teacher certification is often called interstate reciprocity. One should check with the state office of education for inter-state equivalent subjects and the specific requirements of math teachers. Some teaching certificates or national mathematics teacher tests may have the honor of replacing assessment or proficiency tests in the subject.
For foreign teachers who want to teach math in the US, math teacher requirements often require that they undergo a degree equivalency check. There are state agencies that take care of this, verifying if the foreign teacher’s bachelor’s degree is comparable to an American bachelor’s degree. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores may also be required for aspiring teachers who come from countries where English is considered a second language. In Arizona, a TOEFL score of at least 84/120 is required for certification applicants. Apart from that, the foreign teacher must also have a valid work visa, J-1 or H1-B, a contract or recommendation from the hiring school, and a verification letter of consent from the state Board of Regents.
