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I've been following these forums for a while but this is my first post, so let me introduce myself:
I'm a 29-year old former engineer who's looking to make a career change to teaching. I have both a BS and MS in mechanical engineering with about 2 years of industry experience.
I'd like to teach high school math, and I'm open to teaching in almost any state in the US. Only problem is, I've looked at some certification programs that require either a BA in math or 30 or so units of undergraduate -level math work. Unfortunately, I don't have either of those. I would probably have to go back to school for a couple semesters to get those 30 units (not ideal).
My questions is this: for those of you who have certification in your state - did the state require you to have a bachelor's degree in the subject area you got certification for? I realize some programs may have this requirement, but I'm hoping to find a program that doesn't require it if the state doesn't.
It is not required in mine. You just need the appropriate number of credits and meet the specific requirements for the courses. It doesn't have to be part of a degree and it can be undergraduate or graduate or a combination.
However, in my state you would still need a master's in secondary ed and take education classes. But that's o.k., almost everyone has 2-3 master's degrees because in public school that gives a significant salary increase.
You might want to consider getting a second certification in physics, as well.
You have seen the teeny tiny tip of the education bureaucracy. It is just the beginning. Education administrators simply want to cove their butt so they stick to requirements that have no meaning. I don't think you are going to get around it.
If you have to go back to school, get a MEd. Probably less credits and a lot more flexibility.
Is there something else you could teach besides math?
That's the unfortunate thing about getting into teaching from another career. Even if you have two degrees, unless you have the credit hours in the content area, some states won't budge.
Is there something else you could teach besides math?
That's the unfortunate thing about getting into teaching from another career. Even if you have two degrees, unless you have the credit hours in the content area, some states won't budge.
When I look back at the courses I took as both an undergrad and grad student, the only secondary school subject that I might have enough credits for is math. I suppose I could also be certified for something like middle school science, which might not require a BS in physics or chemistry.
Our state grants Expert Citizen Licenses to people with a bachelor's degree and some experience. The licensee has one year to complete a series of requirements and coursework. Alternate routes also include the National Board certification that I've seen on a number of websites. That certification is acceptable in 15 states, including Mississippi.
Texas here. I am a retired software engineer. I got certified to teach Math 4-8 in an Alt Cert program.
They required a BS degree and 36 credit hours in the subject which I had.
My BS degree was CS (Engineering, not Business).
I did my certification through a community college.
I've been following these forums for a while but this is my first post, so let me introduce myself:
I'm a 29-year old former engineer who's looking to make a career change to teaching. I have both a BS and MS in mechanical engineering with about 2 years of industry experience.
I'd like to teach high school math, and I'm open to teaching in almost any state in the US. Only problem is, I've looked at some certification programs that require either a BA in math or 30 or so units of undergraduate -level math work. Unfortunately, I don't have either of those. I would probably have to go back to school for a couple semesters to get those 30 units (not ideal).
My questions is this: for those of you who have certification in your state - did the state require you to have a bachelor's degree in the subject area you got certification for? I realize some programs may have this requirement, but I'm hoping to find a program that doesn't require it if the state doesn't.
Your degrees (BS/MS) may qualify you to teach Computer Science classes at the HS level without needing to take additional classes.
My BS (Computer Science) makes me highly qualified to teach any Computer Science classes in HS.
An individual seeking a provisional license through the career switcher program must meet the following prerequisite requirements:
Complete the application process by making application to one of the career switcher certified program providers listed above;
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
The completion of requirements for an endorsement in a teaching area or the equivalent through verifiable experience or academic study;
At least five years of full-time work experience or its equivalent;
Virginia qualifying scores on the professional teacher’s assessments prescribed by the Board of Education. See Professional Teacher’s Assessment Requirements (PDF).
There are also links on that site to programs that will help facilitate that for you.
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