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Become a Teacher in Kansas
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Teaching in Kansas Snapshot
All career and salary information pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statisticspupil expenditure information was provided by Governing
KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Landon State Office Building900 SW Jackson Street
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-3201
Explore Featured Degree Options in Education
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 Kansas
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: 02/06/2019)
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Prerequisite Coursework in Kansas
All states require that prospective teachers have at least a Bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program to receive certification. Some states also have specific course and credit-hour requirements.
Teacher education programs generally consist of two elements—curricula and fieldwork. Curricula generally include instruction on teaching fundamental skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching) and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. Fieldwork often includes field observations, internships, student teaching or a combination of all three. Check with your teacher preparation program or the Department of Education for more information about specific requirements.
Kansas does not list specific course or credit hour requirements, but every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher preparation program or the Department of Education for more information.
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Kansas 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 in Kansas can be found on the Kansas Department of Education Preparation Programs and Institutions page.
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Required Tests for Kansas
Most states require tests to show competency in Basic Skills, as well as in the desired Subject Area. Kansas requires only the Praxis II: Subject Tests in your specialty area and the Praxis II PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching) test.
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 earn your Kansas teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. Kansas issues three types of license: Initial (for a teacher’s first 2 years), Professional (requiring a performance assessment and valid for 5 years), and Accomplished (valid for 10 years; teachers must have achieved National Board Certification® from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards). Visit the Kansas Department of Education Teacher Licensure and Accreditation page to learn more about getting your Kansas teaching credential.
Learn more about getting your teaching credential on Teach.com.
Discover an 8-week Online Teaching 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.
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Alternative Certification in Kansas
Kansas offers a Restricted Teaching License Alternative Pathway, designed to help career professionals with the appropriate prerequisite coursework easily transition to teaching. The restricted license allows professionals to teach in secondary level content areas or at all levels in certain subject areas while working towards applying for a full Kansas teaching license. Veterans may also be eligible for the Troops to Teachers program.
Kansas Teacher Certification Information & Links
- Kansas Department of Education
- Kansas Department of Education – Teacher Licensure and Accreditation
- Kansas Public Employees Retirement System
- Kansas Teaching Jobs
Transferring Your Certification
Certification Reciprocity in Kansas
Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. To find out which other state teaching licenses can be used in Kansas, visit the Teach.com reciprocity page. Or, for more specific questions about your situation, contact the Kansas Department of Education.
To find out what other state teaching licenses can be used in Kansas, check out our Teacher Certification Reciprocity page on Teach.com.
Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in Kansas
Kansas Teaching Jobs
The Kansas Education Employment Board maintains the Kansas Teaching Jobs website. It provides teachers with up-to-date open teaching positions, allowing them to apply online.
Learn more about finding a teaching job on Teach.com.
Kansas Teacher Salary and Incentives
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average teacher in Kansas makes $47,984 per year. Salaries in Kansas vary by county and school district. You can find more information on Kansas teacher salaries on the Kansas Department of Education website.
Learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.
Kansas Teacher Benefits and Retirement
The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) was established in 1961 for all Kansas public employees, which includes teachers. Depending on what tier their retirement plan falls into, members may retire as early as 55 if they have at least 10 years of service, or at age 65 with 5 years of service. Kansas offers teachers other benefits such as health care, dental care, annual and sick leave, surviving spouse support and job promotion opportunities.
Learn more about benefits for teachers on Teach.com.
Kansas 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 academic subject other than their area of preparation. According to a report by the USDE Office of Postsecondary Education (Pg 64), Kansas has the following Teacher Shortage Areas:
- Special Education
- Gifted
- Visually Impaired
- Speech/Language
- Mental Retardation
Financial Aid in Kansas
Kansas 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.
Career Advancement
Professional Development for Kansas Teachers
Kansas’ Professional Development plans include goals to continually educate teachers and ensure they have the most current knowledge and skills to best educate students. Kansas’ Professional Development goals and ideas are explained more thoroughly on the Kansas Department of Education Professional Learning page.
In order to renew a professional license, teachers must complete 120 Professional Development Points if they hold an advanced degree and 160 Professional Development points without an advanced degree. In addition, the Kansas State Board of Education adopted the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning which replace the NSDC Standards for Staff Development. More information on these standards can be found at Learning Forward.
Benefits of a Master's Degree in Kansas
It is no longer enough to just have years of experience for 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 will 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 may be able to achieve better results in the classroom and have more job security and higher pay.
Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.
Explore Featured Program Options in Education
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's Bok Center | 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. |
Sponsored Program