Some states such as Texas, which faces a shortage of 40,000 teachers, allow teachers to come into the classroom with a two-year degree. As a general rule, it is a good idea for a student to go to school in the state he wishes to work in. That is especially true in this case as states that certify teachers with a two-year degree will be actively preparing students for the classroom while two-year programs in other states may be preparing students for early-childhood education or for further education.
Some states have programs that allow individuals to teach while working on their teaching certification. This is especially true in areas such as math, science, language and technology. Students who already have significant background in the area they hope to teach stand the best chance of being accepted into these programs. In Massachusetts, for example, would-be teachers are required to pass two tests in order to qualify, but passing these tests by itself will not guarantee a job. Only the other qualifications on a prospective teacher's resume will do that. The National Center for Alternative Certification has information on a variety of programs nationally.
In many states, community or junior colleges offer two-year associate degrees or certifications. While these may not always allow students to become fully qualified teachers in the state, they are usually transferable to state universities. Even in places where a two-year degree is not enough, students may be able to get teaching-related jobs, such as classroom assistants, tutors or early-childhood educators, while working on the second two years of their degree.
Individuals who already have a four-year education and want to become teachers should look into master's degree programs. These programs add the skills necessary to teach to their existing education. Obtaining a master's degree will qualify a student to teach just about anywhere, and greatly enhance her career and earning potential. There are a number of schools, including the University of Phoenix, the University of Southern California and Western Governors University, that offer master's degree programs though online classes.