Every state has its own routes and certification requirements for those who have a degree in a subject other than education and are interested in becoming a teacher. Still have questions? An experienced middle school social studies teacher might direct you toward teaching high school or college depending on your interests. After pinpointing a subject and grade level, consider the degree (s) you will need to teach the subject. Last Updated: June 13, 2020 Though bachelor’s degrees in education can get you directly into the classroom after graduation and obtaining licensure, you have options if you realize after earning a different degree that teaching is right for you. Your students might be a little more unpredictable than high school students, as many will begin going through puberty. You might gain valuable contacts for later in your teaching career. So make sure to do your homework before deciding. To determine which subjects you are eligible to teach, you should contact the Teaching Council (www.teachingcouncil.ie). This article has been viewed 50,807 times. Gain experience by teaching courses at the community college level. Through this funding, they have reached over 4.5 million students. Teacher education programs allow aspiring educators to choose what subject area and level they intend to teach. Virtually every state in the country offers alternate routes known as alternative teacher certification programs to help prospective teachers (with a bachelor's degree in any subject). If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Teachers at most college hold doctorates, but there are many instances in which teachers with a master’s degree may work at that level. Through this funding, they have reached over 4.5 million students. College professors need at least a master’s degree, and depending on the subject, might need a doctorate to be competitive. Students must then go on to earn licensure upon completion of a program. Complete a particular type of degree, based on the subject or age level you might teach. You might learn that being a middle school social studies teacher is drastically different than you originally thought. Would I be able to do this with a PGCE in just media or would I have to do a subject conversion (I think it's called an ITT) as well? You might find that you possess the enthusiasm and energy of preschool teachers or thrive on the difficult questions asked by high-achieving college students. degree. If you are interested in being part of a more nurturing environment and helping students transition to a new environment, elementary teaching might be right for you. The best subject to teach in high school is one that you are passionate about and interested in yourself and can help students get excited. Middle school teachers might need a bachelor's in education from an accredited teacher preparation program. AdoptAClassroom.org is an award-winning nonprofit that provides funding for K-12 teachers and schools throughout the US. A science teacher might enlighten you on the challenges and joys of teaching the subject. This article has been viewed 50,807 times. Gain state teaching credential Frustrated with stomach issues? If you have A-levels at grade B or above in biology, chemistry or physics, or have studied a science degree, you can still be a physics or chemistry specialist in school. Both offer different programs and are geared for slightly different career paths. If you have a PGCE you are entitled to teach. Consider being a history or social studies teacher. Prospective math teachers need to consider whether they want to teach basic arithmetic or a subfield like algebra, geometry, or calculus. This usually adds another 6 months full time onto your training. Do you remember your most inspiring teachers? As mentioned above, there is a wide range of teacher subjects to choose from, and people are usually going to be better equipped to teach a subject in which they are most interested and familiar. The final exam that is often required is a subject-area exam that test your knowledge of the subject you wish to teach. I would like to become a media teacher but would also like to teach drama as well (I have an A level in both). Some districts provide money for their teachers toward training in critically-needed areas. You can use this section to find out more about the different subjects you can teach. Behavior issues could offer more challenges, as students are almost adults. You’ll be able to teach much more complex concepts. AdoptAClassroom.org is an award-winning nonprofit that provides funding for K-12 teachers and schools throughout the US. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Master of Arts in Teaching focuses on a teacher's performance in the classroom. However, if you teach high school, you are more likely to be instructing a single subject and should therefore have a much deeper understanding of that field. You might consider a career as an English teacher. Today, they hold a top, 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Take specific subject area exams to become certified in your topic of choice. Earn bachelor’s degree Apply to a regionally accredited institution and study education or major in the subject you hope to teach. Is it weird to text a former teacher happy holidays. These subfields are usually reserved for high school and college. I'm considering going back to school to get a Masters degree in Communication Studies, but I'm wondering if that will count me out of eventually teaching American Studies. This can be a really great option if you have less experience working with students, as traditional degree programs can offer extra time and practice. Yes! What it means is that you can have a Master’s Degree in English, then take 18 credit hours (at the graduate level) in history and be able to teach history. You can become a teacher with a bachelor's degree. To become a full-fledged teacher, you generally need a bachelor’s degree. Talking much about oneself can also be a means to conceal oneself [yes/no]? When it comes to earning an education degree at the postgraduate level, you have two choices: a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Usually, it requires you have a minor or a few classes in the field. Some schools, such as private schools and academies, are able to recruit teachers without a degree but it's then difficult to progress or move schools. You’ll have little to no interaction with parents or guardians. Today, they hold a top, 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. For all subject areas: Yes, it’s done all the time, if the institution will allow it. You’ll focus on complex subject concepts. Do you build or fix things for fun? As an undergraduate student, I studied Exercise Sports Science and received a B.S. If you enjoy working with numbers and problem solving, think about math or science. It depends if the school to which you apply will acccept your degree. You may have realised that your degree isn’t particularly vocational or that, if it is, you aren’t interested in the career it leads to. Take a look at school district websites to see what subject areas are in demand and if there are any incentives for teachers in certain subject areas. Although your students will be older, you will still need parent involvement from time to time. As a middle school teacher, you’ll be able to focus much more on a specific subject area, but you’ll still also be dealing with a lot of nurturing and behavior supervision. A quarter of maths teachers don't have a degree in the subject; More than a quarter of teachers in many subjects do not have any qualification beyond an A-level in the course they teach… 10 comments. Do you read fiction and other types of literature? UNI / UCAS I've applied to do computer science at uni but I'm having a major freak-out because I didn't enjoy my coding NEA, and I'm starting to wonder if I actually even enjoy computer science!! For media studies teaching I think that you would be OK but if you were wanting to teach something like English then I think the school may prefer a graduate in English. References. A degree program may also offer additional test prep resources and career fairs. In the U.S., vocational classes are often taught by people who lack a degree but have several years experience in the field and have a desire to teach. What Subject Should You Teach if You Already Have a Non-Teaching Degree? Requirements vary greatly depending on your state. 56% Upvoted. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. You’ll seldom have to worry about behavior problems. If you decide to obtain a master's degree, you can pursue a master's degree in education or the subject you plan to teach. If you've earned a bachelor's degree in any subject you can enroll in an alternative teacher certification program to become a licensed teacher in the states. If you are interested in focusing on basic concepts, elementary teaching might be right for you. In many districts, teachers won't really be able to focus on literature until at least middle school, and will have to wear many hats as an English teacher. Students will begin to seem more like adults, but will still need more individualized attention like elementary students. I am a living example of this situation. Gain teaching experience by teaching with a provisional license. I am half way done with my schooling and do not have the money start all over to becoming a history teacher. Typically, a Bachelor’s degree generally suffices to teach elementary school students because at this level you will most likely be covering a variety of subjects. Statistics released earlier this year show that less than half (45.1%) of maths teachers have a degree level qualification or higher in the subject they teach, while 20% have a PGCE specialism. Even though many teachers also acquire a master's degree, a bachelor's degree in teaching or education can be … Can You Teach At A College Or University With A Master’s? Why should college students pay $20K plus in tuition per semester if they are forced to take online classes? If intrigued by the historical perspective on social issues, you might teach history or social studies. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Choose-a-Subject-to-Teach-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Choose-a-Subject-to-Teach-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Choose-a-Subject-to-Teach-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1750184-v4-728px-Choose-a-Subject-to-Teach-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"