Become a teacher in Idaho

Become a teacher in Idaho through Boise State Teacher Education! We offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs that lead to teacher certification in Idaho, as well as fully online options. Teacher education programs at Boise State offer high-quality clinical practice opportunities led by faculty and mentor teachers who provide feedback, support and guidance though the teacher preparation process.

Undergraduate programs to become a teacher
Graduate programs to become a teacher for those who already have an undergraduate degree – no previous teaching experience or teacher education required
Add-on endorsement options for teachers who have already earned certification

We offer a variety of programs to help you attain your professional goals from earning a teaching certificate to adding an endorsement.

Use the guide below to select the program that best fits your current career path.

How do I become a teacher?

You can earn your teaching certification through our undergraduate programs, online and one-year graduate programs, or add an endorsement if you’re already a teacher. Select from the choices below based on your individual path.

I don't have an undergraduate degree and would like to become a teacher

Whether you are entering university for the first time or are transferring credits from another institution, Boise State offers a range of undergraduate programs for many types of teaching professions.

Review the “Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs” table below.

I have an undergraduate degree and would like to become a teacher

If you already have an undergraduate degree and would like to become a teacher, Boise State offers three Master In Teaching (MIT) programs that leads to both teaching certification and a master’s degree in one year. No previous teaching experience or education degree required.

Review the “Graduate Teacher Education Programs” table below.

I'm already a teacher and would like to add an endorsement

If you already have teaching certification and would like to add an endorsement in a particular area, Boise State offers a variety of classes to help meet the content area requirements.

Review the “Programs that Lead to Endorsement” table below, or visit the “Adding an Endorsement in Idaho” page.

Adding an Endorsement in Idaho

Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs

Bachelor’s Degree + Teaching Certification

Boise State Teacher Education offers seven programs in the College of Education, and 23 secondary education programs across the university’s other colleges. Three of the seven College of Education undergraduate programs are considered “dual certification” which means a graduate earns recommendation for certification for two separate Idaho endorsements.

Type of Teacher	What Type of Classroom Would I Teach?	Undergraduate Program Name	Idaho Endorsement
Early Childhood	The "Early Childhood" teacher typically works with students in early childhood programs. They are also able to teach up to grade 3, so they sometimes teach in elementary classrooms between kindergarten to grade 3.	Blended Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education	Blended Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special (birth to grade 3)
Elementary	The "Elementary" teacher is certified to teach from kindergarten to grade 8. Because elementary teachers are eligible to teach up to grade 8 they can teach in middle schools as long as they also have the content area endorsement.	Elementary Education	All Subjects (K-8)
Elementary and Early Childhood	The "Elementary" teacher is certified to teach from kindergarten to grade 8. The "Early Childhood" teacher typically works with students in early childhood programs. They are also able to teach up to grade 3, so they sometimes teach in elementary classrooms between kindergarten to grade 3.	Early Childhood Special Education and Elementary Education	Dual Certification: 1) Blended Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special (birth to grade 3), and 2) All Subjects (K-8)
Elementary and English as a Second Language	The "Elementary" teacher is certified to teach from kindergarten to grade 8. The "English as a Second Language" teacher can teach English as a Second Language from kindergarten to grade 12 students.	Elementary Education and TESOL	All Subjects (K-8) English as a Second Language Endorsement *can add Bilingual Education Endorsement (Spanish only)
Elementary and Special Education	The "Elementary" teacher is certified to teach from kindergarten to grade 8. The "Special Education" teacher can teach students eligible for special education services from kindergarten to grade 12. In Idaho, special education teaching certification includes all types of exceptionalities.	Special Education and Elementary Education	Dual Certification: 1) Exceptional Child Generalist (K-12), and 2) All Subjects (K-8)
Secondary (Middle or Junior High, or High School)	Secondary education content areas determine what subjects graduates will be eligible to teach. For example, a Mathematics, Secondary Education graduate will be eligible to teach math classes at middle and high school grade levels.	Secondary Education	Standard Instructional Certificate with endorsements in: English, World Languages (Spanish, French, English), History, American Government, Economics, Art (6-12 OR K-12), Music, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Earth Science, Natural Science, Theatre, or Computer Science
Special Education	The "Special Education" teacher can teach students eligible for special education services from kindergarten to grade 12. In Idaho, special education teaching certification includes all types of exceptionalities.	Special Education	Exceptional Child Generalist (K-12)

Graduate Teacher Education Programs

Master’s Degree + Teaching Certification

Do you already have an undergraduate degree and are thinking of becoming an teacher? Boise State College of Education provides a wide range of options to become a teacher through the Master in Teaching (MIT) in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, P-8 Special Education and Special Education programs. No previous teaching experience or education degree required, and graduates of the MIT programs earn both teaching certification and a master’s degree.

Type of Teacher	What Type of Classroom Would I Teach?	Graduate Program Name	Idaho Endorsement
Elementary	The "Elementary" teacher is certified to teach from kindergarten to grade 8. Because elementary teachers are eligible to teach up to grade 8 they can teach in middle schools as long as they also have the content area endorsement.	MIT, Elementary Education	All Subjects (K-8)
Secondary (Middle or Junior High, or High School)	Secondary education content areas determine what subjects graduates will be eligible to teach. For example, a Mathematics, Secondary Education graduate will be eligible to teach math classes at middle and high school grade levels.	MIT, Secondary Education	Standard Instructional Certificate with endorsements in: English, World Languages (Spanish, French, English), History, American Government, Economics, Art (6-12 OR K-12), Music, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Earth Science, Natural Science, Theatre, or Computer Science
Special Education P-8 Special Education or K-12 Special Education	The "P-8 Special Education" teacher can teach students eligible for special education services from kindergarten to grade 8, as well as students ages 3-5 years old in early childhood special education settings. The "K-12 Special Education" teacher can teach students eligible for special education services from kindergarten to grade 12. In Idaho, special education teaching certification includes all types of exceptionalities.	MIT, Special Education This program is 100% online.	Exceptional Child Generalist K-8 with an Early Childhood Special Education endorsement Exceptional Child Generalist (K-12)

Programs that Lead to Endorsement

Certificate + Endorsement

If you already have teaching certification and would like to add an endorsement in a particular area, Boise State offers a variety of classes to help meet the content area requirements.

Type of Teacher	What Type of Classroom Would I Teach?	Program Name	Idaho Endorsement
Literacy	Current teachers who want to enhance their literacy teaching.	Graduate Certificate in Literacy Instruction	Literacy Endorsement
Online Teacher	In-service teachers who are currently teaching online in a virtual school setting.	K-12 Online Teaching Endorsement	K-12 Online Teaching Endorsement

If you would like to add an endorsement not listed in the table above, visit our “Adding an Endorsement in Idaho” page.

Adding an Endorsement in Idaho

All College of Education Programs

The College of Education offers programs from undergraduate to doctoral, providing a lifetime of professional growth and opportunities. Our programs include a variety of enrollment options from traditional classrooms to fully online. Our fully online programs allow students to take classes from the Treasure Valley, across rural Idaho, nationally and internationally.

Explore our programs