Become a Teacher in Maryland

Step One: Maryland Prerequisite Coursework

All states require that certified teachers at least have a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Maryland, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.

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Master’s Requirements

Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.

The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.

Learn more about getting your MAT online with our partner USC Rossier School of Education.

Step Two: Maryland Teacher Preparation

In Maryland, prospective teachers are required to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. Visit the Maryland State Department of Education’s Program Approval page for additional information.

While involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. Find more scholarships for teachers exclusive to the State of Maryland, visit our Maryland Teacher Scholarships page.

Alternative Certification

Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. For more information, Click here for information about earning your alternative certification in your state. Contact MDE’s Certification Call Center at 410-767-0412 or 866-772-8922.

Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often include instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching) and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.

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Step Three: Maryland Required Tests

The Maryland State Department of Education requires that all teaching candidates complete and pass a basic skills assessment and one or more content tests in their specific certification area(s).

Basic Skills Assessment: Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)

Maryland accepts the following test scores in lieu of PPST:

Step Four: Maryland Application Requirements

The state of Maryland Maryland Public Schools offers potential teachers several routes to becoming certified for in and out-of-state teaching candidates with varied degrees of education.a comprehensive “how to” guide for becoming a certified teacher in the state of Maryland, offering a step-by-step process tailored to a candidate’s individual circumstance. Visit the Maryland State Department of Education’s Applying for Certification page for more information on how to apply for a Maryland teacher certification.

Background Check

Fingerprint clearance and background checks are administered through the individual hiring schools, not on a state level.

Applying for Maryland Teaching Jobs

The state of Maryland Job Openings website provides teaching candidates with access to listed job vacancies throughout the Maryland Department of Education. Applicants are able to register and create a profile, upload their contact information and credentials, and search and apply for both “open” and “closed” positions within the Maryland State Department of Education.

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Maryland Certification Reciprocity

Maryland will accept teaching credentials from other states. Contact the Maryland State Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.

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Maryland Teacher Salary

• Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Maryland provides differential pay support for teachers teaching in high-needs schools or teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
• Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Maryland has induction policies which include professional development, training and mentoring programs.
• Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $67,340
• Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $69,070
• Average Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15

Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

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Maryland Certification Resources & Links

• Maryland State Department of Education

200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
410-767-0100

• Teachers Test Prep: Free online Praxis Study Guides and Praxis Practice Tests, and a variety of preparation options to meet your individual needs, including prep classes, private tutoring, and online prep.
• Maryland Teacher Tenure
• Troops to Teachers Maryland: In Maryland, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Mid-Atlantic Region Office
• Maryland Substitute Teacher Requirements
• Maryland Job Openings