A few days ago
N B

If I have a bachelors degree in a field unrelated to education, what would I need to do to become a teacher?

For example, if I had a Bachelors in Liberal Studies or in Social Science, and I wanted a career change into teaching, what would I need to do?

I know I need to be certified eventually, but is it just a matter of getting a Masters degree in Education/teaching, or would it be something like me having to go back and take the necessary courses to get another bachelors degree, this time in elementary or secondary education?

Thanks for any info you can pass along.

Top 7 Answers
A few days ago
SMicheleHolmes

Favorite Answer

It kind of depends upon which state you live in (or want to teach in) – each state has different rules about teacher certification. Some require a masters, but most only a bachelors degree, but ALL require certification thanks to the No Child Left Behind laws. Well, not necessarily certified before you can begin, but you should at least meet “highly qualified” requirements.

One route is to obtain a masters degree that includes certification. The education department at any university should be able to help you out with this one, as well as steer you towards the best major.

Another route is to obtain alternative certification. These programs are designed for people who have bachelors degrees that are not in education but who want to become certified to teach. They provide you with the “coursework” you need in the field of education to pass the certification tests. Certification tests also vary by state, so that’s something you need to check into as well, but typically involves taking a test in a subject area and grade level (so for you probably social studies, but you need to decide what grade level range) and a teaching as a profession test (laws, methods, etc.).

Best thing to do is do an online search for the certification agency in your state and find out what you need to do.

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A few days ago
yancychipper
It depends on what state you live in. In Texas we have an alternative teaching certificate program. Those who already have a Bachelors degree my qualify for teacher certification through their Regional Educational Service Centers. In San Antonio it is Region 20.

1 Edinburg ,2 Corpus Christi ,3 Victoria ,4 Houston ,5 Beaumont, 6 Huntsville, 7 Kilgore ,8 Mt. Pleasant, 9 Wichita Falls, 10 Richardson ,

11 Fort Worth ,12 Waco ,13 Austin ,14 Abilene ,15 San Angelo ,16 Amarillo ,17 Lubbock ,18 Midland ,19 El Paso, 20 San Antonio

This is a state supported program. You will become a “real” teacher. Just Google Education Service Center if you are in Texas. If you are not in Texas, contact your state education agency to see if they offer a similar program. Good luck, we can always use more good teachers.

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A few days ago
violamom74
This may be as simple as calling your local Board of Education and speaking with the recruitment specialist. I was hired under a provisional liscence, and the state of Maryland looked at my credits. They decided what I needed to take in order to become certified. I took that list to my Grad School meeting and asked them to incorporate classes into my Master’s program so that I could get certified as well. They did and I finish my Master’s in the Spring and have been teaching for 7.5 years.
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A few days ago
Dazcha
In Australia, you could get a Graduate Diploma of Education, which would allow you to teach in an area related to your original degree (in your example, you could become a social studies teacher).

You should check to see if there’s a similar thing where you are.

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A few days ago
jateef
Whether you go to a BA or MA program depends on a few things…

It depends on:

– the state where you want to get certified.

– if you want to teach elementary or secondary.

– what courses you’ve already taken.

Your best bet is to contact the education department at your local university, bring in your transcripts, and have them advise you.

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A few days ago
Anonymous
You need to take the Education courses a given state requires, plus a Praxis exam by grade and course and maybe you have to student teach.

Figure about nother year of work.

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A few days ago
Anonymous
Texas has education centers that help people that wish to teach. Contact them or google any of the region centers. I am unfamiliar with other states.
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