Can you teach High school w/o a teaching certificate?

Question

I will be getting my JD/MBA soon and I remember when i was in high school i had a teacher who taught a law elective and it really sparked my interest. Would i be able to teach a law or business class in HS without a teaching certificate

Answer 1

Despite your degree, you will need to be certified in the area in which you are teaching. You usually have a one year grace period to pass the exam. That is at least how it is in Florida.

Answer 2

I know in California you need your Teaching Certificate.

Answer 3

In Florida you would need to submit your transcripts to the state DOE and get a statement of eligibility. This will list what area you are qualified to become certified in. Then you can be issued a temporary certificate. I belive they are good for 2 years. During that time, you would be required to take the certification exam and possibly take a few education courses (not always). Education is a state power, so every state has its own rules. You should look up the DOE for the state you are interested in teaching in.

(BTW- In FL law studies requires a Social Sciences Certificate and Business ED is a different certification all together. It is possible to get both certificates, but you would have to take 2 different exams.)

Answer 4

Many states, because of the teaching shortage, have created a mechanism by which people who are not certified teachers can be put in a classroom. My own state of PA offers an alternative path to the classroom

At the same time, however, No Child Left Behind requires districts to have teachers that are "highly qualified." So if you want to teach long term, you'll need to acquire some sort of "real" certification sooner or later.

Additionally, lots of school districts don't really have much of a law or business program.

Bottom line-- you can do it, but you will have a couple of obstacles to overcome.

Answer 5

If you are looking to teach in a public school setting, no-you will need your teaching certificate.  However, private schools are not mandated to only employ licensed teachers.  You could look for a job in that area, but you probably will not make as much money as in a public school.  

I am getting my license and master's in early childhood special ed, and while I will be getting a teaching license for young children, I do have interest in teaching older students as well.  I have considered teaching entry level classes in special education at a community college during my summer breaks and at night.  This is definitely something that you could look into since you are interested in law and business...definitely things that students at junior/community colleges look for!

Answer 6

In most states, yes, but you will need to be working toward teaching certifcation.