Generally, however, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree, and often a master's degree is preferred or even required for certain positions or to advance in your career.
* Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor's degree in education (B.Ed.) or a bachelor's degree with a teaching certification program is typically a 4-year program. Some universities also offer combined programs that allow you to earn a subject-specific bachelor's degree (like history or math) *and* your teaching certification simultaneously, still taking around 4 years.
* Master's Degree: A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) or a Master of Education (M.Ed.) can take an additional 1-2 years after completing a bachelor's degree. This is often required for advancement in many school systems or for specialized teaching roles.
In summary: Plan for at least 4 years for a bachelor's degree leading to teaching certification. Adding a master's degree adds another 1-2 years. Some programs can compress this timeline, but 4-6 years is a realistic expectation for most.