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Upon becoming an educator, many certifications are available to help expand an educator’s content knowledge. For example, high school teachers can choose to teach Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. To become certified to teach AP or IB classes, teachers typically complete a two-to three-week AP training course or attend professional development (PD) IB workshops, making these certifications relatively accessible. In higher education, professors generally require at least a master’s degree in their respective fields. However, certain disciplines, such as Accounting, Nursing, and Law, also require professional licensure. For example, law professors must obtain a bar license before teaching. Other areas of education, such as Special Education, require additional qualifications. Special education teachers must complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP), pass the required GACE exams, and complete coursework on “Exceptional Children” (Skov, 2026). Once all of the steps above are completed, one can apply for their special education certificate.
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K-12 educators are held to different standards than those in higher education. Susan Kahn points out that, because of No Child Left Behind in 2002, K-12 educators are trained not only in their content areas but also in instructional methods and must demonstrate teacher readiness throughout their careers, beginning in undergraduate education. In contrast, college professors typically complete graduate programs focused on their field of expertise before entering the classroom. Understanding the different certification pathways can help future educators determine which career path best fits their professional goals.
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Current job postings illustrate how these qualifications apply in practice. An Interrelated Teacher position at Peachtree Middle School in DeKalb County requires candidates to meet certification requirements in areas such as Special Education, ESOL, Gifted Education, and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE). By comparison, an Assistant Professor of Social Work or Human Services at Kennesaw State University requires an applicant to hold a Terminal degree in a related field, along with the appropriate clinical license. Although these positions serve different educational settings, both demonstrate that becoming an educator requires specialized training, professional credentials, and a strong commitment to continued learning.
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