How Do I Become a Business Education Teacher?

A business education teacher will instruct students on the principals of business, budgeting, advertising, writing business plans, and anything else pertaining to the successful operation of a business. In order to become a business education teacher, you will need to do a bit of research about certification requirements in your region. Decide first what level you want to teach: the requirements to become a business education teacher at the high school level will be different than the qualifications necessary to teach at the college level. You will, of course, need to complete a high school and college education yourself.

While some exceptions to the rule exist, you will probably need to earn a business degree from an accredited college or university in order to become a business education teacher. Some people have a proven successful track record in business, and these people may be able to secure a teaching position without the formal education, but this is rare. Most people will need a college degree in business, finance, or even accounting in order to become a business education teacher, and other qualifications may be required as well. A teaching credential, for example, will be required if you want to teach at the high school level.

The requirements for teaching certification can vary by region, but it is likely that you will need to either take part in a teacher training program or complete all the required coursework on your own. If you attend college to get a business degree, you may be able to minor or double major in education, which is a great way to prepare yourself for certification and, ultimately, teaching in a classroom. You may be able to do a student teaching internship in which you will job-shadow a professional teacher. This is sometimes a requirement for certification, which means you will have a much easier time completing certification if you go through such coursework.

Teaching at the college level will usually require you to have exceptional experience in the field of business, or a post-graduate degree such as a master's or PhD. It is possible to teach at the college level with just a bachelor's degree, but your business experience will need to be exceptional in order for you to be considered for such a position. Some teachers, for example, may not have formal education, but they may have built businesses from the ground up and exhibited exceptional success in those businesses.