Become a Teacher in Connecticut

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Teaching in Connecticut Snapshot

$78,810Secondary School Teacher Salary
$76,740Elementary School Teacher Salary
$18,958Public School Spending Per Student

All career and salary information pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics pupil expenditure information was provided by Governing

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06145
(860) 713-6500

Explore Featured Degree Options in Education

Featured Online programs
University Name Type of Program Learn More Program Description
University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching Learn more about USC Rossier The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.
Fordham University Master of Science in Teaching Learn more from Fordham University Fordham University’s online Master of Science in Teaching program prepares aspiring teachers (grades 1-6) for initial teaching certification or dual certification in teaching and special education.
Vanderbilt University Master of Education in School Counseling Learn more about Vanderbilt Peabody Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.

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Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Connecticut

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. (Last update: 11/28/2018)

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Prerequisite Coursework in Connecticut

All states require that certified teachers have at least a Bachelor’s degree. In addition, Connecticut candidates must successfully complete a state-approved educator program of general academic and professional education at a regionally accredited college or university.

 

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Connecticut Teacher Certification Programs

Teacher Certification Programs can be taken online or on-site. They typically include an educational theory and classroom skills seminar and a fieldwork component of student teaching in the area. A list of accredited teacher preparation programs can be found on the Connecticut Department of Education website.

 

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Required Tests for Connecticut

Connecticut requires the Praxis I Core academic skills tests in reading, writing and mathematics and the Praxis II Subject Test for your subject area to show subject area competence. Foreign Language teachers are required to complete the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency Assessments.

You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms' Ultimate Guide to the Praxis Exams and read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.

Initial Teaching Certifications

To become certified as a teacher in Connecticut, you will need to complete the appropriate number of college credit hours, a teacher preparation course, and the standardized tests specified below. If you have a teaching credential from another state, you may be able to use an interstate reciprocity program to become certified in Connecticut. Visit the Connecticut Department of Education Bureau of Certification page to learn more about getting your Teaching Credential in Connecticut.

Connecticut has three levels of certification: the Initial Educator Certificate (3 years), the Provisional Educator Certificate (valid for 8 years), issued after at least  10 months of “appropriate successful teaching experience” in a Connecticut public school or 30 months of equivalent experience elsewhere, and the Professional Educator Certificate (renewable every 5 years), issued after at least 30 months of successful teaching in a Connecticut public school and completion of additional course requirements.


Learn more about getting your teaching credential on Teach.com.

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Discover an 8-week Online Teaching Short Course from Harvard's Bok Center

Learn more about an 8-week short course from Harvard's Bok Center

Earn recognition of your ability to develop and deliver a memorable teaching experience when you receive a premier certificate from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX, upon successful course completion.

Learn more about an 8-week short course from Harvard's Bok Center

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Alternative Certification in Connecticut

Connecticut offers the Alternate Route to Teacher Certification, a program created in 1988 to encourage career professionals to join the teaching workforce. The program requires a Bachelor’s degree with a major in the desired subject. The program can be taken either full-time in the summer, or on weekends between October and May.

The Troops to Teachers program provides an alternative route for veterans who would like to transition to a teaching career.

Connecticut Teacher Certification Information & Links

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Transferring Your Certification

Certification Reciprocity in Connecticut

Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. Connecticut, however, does not have reciprocity with any other state. Connecticut does participate in the  National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement (NIA). Under this agreement, it can waive specific coursework requirements and accept completion of a state-approved educator preparation program at a regionally accredited college or university from another state, or a minimum of 30 months of successful full-time experience under the other state’s valid educator certificate (at least equivalent to a Connecticut Initial Educator Certificate).

More information about this arrangement can be found on the Connecticut Department of Education website. For more specific questions about your situation, contact the Connecticut Department of Education.

To find out what other state teaching licenses can be used in Connecticut, check out our Teacher Certification Reciprocity page on Teach.com.

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Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in Connecticut

Connecticut Teaching Jobs

Connecticut participates in the REAP (Regional Education Applicant Placement) service, a national educator recruitment program. To start looking for teaching jobs in Connecticut, visit CTREAP.

Learn more about finding a teaching job on Teach.com.

Connecticut Teacher Salary and Incentives

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average teacher in Connecticut makes $69,397 per year. Connecticut is one of the highest paying states to teach in, although it does not provide any additional pay for teaching in high-demand districts or school subject.

Learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.

Connecticut Teacher Benefits and Retirement

Connecticut maintains a program called Teachers Retirement Board (TRB), which administers the state retirement program and aims to provide teachers with the best pension benefits. Connecticut teachers can retire at age 60 after 20 years of service, or at any age after 35 years of service (25 of which must have been in Connecticut). Early retirement is possible at 55 after 20 years of service, or at any age after 25 years of service (20 of which must have been in Connecticut).

Learn more about benefits for teachers on Teach.com.

Connecticut Teacher Shortage Areas

The United States Department of Education defines a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) as a subject matter or grade level within a state in which there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary teachers. The shortage may be caused by teaching positions that are unfilled or are filled by teachers who have temporary certification or teach in in an academic subject other than their area of preparation.

According to a report by the USDE Office of Postsecondary Education, Connecticut has the following Teacher Shortage Areas:

  • Bilingual Education (Pre-K–Grade 12)
  • Mathematics (Grades 7–12)
  • Occupational Subject, Vocational Technical Schools
  • School Library Media Specialist
  • Science (Grades 7–12)
  • Special Education Speech and Language Pathologist
  • Technology Education (Pre-K–Grade 12)
  • TESOL World Languages (Grades 7–12)

Financial Aid in Connecticut

Connecticut residents are eligible for the Applegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship, as well as the TEACH Grant, which gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need school.

Learn more about how to finance your Master's degree on Teach.com.

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Career Advancement

Professional Development for Connecticut Teachers

The Connecticut Department of Education is strongly committed to professional learning. Specific professional development goals are set at the district level, although a minimum of 18 hours annually is required. More information can be found on the Connecticut Department of Education’s Professional Development page.

Benefits of a Master's Degree in Connecticut

It is no longer enough to just have years of experience in teaching. After No Child Left Behind and other academic quantification measures, the careers of teachers increasingly depend on their results in the classroom. A master's degree in the field of education can give you more educational theory and classroom skills, as well as more hands-on student teaching experience with a mentor. After a Master’s program, you will be able to achieve better results in the classroom and have more job security and higher pay.

Teachers with a Master’s degree typically receive a higher salary than their counterparts without one. According to the CONNCAN Teacher Database, on the average, a teacher with a Master’s degree makes $4,000 more than one with only a Bachelor’s degree.

Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.

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Explore Featured Program Options in Education

Featured Online programs
University Name Type of Program Program Description
University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.
Fordham University Master of Science in Teaching The online Master of Science in Teaching program prepares aspiring teachers (grades 1-6) for initial teaching certification or dual certification in teaching and special education.
Harvard University Advanced Certification in Teaching The 8-week Teaching and Learning Strategies for Higher Education online short course is delivered by Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX. Students in this course will engage deeply with the most relevant research on effective teaching methods in the higher education context, while refining their own practices, portfolio, and teaching philosophy.
Vanderbilt University Master of Education in School Counseling Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.