What are the steps to becoming a teacher after receiving a BA in anything other than education?

Question

I have a BA in psychology and have been told that it is possible to become a school teacher. What steps do I need to take? Better yet, has anyone attempted this process and had particularly positive results?

Answer 1

Depends on the state... go to a university with a good education program and talk to them.

DO NOT GET A MASTERS WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE TO TEACH AND WHAT YOU WANT TO TEACH. You could waste so much time, effort and money. That is REALLY bad advice.

Answer 2

Here in Nc they have what's called lateral entry and you just go and take the methods and Education courses and Praxis 2 exam.

Answer 3

Each state in the US sets its own standards to license teachers.   Here is how it works in Ohio, you may find that it is similar to your state.

Once you have a BA in ANYTHING you can be a substitute teacher.  You need to apply to the Ohio Department of Education for a substitute teacher license.

If you want to become a regular teacher, you will need to complete more corse work at a college or University.  This will often be graduate level work and you will likely need to take only classes in education since you have already completed your general coursework as part of your BA.  One university that offers such a program is Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) Ashland calls their program "bachelor's plus."  A friend of mine went through the program and it took her about a year.  Plus, when she was done with getting the teaching licensure, she was half way done with earning a masters degree.

If you can find a school that REALLY needs a teacher, they can help you apply for emergency licensure.  That would allow you to work as a regular teacher while you go through the process of taking classes to get full licensure.

Check out the Ohio Department of Education web site at www.ode.state.oh.us or the Department of Education web site for your state.

Answer 4

Get your masters.  When I got my masters, there were a lot of people who got their BA is something else and decided to become teachers.  This way you are done once you get your masters.  I got my BA in elementary education and my MA in secondary education.

Answer 5

Depends where you live, and the university guidelines.

For Sask., Canada, where I live, if you have a BA in a teachable major (so your psychology would be, but only for becoming a high school teacher), there is a Bachelor of Education After Degree program, which is two years long.

I did this, but my BA was in English, and I became an elementary teacher.

Answer 6

In most states, you have to meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) rules. You will need to look into alternative certification programs (usually costing around $3600) and take content and professional exams. Just a suggestion: If you're not absolutely sure you want to teach, try substituting for the ISD you want to work for. But please, please, please be sure that teaching is something you really are interested in doing.

Answer 7

Which state do you live in?

Answer 8

Check with the rules for the state and city that you live and plan to teach in. I know that here in NY you have to be certified and that there are programs to help you obtain your certification and masters degree. Check our Americorps. I know they help out some of the people doing this.