OVERVIEW
What Is a Business Teacher?
A business teacher is someone with a background and passion for business who applies their experience to education. They teach primarily high school and post-secondary-aged students at high schools, colleges, universities, and other post-secondary education programs.
They are as much business enthusiasts as they are educators. A business teacher might have a background in accounting, marketing, human resources, or advertising. It’s likely that they have some specialized work experience in a field within business administration, in addition to their undergraduate and graduate degrees.
While they may be most well-versed in one specialty, business teachers are trained to teach the multiple industries and principles that fall under the blanket term of business.
Most can empathize that teaching is one of the most rewarding yet grueling careers. Business teachers, like all teachers, are those who have a passion for the educational development of students and are eager to better the lives of others by sharing their expertise.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Business Teacher Do?
Business teachers teach the basic elements of business to students in a middle school, high school, or post-secondary setting. They are well versed in the mechanics of teaching, including planning curricula, delivering lectures, researching material, writing assignments, and grading.
For college and university students, business teachers can be instrumental in helping them find a field of study and even a life-long career path.
Some of the most common responsibilities for a business teacher include:
- Teach courses on marketing principles, business operations, and business finance
- Improve your students' knowledge of best modern business practices
- Teach topics like basic economics, resume writing, facts about business careers, account checking, computers, the stock market, accounting, and finance
- Hold seminars and lectures
- Monitor grades, grade papers, and perform other administrative duties
- Write grant proposals to gain funding for further research
- Create projects designed to enhance understanding
- Integrate competencies, goals, and objectives into lesson plans
- Utilize curricula that reflect the diverse educational, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds of the students served and businesses explored
- Develop professional relationships with other agencies and programs and foster internship opportunities for students
- Tutor students on an individual basis as needed
- Advise students about which classes to take and how to achieve their goals
How Long Does it Take to Become a Business Teacher?
Because many opportunities for business teachers require an advanced degree, the typical timeframe to become a business teacher is 5 to 7 years. Following your graduation, you will be required to obtain credentials or licenses for high school education positions. You may be required to spend a number of years in the business field in order to obtain a business teaching position at a college or university.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How to Become a Business Teacher?
At a minimum, business teachers need an undergraduate degree in business with state-specific credentials and some sort of industry experience. Most states will require at least a bachelor’s degree in order for alternative routes to licensure for careers in the classroom. High school and middle school teachers can obtain a teaching license with a bachelor’s degree and licensure requirements.
Following a bachelor’s degree, those interested in teaching college courses or leading a teaching department will require a master’s program like the online Master’s of Business Administration or the Master’s of Science Management and Leadership.
As with most teaching roles, a teaching license is required in addition to your degrees. Depending on the state you live or teach in, these licensures and credentials can vary. If you are interested in teaching college students, an advanced degree is often required, and in some states, might replace the need for a teaching credential.
Best Degrees for a Business Teacher
Business
Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
Management and Leadership – M.S.
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and...
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and leading teams:
- Time: 60% of graduates can finish in 17 months.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that this program will teach you:
- Leadership
- Management
- Coordinating
- Communications
- Performance Management
- Planning
Develop a comprehensive suite of leadership skills and your confidence to navigate changing business structures.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
How Much Does a Project Manager Make?
$60,320
The median salary for high school teachers is $60,320, according to the BLS. The median salary for post-secondary educators is $80,790 per year but can vary greatly depending on institution and tenure.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
4-9%
High school teacher roles are projected to grow 4%, which is on track with the national average for all occupations, according to the BLS. Rising student enrollment numbers following the coronavirus pandemic could lead to this number increasing.
Post-secondary teachers are projected to see a 9% growth, more than double the national average for all occupations. This growth varies by field, with business being one of the most sought-after degrees nationwide.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Business Teacher Need?
Like all teachers, a business teacher requires a genuine interest in leading their students to understanding and growth. Business teachers would ideally find fulfillment in preparing and delivering lectures, analyzing problems with students, researching business trends to share in their lessons, and be constantly learning in the business field.
Business teachers should have a base knowledge of general subjects like arts and humanities, education, math, science, and, of course, business.
Some skills needed include:
- Business industry knowledge
- Writing and researching abilities
- Public speaking and lecture skills
- Technical knowledge to use and teach business software
- Punctuality and an ability to stick to a deadline
- Compassion and empathy
- Patience and dedication
- Resourcefulness
- An interest in current events and evolving business news
- Problem-solving abilities
Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long
No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
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