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Teaching in Utah Snapshot
$61,050
Secondary School Teacher Salary
$ 60,660
Elementary School Teacher Salary
$ 7,179
Public School Spending Per Student
All career and salary information pulled from theBureau of Labor Statistics2019 pupil expenditure information was provided byGoverning
250 East 500 South
PO Box 144200
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200
(801) 538-7500
University of Southern California (USC)
USC Rossier School of Education
info
Master of Arts in Teaching online
The Master of Arts in Teaching online (MAT online) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares aspiring teachers for diverse and high-needs educational settings and can be completed in as few as 12 months.
- Fieldwork placement
- Complete in 12-36 months
- GRE scores not required
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Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Utah
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: 02/21/2019)
1
Prerequisite Coursework in Utah
As in most states, teacher education programs in Utah are comprised of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. Coursework often includes instruction on foundational knowledge, skills, and teaching methodology, as well as preparation in researching, designing and implementing learning experiences in various fields of study. Fieldwork includes classroom observation, student teaching, or internships.
Generally, a bachelor’s degree isthe minimum requirement for teachers to become certified. Some specialty areas do require teachers to complete a specific number of hours in particular courses. A full list of the requirements to add a license area of concentration to an existing teaching license are hosted on theUtah State Board of Education website.
2
Utah Teacher Certification Programs
To teach in Utah, individuals can complete a teacher education program from an accredited college or university. A list of accredited teacher preparation programs in Utah can be found on theUtah State Board of Education website.
3
Required Tests for Utah
For initial licensure, Utah requires applicants to pass the Praxis tests related to their certification area. A full list of the tests required by the certification area is available onthe website of ETS, which administers the Praxis examinations. In addition, educators moving from a Level 1 certification to Level 2 must pass at least one Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching test as part of the Early Years Enhancement program (this requirement may change with the new 2020 licensing structure).
You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms’Ultimate Guide to the Praxis Examsandread more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.
Initial Teaching Certifications
Utah is updating its licensing structure in July of 2020. What were previously known as level 1, 2 , or 3 standard licenses will now be a Professional Educator License. There will be an Associate Educator License instead of an Academic Pathway to Teaching license.
Variousareas of concentration can be added to the license based on the grade level and/or population with which you will be working. If you already possess a valid teaching credential from another state, you may be able to earn your Utah teaching credential through interstate reciprocity.
Learn more about earning your Utah teaching credential at theUtah State Board of Education website.
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Discover an 8-week Online Teaching Short Course from Harvard’s Bok Center
Harvard University
Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning
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Higher Education Teaching Certificate
Deepen your understanding of higher-order teaching practices and broaden your skill set while creating a unique and inclusive strategy for your specific context.
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Alternative Certification in Utah
Individuals with bachelor’s degrees in subjects other than education who have not earned a teaching certificate can receive an alternative teaching certificate by meeting specific state requirements via the Alternative Routes to Licensure. The state of Utah recognizesAmerican Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence certificationas one alternative route to receiving Utah teacher certification. Utah also participates in theTroops to Teachers program, which enables eligible ex-military personnel to teach on a temporary license while completing licensure requirements. Additionally, if you already possess a valid teaching credential from another state, you may be able to earn your Utah teaching credential through interstate reciprocity.
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Transferring Your Certification
Certification Reciprocity in Utah
The state of Utah accepts teaching credentials from other states if the applicant has met all Utah requirements. Contact theUtah State Board of Education in regards to your specific situation.
To find out what other state teaching licenses can be used in Utah, check out ourTeacher Certification Reciprocitypage on Teach.com.
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Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in Utah
Utah Teaching Jobs
Teachers looking for work in Utah can find up-to-date listings of teaching vacancies and other available education jobs throughTeach Utah, a branch of the national recruitment website Teachers-Teachers.com. After registering for a free membership, job seekers can browse open teaching positions by school and specialty. Members can also post and submit applications, as well as receive email notifications when jobs that match specific criteria become available. Teaching positions are updated on a daily basis by local school districts.
Learn more about finding ateaching jobon Teach.com.
Utah Teacher Salary and Incentives
According to 2019 data from theBureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for teachers in Utah was around $60,000 to $62,000 depending on grade level taught. Salary will vary by specific location, years of experience, and more.
Learn more aboutteacher salarieson Teach.com.
Utah Teacher Benefits and Retirement
The Utah Retirement System (URS) administers Utah teachers’ retirement and insurance benefits. Coverage differs according to members’ tiers. Consult URS for specific information on benefits and requirements.
Learn more aboutbenefits for teacherson Teach.com.
A teacher shortage area is defined bythe U.S. Department of Education as “an area of specific grade, subject matter or discipline classification, or a geographic area in which … there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary school teachers.” The Department allows states to identify their own teacher shortage areas, but encourages them to follow a prescribed methodology based on unfilled teaching positions, teaching positions filled by instructors with irregular certifications, and positions filled by teachers certified in other subject areas.
- Mathematics
- Special Education
Financial Aid in Utah
Teachers in Utah who are interested in pursuing their Master’s in Teaching, but require financial aid to do so should considerComplete Student Loans, a non-profit organization associated with the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority, which is governed by the Utah State Board of Regents. Math for America is another non-profit committed to improving STEM education in the United State, partially by offering educators fellowships and scholarships. Utah residents are also eligible for theTEACH Grant, which offers financial aid to students in return for their service teaching in high-needs schools. Additionally, as theNational Board for Professional Teaching Standards points out, universities themselves may provide graduate-level credit to teachers pursuing certification or a master’s degree.
Learn more abouthow to finance your Master’s degreeon Teach.com.
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Career Advancement
Professional Development for Utah Teachers
The Utah State Board of Education maintains a webpage onProfessional Learning, which includes professional development opportunities for teachers in the state. TheUtah State Office of Education Content Areas andUtah Education Network Professional Development both offers classes for professional development credits.
Benefits of a Master’s Degree in Utah
It’s no longer enough to have years of experience in teaching. After the No Child Left Behind Act, the Every Student Succeeds Act, and other academic quantification measures, teachers’ careers are increasingly dependent on the results they achieve in the classroom. A master’s in the field of education can give you more educational theory and classroom skills, as well as greater hands-on student teaching experience with a mentor. After a master’s program, you may be able to achieve better results in the classroom, may have more job security, as well as thepotential for higher pay.
Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.
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University of Southern California (USC)
USC Rossier School of Education
info
Master of Arts in Teaching online
The Master of Arts in Teaching online (MAT online) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares aspiring teachers for diverse and high-needs educational settings and can be completed in as few as 12 months.
- Fieldwork placement
- Complete in 12-36 months
- GRE scores not required
Harvard University
Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning
info
Higher Education Teaching Certificate
Deepen your understanding of higher-order teaching practices and broaden your skill set while creating a unique and inclusive strategy for your specific context.
infoSPONSORED
Last Updated May 2020