Can I Take the Praxis Without an Education Degree?

May 10, 2016

You can definitely take the Praxis without an education degree! Usually the test is taken before graduating from a teacher preparation program. Praxis test results are part of teacher certification requirements in many states. But there are lots of paths to becoming a teacher! If you don’t have an education degree and aren’t currently pursuing one, don’t worry, you can still take the Praxis.

Do I need to take the Praxis?

First, check and see if you need to take the Praxis or not. If you don’t want to become a licensed teacher, then you probably don’t need to take the Praxis. If you do want to become a licensed teacher, a bachelor’s degree in education isn’t necessarily required, but in many states, a passing score on the Praxis is required. Check and see if your state requires the Praxis to become a teacher.

What skills does the Praxis measure?

The test measures skills that test designers, “believe that a newly licensed or certified teacher should know to perform his or her job competently.” So, if you are planning to take your test near the end of your teacher preparation program, you will likely have learned all you need to know during your program. You probably just need to brush up a bit and you’ll be good to go!

Can I take the Praxis without an education degree?
Is it possible to do well on the Praxis without an education degree?

If you are coming to teaching by a different path, you’ll want to study a bit more before taking the Praxis to make sure you have a handle on the teaching skills the Praxis assesses. You also want to make sure that you are preparing well when it comes time to invest in test fees. Since you don’t have the benefit of a teacher preparation program or other education-focused studies, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to study and feel ready for the test.

It’s totally possible to study hard, take the Praxis without an education degree, AND score well! I took the Praxis during an alternative certification program and received a Recognition of Excellence Award for my score. I don’t say that to brag (okay, maybe just a little! 😉 ), but to point out that with some time and preparation, doing well on the Praxis is possible regardless of your background.

Author

Allison White

Allison is an Early Childhood Educator who has been a teacher since 2010. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2010 with a degree in Psychology, focused in Child Development. She began her teaching career as a 2nd grade teacher in Washington, D.C. After moving to Denver, Colorado she discovered a passion for Early Childhood Special Education. She earned a Master’s in the subject from University of Colorado Denver in 2015. She spent Spring 2016 teaching pre-service early childhood educators at the undergraduate level. Now she and her husband are on a big adventure travelling around the western United States in an RV!

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Comments

12 responses to “Can I Take the Praxis Without an Education Degree?”

Pat Klossman

August 2, 2019

Hope you can help me! I am a licensed speech therapist in PA.working with the 0-3 yr old population. I am looking to work with 3-5 yr olds and was told I need a teacher certification from the PA Dept of Education. How would I get certified? Thanks

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  August 5, 2019
  
  Hi Pat,
  
  Everything you need to know can be found on the PA Department of Education website. Hope this helps! 🙂
  
  Reply
Debbie Donze

October 15, 2019

I read you can take the praxis without an education degree. I have a non accredited education degree for a Christian college. If I studied and passed the praxis test, would I be a licensed teacher?

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  November 1, 2019
  
  Hi Debbie,
  
  This would depend on the regulations and licensing rules in your state. I recommend that you reach out to your state education office for more information!
  
  Reply
MB

January 5, 2020

Hi! I am a doctor residing in Malaysia. I do cardiac ultrasound which also involves Physics as a subject. I plan to do some teaching in the US in future. I am not affliated to any state in the US as yet.
In my situation, I need a teaching licensing certificate from the US. Is PRAXIS the way to go? Which test should I take?.
Really appreciate your help in this and thanks for your time

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  February 7, 2020
  
  Hi there,
  
  This really depends on where you plan to teach. Each state has different requirements, and school districts may have their own requirements as well. You should contact the school board or state department of education where you plan to teach for more information about their requirements.
  
  Reply
Noah

February 21, 2020

Hello,

I am currently in my last semester of undergrad (I go to Rutgers) and I will graduate in May with a BA in Political Science. I want to pursue teaching social studies to Middle School students. I have no prior education or intern experience in Education whatsoever. Is there still a chance for me to take the Praxis exam and be able to become a social studies teacher? Which exam would be best to take and when would be the best time for me to take the exam, before I graduate in May 2020 or after I graduate?

Thanks a bunch

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  March 6, 2020
  
  Hi Noah,
  
  The answer to this question really depends on where you want to teach. As we mention in this blog post, there are many paths to becoming a teacher. I would recommend checking with your local school districts to better understand their requirements and explore your options. Good luck, and congrats on your impending graduation!
  
  Reply
carrie

February 24, 2020

If I have a masters in Early Childhood Education, but now want to teach elementary school (above 3rd grade) do i need to take the praxis to qualify me to teach those higher grades?

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  March 6, 2020
  
  Hi Carrie,
  
  The best way to get an answer to this question is to contact your local school district office to learn about their requirements. This will vary between states and districts, so the best way to find this information is to go straight to the source! Good luck 🙂
  
  Reply
Jess

November 30, 2020

Hi there,

I am also a non-traditional student interested in earning my certification in early childhood education. I have taken your word from past posts to explore what the local school districts expect for their incoming teachers… I would like to know more about the amount of time that is ideal to spend studying for the praxis… would a month, 3 months, or possibly as long as 6 months be best? I just want to be able to gauge the time I would need. I have an educational background in kinesiology with my bachelor’s focused on pre-physical therapy and a minor in psychology. I would love to teach special ed students because the skills they develop would enhance their physical and psychological needs, and help them to thrive in childhood and later young adulthood. I had the opportunity of respite caring for a global developmentally delayed client, a young 17-year-old girl, whose positive outlook on life always left me so encouraged and thankful that she could be in my care. I was honestly very sad when I had to say goodbye to her my last year of undergrad! I would greatly appreciate any advice or input you would have for me as I move forward in my career! Thank you 🙂

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  January 15, 2021
  
  Hi Jess, it sounds like you are a a passionate and committed future teacher, and it’s great to hear your story! There is no “one size fits all” answer to this question–some students can study in just a few weeks, while some might take up to six months to adequately prepare. This depends on how much you already know, how quickly you learn, how well you take tests, and how much time and energy you commit to your studies. I generally recommend a three month study period for students who are taking a new standardized test, but you can check out the information in this blog post for some more specific recommendations. Good luck!
  
  Reply