College Degree

• In Iowa, as in all U.S. states, you have to complete a Bachelors degree before you can become a teacher. Typically, students take an education-based degree such as a BS in Child Development or an MS in Education. Degrees typically take three or four years to complete. In Iowa, universities offering education or child-based degrees include Ashden and Walden University. To gain the best teaching roles, you should undertake extracurricular activities such as voluntary work or sports alongside your studies. These demonstrate that you are a well-rounded person.
  
  

National Board Certification Awards

• Once you have completed your college degree, you are eligible to apply for National Board Certification Awards. The National Board Certification is designed and implemented by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standard: a certification program that measures the quality of teachers' teaching practice. Every year, approximately 550 Iowan teachers gain National Board Certification. Each state offers a grant of $1,250 from the United States Department for Education to enable first-time candidates to enter the National Board Certification award. Many education degree programs include the National Board Certification qualification as part of the program.
  
  

Endorsement Requirements

• As well as your National Board Certification Award, you need to take Iowa certification endorsement requirements. The endorsements you need vary depending on the age range you want to teach. For example, if you want to teach small children, you need to gain an Elementary Licensure, and to teacher older children you need a Secondary Licensure
  
  

Advanced Degrees

• In Iowa, an advanced degree is not a necessity to become a qualified teacher. However, if you have a Masters or a PhD degree, then you may qualify for a strong benefits package and high levels of responsibility, giving you the opportunity to make a real difference in the growth and development of the Iowan education system. As well as an advanced qualification, you need knowledge of resource management, ethical leadership and an up-to-date understanding of teacher theories.