* Elementary School Teacher: Most require a bachelor's degree, which is 4 years of college.
* Secondary School Teacher: Also usually requires a bachelor's degree (4 years), but often with a focus on a specific subject area.
* Post-Secondary/College Professor: Requires a master's degree (often 1-2 years beyond a bachelor's) or a doctorate (typically 4-7 years beyond a bachelor's) depending on the institution and position.
In addition to the degree, all levels typically require student teaching or other practical experience. So while the *degree* might take 4 years for K-12, the total time commitment to be fully qualified can be longer.