Teaching is one of the most rewarding and influential careers you can choose. Teachers shape future generations, strengthen communities and create lasting impact in students’ lives. If you’re considering becoming a teacher in Virginia, it’s important to understand the steps to get started — and how earning an associate degree can set up your success.
Whether you want to work with young children, guide high school students toward college or support learners with special needs, you’ll need the right educational foundation. A strong two-year education program — like Northern Virginia Community College’s Associate of Science in Education — will prepare you to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree so you can become a teacher in Virginia.
Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Virginia
Becoming a teacher in Virginia means meeting state education requirements, gaining classroom experience and earning your teaching license. While you can start your career in certain education roles with a two-year education degree, most lead teaching positions require a four-year degree.
Here’s how to become a teacher in Virginia:
- Earn a degree in education: Starting with a two-year education degree is a smart, affordable way to begin your journey. You’ll be able to transfer to a four-year program or, in some cases, qualify for roles such as substitute teacher or paraprofessional. Either way, you’ll save on tuition by completing your first two years at a community college.
- Complete your practicum hours: Practicums give you the opportunity to grow your classroom management skills before leading a class yourself. In your practicum, you’ll apply instructional strategies and strengthen your communication skills in an actual classroom setting.
- Transfer to a four-year program: Most positions require you to have a four-year degree before you can become a teacher. You may also choose to continue your education to expand your knowledge and deepen your expertise to create additional career opportunities.
- Pass required assessments: To become a teacher in Virginia, you must pass Praxis exams specific to your content area and grade level. Education programs should prepare you for these exams and help you understand what’s required for licensure in your field.
- Apply for your Virginia teaching license: Once you’ve completed your education and passed the required Praxis exams, you can apply for licensure through the Virginia Department of Education. This is your final step before you can legally begin teaching in Virginia.
With your license in hand, you're eligible to teach in schools across the state.
Starting With a Two-Year Education Program
All teachers in Virginia hold either a bachelor's degree or a specialized two-year credential for limited teaching roles. Education programs at the associate level give you a strong foundation in teaching while preparing you for specific jobs or for transfer to a four-year college. Two-year programs are a great option if you want to start working in education roles related to teaching in elementary, middle and some high school settings.
But, starting with a two-year degree isn’t just about quickly becoming a teacher in Virginia. You might also begin with an associate degree as a cost-effective path to a four-year program, since your per-credit tuition will be less. After completing your bachelor’s degree, you’ll hold the same credentials as students who began at a four-year institution, but at a significantly lower cost.
Job Options With a Two-Year Education Degree
While you must have a bachelor’s degree for licensure as a lead teacher in PK-12 public schools, you can pursue education-related roles that support licensed teachers and contribute meaningfully to the lives of students. Here are some of the career opportunities available with a two-year education degree:
- Preschool teacher: Lead your own classroom and teach young children core subjects.
- Special education aide: Work with students with disabilities or learning challenges in inclusive settings.
- Teaching assistant: Support teachers by helping with classroom management and instructional activities.
- Substitute teacher: Teach on a short-term basis while ensuring lesson outcomes and continuity.
- Childcare center staff: Work with children in after-school or day-care programs.
Now is an excellent time to learn how to become a teacher in Virginia. According to Lightcast, a labor market analytics firm, 1,052 teaching-related jobs are available in Virginia with starting salaries ranging from $36,000 to $49,000. While you need a bachelor’s degree to become a lead teacher, NOVA’s two-year education degree will prepare you to seamlessly transfer to a four-year college or university, helping you stay on track for full licensure
Transferring to a Four-Year College
As we’ve shared, if you’re looking to teach high school or enter full-time, licensed teaching roles, a bachelor’s degree is required. If you plan to pursue a four-year degree, make sure your associate degree program is designed for seamless credit transfer. NOVA, for example, has agreements in place so you can make a smooth transition.
- Articulation agreements: This agreement between NOVA and four-year programs guarantees that credits from NOVA will transfer to other colleges. With an articulation agreement, you can follow a clear academic path and have peace of mind, knowing your credits will count toward your bachelor’s degree.
- Guaranteed admission agreements (GAAs): This type of program takes articulation agreements a step further by guaranteeing admission, in addition to credit transfer, if you meet specific requirements. With NOVA’s GAAs, you can plan your education knowing you have a direct pathway to your next college.
Whether you plan to transfer or begin working after NOVA, you’ll have the essential skills you need that prepare you for what’s next.
Skills You’ll Need in a Teaching Career
Becoming a teacher in Virginia isn’t just about credentials and Praxis exams – you’ll need to develop a wide range of skills to be effective in the classroom. From managing student behavior to communicating with families, here are some of the skills needed to become an outstanding teacher:
- Understanding of child and adolescent development
- Classroom management
- Lesson planning and preparation
- Knowledge of learning theory and instructional methods
- Awareness of ethical and legal teaching standards
- Commitment to inclusive and equitable teaching practices
The right classes from the right program will help you build these skills. At NOVA, you can add to your teaching toolbox through courses like:
- Human Growth and Development: Get an overview of the physical, cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional growth and development of human beings with a focus on birth to adolescence, emphasizing how environmental and hereditary factors influence development.
- Introduction to Human Communication: Examine the elements that shape communication in individual, small group and public settings, with an emphasis on building practical communication skills for the classroom.
- Teaching in a Diverse Society: Examine how identities, backgrounds, values and beliefs impact teaching and learning, and develop an understanding of culture, race, ethnicity, religion, learning abilities, gender and sexual orientation in an inclusive educational context.
- Classroom and Behavioral Management: Develop skills for creating a positive and productive learning environment, focusing on methods for addressing diverse student needs and promoting collaboration.
- Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders: Explore the characteristics of autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions, covering assessment criteria and intervention strategies to support students in educational settings.
Why Choose NOVA to Begin Your Teaching Career?
Choosing NOVA comes with advantages you won’t find everywhere, from affordability to support. If you’re starting your teacher’s journey here, you’ll benefit from: