How to Become a Teacher in Connecticut

Want to become a teacher in Connecticut? Discover what education, experience, and certification you need to make it happen.
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  • The standard route to becoming a teacher in Connecticut involves completing a state-approved educator prep program.
  • You'll need at least 10 continuous weeks of full-time student teaching experience.
  • Connecticut also requires aspiring teachers to pass skills and knowledge assessments.
  • Compared to national averages, teachers earn significantly higher salaries in Connecticut.

In May 2023, the Connecticut Examiner reported that Connecticut school districts faced an immediate shortage of 1,300 teachers. The state has especially high needs for STEM, foreign language, and special education teachers.

If you're wondering how to become a teacher in Connecticut, an online bachelor's in education is a great place to start. However, you can follow other paths to be able to teach in this state. Keep reading to learn about the different options for starting — or maintaining — your career in education in the Constitution State.

Popular Online Teaching Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

How Do You Become a Teacher in Connecticut?

Your path to Connecticut teacher certification will unfold across four main steps. The process begins with your college education and concludes with your certification application.

1. Earn Your Bachelor's Degree

The most common path to Connecticut teacher certification involves completing a state-approved educator prep program. Approved programs typically lead to a bachelor's or master's degree in education. You can study as a generalist or specialize in a field like early childhood education, bilingual education, or special education.

To check a program's standing, research it with the Connecticut government's Bureau of Certification. The agency maintains an updated list of approved educator preparation programs in Connecticut.

Connecticut also offers alternate paths to certification based on full-time professional teaching experience. But you'll still require a relevant bachelor's degree to qualify.

2. Gain Student Teaching Experience

Connecticut's state-approved educator prep programs involve student teaching components. These requirements help you gain valuable experience in live classroom settings.

Under state regulations, you need at least 10 continuous weeks of full-time student teaching experience to qualify for Connecticut teacher certification. You must acquire this experience under the direct supervision of a fully trained and certified teacher.

You must also complete at least 12 semester credits of an approved educator prep program prior to your student teaching experience.

3. Take Required Certification Tests

You must pass assessment tests in your desired teaching subject and grade level to earn certification. The following providers offer tests in various endorsement areas to aspiring teachers in Connecticut:

  • ETS: Praxis II, Praxis Core
  • Pearson: Early childhood, foundations of reading, reading specialist
  • ACTFL: World languages, English proficiency, listening and reading computer adaptive

CSDE requires teachers to pass an endorsement assessment specific to their area of expertise. Endorsement categories include:

  • Educational leadership
  • Middle/secondary arts, English, and humanities
  • Middle/secondary science and mathematics
  • Unified arts/special subjects (preK-12)
  • World languages
  • Early childhood, elementary education, special education and remedial reading/language arts

4. Apply for Certification

After meeting all your education, student teaching, and exam requirements, you'll be ready to submit a formal application for Connecticut teacher certification. The Connecticut State Department of Education's Bureau of Certification oversees this process. The certification application functions like a final verification of your qualifications.

Pro tip: Don't delay your application. The Bureau of Certification cannot prioritize or expedite requests. Instead, prepare and submit your materials as soon as you've completed all the eligibility requirements.

What's the Career Outlook for Teachers in Connecticut?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects little to no change in nationwide demand for teachers from 2022-2032. It projects an employment growth of 1% for K-12 teachers. That growth rate projection extends to kindergarten and elementary teachers, middle school teachers, and high school teachers.

However, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor, Connecticut is projected to outpace national trends — by a good bit. The CTDOL projects that jobs for teachers in Connecticut will grow by 7.3% from 2020-2030.

How Much Will You Make as a Teacher in Connecticut?

According to Teach Connecticut, which is backed by the Connecticut State Department of Education, the state's certified teachers earn a median salary of $81,185.

The BLS publishes role-specific salary breakdowns, which are summarized in the chart below. On the whole, Connecticut teachers significantly outearn their counterparts in other U.S. locales, earning over $10,000 more per year than the national average teacher salary.

Mean Annual Salaries for Connecticut Teachers
Job Title Mean Annual Salary
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers $84,580
Middle School Teachers $82,600
Secondary School Teachers $80,230
Special Education Teachers (Elementary) $81,330
Special Education Teachers (Secondary) $84,590
Source: BLS

Becoming a Teacher in Connecticut: Career Profile

Mean Salary (2022)
$79,740

Job Growth
+7.3%

New Jobs
8,933

Note: Job Growth and New Jobs stats are based on data from 2020-2030 projections.
Source: Connecticut Department of Labor and TEACH Connecticut

Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching Certification in Connecticut

How long does it take to become a teacher in Connecticut?

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The Connecticut teacher certification process will take 4-5 years if you follow the standard route. This involves completing a bachelor's degree in education, passing your exams, and applying for your certificate.

You can also follow an alternate route to certification. This involves a nine-month certification-only program. You'll need at least a bachelor's degree to qualify.

How do you get teaching certification in Connecticut?

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CSDE requires you to complete a bachelor's degree and educator preparation program to qualify for certification in Connecticut. Additionally, you must gain at least 10 weeks of student teaching experience and pass certification exams in your endorsement area.

Can you teach in Connecticut without certification?

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You must have Connecticut teacher certification to work as a full-time classroom teacher in any of the state's public schools. Connecticut private schools may or may not require a teaching certificate: Private institutions set their own qualification standards.

Can you teach in CT without a master's degree?

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Yes, you can become a certified teacher in Connecticut with only a bachelor's degree. However, many professional educators go on to earn advanced degrees over the course of their careers. They then can pursue leadership positions outside of the classroom.


Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed February 16, 2024.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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