Those trying to give the best advice will recommend that you get your masters before job hunting. In most states you will need that master’s degree or its equivalent very soon after you start teaching. In most states you can only get temporary teaching certification without a master’s degree or equivalent.

That means working and taking course work at night … if available …. and/or going to summer school …. with all the year round schools now… working on a master’s degree during the summer is not always an option.

The “new” No Child Left Behind law that require districts to have “highly qualified” teachers is another reason that you may find it easier to get a job with your master’s degree in hand.

If you are financially able, go ahead and get your master’s degree after you do your student teaching or internship. Additional hours beyond your bachelors will not adversely impact your ability to find a job.

As reality checks:

I am a recently retired teacher. I taught for 40 years. I have a master’s degree and 98 additional graduate hours.

Getting a job teaching history in high school or junior high will be easier if you are qualified to coach a sport.

Since you have a background in psychology you might want to consider a master’s degree in counseling.

A lot of times with obtaining your master’s degree you have to apply the theories you study in class and then report back on them. That is hard to do if you don’t already have a teaching position. Also, getting your master’s while you are teaching opens your eyes to new ideas to try in the classroom. You probably already have a lot of ideas just from the years you have already put into school, and it is very easy to confuse yourself with what you want to do if you have too many ideas at one time. You have to continue your education regardless of what degrees you start your career with, so why start off with a master’s? I suggest starting your teaching career with a bachelor’s degree and then going after your master’s degree after you have been teaching for a year or so. It is harder to get a master’s while working just because of the time involved with both, but it is doable.

Something you may want to consider: call a few school districts around you and see what they prefer…a first year teacher with a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. If they want you to have the master’s before they will higher you, then it would be best to get the master’s first. Make sure you ask for human resources to get the best answer.

Best of luck to you!

My uncle was a principal for many years. He told me that a school district would rather hire a regular teacher (excluding reading specialists, special ed, etc.) with a bachelor’s degree rather than someone with a masters and no teaching experience. A person with a bachelor’s degree and no teaching experience would cost the school less money rather than someone with a masters and no teaching experience. However, if you are looking into special education or a reading specialist, then go and get your masters in those subjects before you start teaching. But if you want to be just a regular classroom teacher (elementary, middle or high school), start with just your masters.

It depends on what you teach and where you want to teach. In Ohio you have a better chance of teaching with a bachelor’s degree. Most school districts cannot afford someone with a Masters. They can hire 3 teachers with bachelors degrees or 2 with masters, they go for quantity over quality. That said, if you have masters in math or science or special ed, you can find a job anywhere. With you having a bachelors in history and one in psychology, those areas are not in demand. In order to teach besides your two degrees, you need licensure or certification in teaching. Good luck.

I have been teaching for 5 years. I started on my masters last year and I am about half way through. I say it is best to start teaching with your bachelor’s degree. I really don’t see how I could have done the work required of me in my master’s classes without the teaching experience under my belt. It was also good to have the kids available to work with on the projects, etc.

Start teaching now.

Much of the important learning needed to be a good teacher happens in the classroom. There are many programs available to working teachers to work on their master’s later.

And be careful about your assumptions about what make a better district. 50 percent of new teachers leave the profession within the first five years. If you come into this profession with ideas that one district is better than others you may be a statistic. (and then your question does not matter)

We teach kids. every district is filled with kids who need to be inspired and taught by quality teachers. What does it say when a candidate rules out a group of kids based on their district?

good luck.

IF you took out student loans, they are due to start being paid back within 6 MONTHS of getting out of school.. If you only have a BA to TEACH, you will get less income to start, you will have to start paying back those loans AND then try to find the money to pay for your MASTERS….. Plus, once you are out of school, there is LESS MOTIVATION to finish the process…and a LOT of times, things come up that deter you from attaining that degree and it ends up taking 5 or 6 YEARS rather then 1 or 2…. PLUS, most PUBLIC schools (at least in NEW YORK STATE and I would assume it’s so in other states, will only HIRE their teacher if they have Masters degrees… UNLESS they work in a PRIVATE SCHOOL where the pay is REALLY unfortunately a lot lower MOST TIMES then in the public schools. Also, one more ear to get better pay, is well worth it …

I would begin teaching career with your master’s degree because you can have a double major, expand your knowledge and then get paid with more money.

B.A. make sure you are where you want to be, then get your masters. You might take all of the classes but one. You will get hired at a lower rate. Then you can surprise your school by taking the next class and then they will owe you more money.

I would say a Master’s Degree.