Education

Become a K-12 Teacher

Education pathways

Education options

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  • Where are you starting?
    • High school diploma or GED
    • Some College (no degree)
    • Associate or Bachelor’s Degree
  • What can you do at PCC?
    • PCC Coursework or Associate Degree
    • PCC Coursework or Associate Degree
    • PCC Classes Required for Admission to Teacher Prep Program
  • What’s your end goal?
    • Transfer to University to Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Teacher Preparation Program*
    • Transfer to a university to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in subject area then complete a Master’s Degree Teacher Preparation Program*

To become a licensed teacher in Oregon, you will need to meet these requirements:

  • Earn a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university.
  • Completion of a TSPC (Teacher Standards and Practices Commission)-approved teacher preparation program (bachelor’s or master’s degree) at a four-year university, including a student teaching experience.
  • Obtain a teaching license through the state of Oregon’s TSPC (Teacher Standards and Practices Commission). Students in a teacher preparation program at a university will be guided through this process. For more information about becoming an educator, refer to the FAQs at the TSPC website.

Portland Community College is a great place to start your education career. You can earn credits towards an Associate degree to transfer to a four-year university. Not only will you save money on the first two years of your education, but you will also enjoy small class sizes with instructors who will know your name and are dedicated to your learning.

Steps for deciding your education pathTeacher helping a young student

  • Decide your career goal
    • Are you interested in teaching elementary, middle school, high school, SPED? The elementary education license and secondary education license (for teaching at the middle school and high school level) have different requirements.
    • Tips for career exploration: take ED100, gain hands-on experience as a paraeducator or volunteer in a school.
  • Choose the best teacher preparation program for you
    • Research transfer university options.
    • This can take time! Questions to consider: What modality do you want to take classes (in-person, online, remote, hybrid)? How long will it take to complete the program? How much is the cost of the tuition and fees for the program?
  • Determine the classes at PCC that you need
    • Meet with the university’s admissions advisor to discuss the classes you need to take at PCC that are required for the teacher preparation program. Provide your unofficial transcript to the advisor to help with evaluating remaining course requirements.

Still have questions?

Financial planning for the cost of college

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  • Financial Aid
  • Scholarships
  • Grow Your Own Pathways: These are tuition-supported pathways for working and future culturally diverse employees of local school districts to become licensed educators. For more information, fill out the Future Educator intake form. Participating school districts (SDs) and organizations include:
    • Multnomah Educators Rising (Multnomah county): David Douglas SD, Gresham-Barlow SD, Parkrose SD, Centennial SD, Reynolds SD, Multnomah ESD, Latino Network, Oregon Association of Black School Educators.
    • TeacherConnect (Washington county): Forest Grove SD, Beaverton SD, Hillsboro SD, Sherwood SD, Beaverton Black Parent Union, Adelante Mujeres, Mente, Centro Cultural, NAYA.
  • Rise to Teach program (PCC-PSU tuition-supported pathway program for students who plan to be K-12 teachers)
  • Oregon Teacher Scholars Program (for students currently in or will begin a licensure program for teaching, school counseling, social work, or school psychology)
  • TEACH Grant (U.S. Department of Education)