1. Bachelor's Degree: Most countries require teachers to have a bachelor's degree in education or a related field. This typically takes around four years of full-time study.
2. Student Teaching: During the final year of your bachelor's degree, you'll usually complete student teaching, where you gain hands-on experience in a classroom setting.
3. Teaching Credential or License: After completing your bachelor's degree and any required student teaching, you'll need to obtain a teaching credential or license. The specific requirements for this vary by country and state.
4. Master's Degree: Some countries and states may require teachers to have a master's degree in education or a related field. This typically takes around two to three years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree.
So, in total, the number of college years needed to become a teacher can range from four (bachelor's degree) to seven (bachelor's degree + master's degree).
It's worth noting that the specific requirements and timelines may differ depending on your location and the specific certification requirements for teachers in your country.