Classroom Instructors: How to Become One

If you were to ask a group of classroom instructors about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.

That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.

The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for classroom instructors to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of classroom instructors expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.

Keep reading to learn more about career steps for classroom instructors.

What Education & Experience is Needed for Classroom Instructors?

Do classroom instructors need a degree? What kind of experience do classroom instructors typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for classroom instructors to secure jobs.

Education Level Required in Job Postings for Classroom Instructors

A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of classroom instructors. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 37% of positions. In 30% of job listings a High School diploma or GED was required and in 17% of postings a master's degree was required.

Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Classroom Instructors

While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for classroom instructors. In 48% of job postings for Classroom Instructors, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 40% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 10+ years of experience was sought in 8% of job postings for classroom instructors.

What Kind of Degree Do Classroom Instructors Need?

So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for classroom instructors, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?

According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 17 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective classroom instructors, and in 2023 a total of 31,589 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.

Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective classroom instructors.

Top Degree Programs for Classroom Instructors

Top Online College For Working Adults

Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.

Degree Options for Classroom Instructors

What Skills Do Classroom Instructors Need?

Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by classroom instructors to secure a job?

A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for classroom instructors, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.

In-Demand Skills for Today's Classroom Instructors
Based on 1,381 job postings

Based on 1,381 job postings related to classroom instructors, special education was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 97% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for individualized education programs (iep), lesson planning, curriculum development, disabilities and classroom management were also highly sought.

As for common skills, teaching was the most desired skill found in job postings for classroom instructors, followed by communication, planning, writing, progress reporting and mathematics.

Additional Links

Ready to dig deeper into career information about classroom instructors? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for classroom instructors.

What do classroom instructors do?
How much do classroom instructors make?

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