Teaching Programs in Nevada
Though Nevada still has room to grow in its educational structure, the state boasts two of the highest paying cities for teachers in the U.S., even with the cost-of-living factored in. Teachers in Reno are paid at a rate of 2.7 times the cost of living for a single person, with teachers in Las Vegas being paid 2.77 times the same.
If you’re a motivated teacher who wants to guide change—and wish to live in a state that pays teachers decently and has a little something for everyone to enjoy—Nevada may be the perfect place for you.
How Can I Get a Teaching Degree in Nevada?
Below you’ll find everything you need to know about how to become a teacher in Nevada—a diverse and growing state with a mixture of urban, suburban, and rural schools.
Traditional Pathway to Becoming a Teacher in Nevada
Many people choose to become a teacher by following the steps of a traditional pathway, which means that they must:
Becoming a Teacher through Alternative Certification or as a Career Switcher
Nevada knows that people often change careers for many different reasons, so they also provide an alternative route to licensure (ARL). These candidates must:
All candidates must apply for a license through the Nevada Department of Education’s Online Portal for Application for Licensure (OPAL) and submit all required supporting documentation.
Career and Technical Education Teacher Certification in Nevada
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs provide instruction for grades 7-12 in the real-world skills needed to work in various industries. A CTE license allows an educator to teach these specific subjects.
CTE teachers must have a bachelor’s degree and complete a course in the methods and materials of teaching a field of specialization. They must also accrue three semester hours in career development and work-based learning, three semester hours in management of pupil organization, and a minimum of one year’s verifiable work experience in the area of their endorsement.
Nevada also offers a Business and Industry (BI) endorsement, which requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus verified employment for at least five years in a position related to the subject being taught.
Teachers Moving to Nevada from a Different State
Teachers who move to Nevada and want to continue their career must undergo a criminal background check and meet all of the requirements for academic preparation—including student teaching and teaching experience—as well as passing all required exams.
Nevada also has reciprocity for teachers currently holding valid, non-provisional and non-conditional licenses from other states. In most cases, Nevada will waive the testing requirements and instead allow the state Department of Education staff to evaluate teachers on a license-for-license basis.
Out-of-state teaching applicants must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, copies of scores from any relevant testing completed within the previous five years, copies of all teaching licenses and professional certificates, and a copy of a valid driver’s license, passport, or military ID.
Average Salaries and Projected Job Growth for Nevada Teachers
Clark County, Nevada, alone faced a shortfall of 750 teachers in 2019—in fact, teachers were in short supply throughout the entire state. As a result, school districts are increasing their recruiting efforts and developing mentorship networks, with legislature working to improve pay. Projected job growth is significantly higher than the national average of 3% to 4% for elementary and middle school teachers, which means that there may be more opportunities for you to find work in Nevada than in many other states.
Although Nevada’s major cities aren’t the most inexpensive places to live, the state is more affordable than neighboring California, as well as many other states.
| Career | Average Salary | National Job Growth |
| Elementary School Teachers | $56,970 | 14% |
| Middle School Teachers | $58,460 | 14% |
| Secondary School Teachers | $57,910 | 14% |
| Postsecondary Teaching | *$69,728 | Varies |
Salary data from Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job Growth Data from Career One Stop
*Averaged from all postsecondary salaries
Teacher Training Programs in Nevada
The State of Nevada Department of Education has identified the colleges and universities that grant degrees and meet their standards for teaching programs within the state. Here are just a few:
Great Basin College (Elko)
Great Basin College (GBC) offers a variety of opportunities within its teacher education programs, encompassing Bachelor of Arts degrees in elementary education and secondary education, post-baccalaureate routes to licensure in elementary and secondary education, and associate degrees and certifications in early childhood-related fields.
Nevada State College (Henderson)
Nevada State College (NSC) is home to 5,500 students. The School of Education offers nine bachelor’s degrees, ranging from general elementary education to specific secondary subjects and speech pathology. It also offers three post-baccalaureate certificates and a Master of Education degree in speech-language pathology. If you are majoring in a different topic but would like to minor in education, they have an option for you as well.
Touro University Nevada (Henderson)
Education students at Touro University solely pursue degrees beyond the bachelor’s level, participating in Master’s in Education, Doctor of Education, parental involvement and family engagement licensure programs, and flexible advanced studies courses.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada in Las Vegas (UNLV) is a top public research university located near the Las Vegas strip. It offers more than 300 majors, including dozens of education programs from the bachelor’s degree through doctoral levels. If there is something you want to teach or a subject you are particularly passionate about—such as multicultural education—this school likely offers a program for you.
Nevada Teacher Resources
Whether you’re just starting your teaching program or already qualified and working in education, the following resources may prove useful:
