how to become an online tutor without a degree: People without a college degree can now work as tutors using various websites. What’s even better is that many of these options allow you to teach students online, making it very convenient for teachers to connect with students no matter where they are in the world.
In this article, we will explore how you can become a tutor, even if you don’t have a college degree.
What are The Requirements to Become a Tutor?
To start tutoring, you may need different qualifications depending on the platform and subject. Many tutoring websites require instructors to have a high school diploma, subject-specific certification, or a GED (General Educational Development test). For example, teaching English online may require a TEFL certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), while other language tutors might need a similar background.
However, some platforms are more flexible and don’t require prior certification. They are open to giving everyone an opportunity to become a tutor, regardless of their background or expertise.
Now, let’s explore some online platforms where tutors can find work without having a university degree.
Also read: How to become a substitute teacher without a degree (4 Steps)
Platforms were you can teach online without a degree
Here are some websites that can be a good place to begin if you want to work as an online tutor. They don’t ask for a bachelor’s degree but keep in mind there might be other conditions you need to meet before they accept your application. [How to Become an Online Tutor Without a Degree]
Here are 5 online platform were you can teach online without any degree:
- Preply
- Tutors.com
- Wyzant
- Revolution Prep
- Knowledge Roundtable
1. Preply
Preply is a website where students can connect with online tutors for various subjects, languages, and hobbies. The good thing is, that you don’t need any special certification or teaching experience to become a tutor on Preply. The key is to have a strong understanding of what you’re teaching. However, for specific subjects, having a teaching certification or a qualification that shows your expertise might be required. If you enjoy sharing knowledge, creating personalized lessons, and making a positive impact on students’ lives, you’re welcome to join Preply.
2. Tutors.com
Tutors.com connects students with tutors for various subjects based on the student’s age, skill level, and location. To work as a tutor on Tutors.com, you don’t need a bachelor’s degree, but you should have at least a high school diploma or a GED (General Educational Development test). This means you can help students with things like math or music without having a university degree.
Also read: How to become an editor without a degree (7 Steps)
3. Wyzant
Wyzant helps students find the perfect tutor by letting them chat with potential tutors through a simple messaging tool or connect with recommended tutors. To start working with Wyzant, tutors only need to be in the US and have a social security number; no formal qualifications are required. This means you can help students even without having specific certificates or degrees. [How to Become an Online Tutor Without a Degree]
4. Revolution Prep
Revolution Prep is a website where students can get small group or one-on-one tutoring for high school subjects. While it’s not a must, having a bachelor’s degree is recommended if you want to work as a tutor there. Also, keep in mind that tutors work full-time, so they need to commit to a set schedule and undergo 150 hours of training each year. This might mean less flexibility, but it provides job security and helps tutors stay updated on their teaching skills.
5. Knowledge Roundtable
The Knowledge Roundtable website is a place where students can connect with tutors for the subjects they need help with. Teachers can create lessons related to their subject in exchange for advertising space to attract students. Unlike some other platforms, Knowledge Roundtable doesn’t require any certification or specify a location to start tutoring. However, since it’s not as popular as other sites, it might be a bit harder for tutors to find new students.
Also read: How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree(7 steps)
How to become an online tutor without a degree
Even if you’ve never tutored before, you can still get a job as an online tutor. What’s important is to highlight the skills, background, and qualifications you already have when you apply on a tutoring platform. Think of it like a job interview where you need to show why you’re a good fit for the position.
In this section, we’ll guide you on how to become a tutor without any prior experience.
- Deep Knowledge in Your Field
- Highlight relevant experiences
- Think about obtaining a certification.
1. Deep Knowledge in Your Field
If you aim to tutor in engineering, languages, or any hobby-related subject, it’s crucial to have a good understanding of your chosen subject. Even if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you should showcase your expertise in the subject. The key is to find a way to share your knowledge and prove to your students that you’re a great tutor.
If you’re a native English speaker, that’s already a significant advantage for teaching English online. Teaching in your native language is valuable, even if you lack previous teaching experience or formal training.
In your teaching profile, make sure to showcase how you gained expertise in different areas. Even if you weren’t formally teaching, use your real-world professional knowledge in that field. For instance, a former software engineer can share a lot of practical experience, even in their very first session. [How to Become an Online Tutor Without a Degree]
2. Highlight relevant experiences
Naturally, having more teaching experience gives you an advantage over your rivals. It makes it easier to find work as an online tutor and improves the quality of the instruction you offer.
If you don’t have experience in this area, think about other types of teaching experience you can highlight. For instance, working or volunteering at an international summer camp could show your ability to keep kids engaged. Providing training at a company would demonstrate your ability to explain concepts in a clear and effective way.
You can improve your chances of getting your first clients and gaining real online tutoring experience by selecting experiences that closely match the skills needed to be an excellent online tutor.
3. Think about obtaining a certification.
If you want to teach a language, having a certification that shows your skill in that language is important. Tests like the TCF for French and the Cambridge English exam are necessary to prove your proficiency, and there are accredited certifications available for all major languages. On the other hand, you can obtain a TEFL certification in just a few weeks, which not only qualifies you to demonstrate your readiness but also gives you a foundation in language instruction.
Similarly, for other subjects, having any official qualification will help showcase your knowledge, even if it’s not a bachelor’s degree. Free online courses in various areas are available from sources like the UK’s Open University and platforms like Udemy, although these may not be certified courses.
Popular courses include UNSW Sydney’s “Learning to Teach Online,” the University of Michigan’s “Leading Ambitious Teaching and Learning,” and the University of Illinois’ “New Learning.” [How to Become an Online Tutor Without a Degree]
While formal qualifications are not a must for tutoring, the pay for online tutors can vary widely, with qualifications being a significant factor.
Getting started as an online tutor today
You can definitely start working as an online instructor even if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree or any previous teaching experience. The key to success is being passionate about your student’s progress and success. Now is a great time to learn how to teach online without a degree. Invest in your knowledge of the subject and take steps to enhance your skills. You can still create a strong portfolio that attracts students and teaching platforms without needing a degree.
Conclusion
In conclusion, working as an online tutor without a degree is totally doable. Many platforms offer opportunities for people without a formal education. The main things you need are a good understanding of what you’re teaching, some relevant experiences you can talk about, and sometimes, certificates to show you know your stuff.
Even though you don’t have to, having extra qualifications might impact how much you get paid. Overall, if you love teaching and are committed to helping your students succeed, you can definitely get started on this path.