Concentration vs Major -- problem for teaching degree?

[cframe]

If one wanted to teach (we're in MN), is it necessary to have a BA in History vs. a BA in LA with a concentration in History? I'm planning a clep path for my son through TESC, but I wonder if this will eventually be a stumbling block?

Advice from those who have been there?

[Sunshine]

If one wanted to teach (we're in MN), is it necessary to have a BA in History vs. a BA in LA with a concentration in History? I'm planning a clep path for my son through TESC, but I wonder if this will eventually be a stumbling block?

Advice from those who have been there?

I am very interested in hearing about this too...

[ali4nia]

At what level do you plan to teach? HS and below= whatever BA from a RA school + teaching credentials of that state, for community college level with a master degree if you are lucky you might get a part time job without benefit and for 4 yrs university they say a master is ok but they usually hire at PhD level so basically the problem is not where you think it is.

[cookderosa]

If one wanted to teach (we're in MN), is it necessary to have a BA in History vs. a BA in LA with a concentration in History? I'm planning a clep path for my son through TESC, but I wonder if this will eventually be a stumbling block?

Advice from those who have been there?

>>

100% without a doubt you need to check with your state's department of education. If your lucky the requirements will be online, but you may need to go in. Accept no one else's answers.

[Blitzstudie]

Here in VA you have to have whats called an 'endorsment',that means 30 credits in subject matter and passing the Praxis in your subject area. I dont think it is going to matter a whit if it is called a major or a concentration.

[cinderly]

If you are in Minnesota, as Jennifer indicated, you'll want to start by consulting the State Department of Education's licensure standards. If there's a chance that a potential teacher will ever want to teach in a different state, he or she should find the requirements for certification in those states, as well. Makes planning easier - and everyone has electives.

The next step I would take is to contact the school districts the aspiring teacher is targeting for eventual employment. Ask lots of questions. Get clarification on things that seem unclear or might be gotchas. No Child Left Behind is interpreted differently in every state and, to some extent, from district to district. Determine which grade levels and endorsements are likely to be in demand - if teaching any subject is more important than not teaching at all, you may want to add additional coursework in a high-demand field as a backup plan. Think about volunteering within one of your target districts to begin developing your professional reputation. (This also allows you to "sample" the working environment prior to committing the time and money to complete a teacher prep program.)

Begin saving, now, for your gauntlet of PRAXIS or other qualifying exams. Simultaneously start getting over the cost. (Not bitter at the ETS scam at all, no.) Read through the application for initial certification. Lots of information available in the instructions with the application packets.

Consider, too, talking to current teachers in whatever districts you're targeting. You'll generally get better information from teachers who know you than complete strangers. (See: volunteering.)

Now, if you're thinking higher ed, your PhD matters more than your MA/MS, which matters more than your BA/BS.

There may be exceptions, but, generally, educational institutions strongly prefer RA programs.

[PatsGirl1]

What Cindy and Jennifer said  Each state varies their requirements by a LOT. For example, I live in MI but I’m getting licensed in FL (long story). MI, you need a major in a subject, a minor in another (21-24 credits) and passing the MTTC Subject tests for both, general knowledge, and then either Secondary or Elementary subjects. Then you also need at least a full semester of student teaching, and your major has to be in a teachable subject area offered, unless you hold a Master’s.
FL, you can teach if you can pass the subject test in your field, Secondary/Elementary test and professional knowledge test. They prefer you have a major in the subject, but if not, they prefer you have a cert. in the subject, but if not, passing the tests is fine along with a Bachelor’s degree in any subject.
There’s a wide variety in what is required so the best bet is the MN Dept of Educ. Website.

Also, what Cindy said- if you can, try and get an endorsement/recommendation/cert (different states call it different things) in more than one subject. I’m doing English and Science, although I want to teach English. I figure Science is my backup plan. If I can get into a district first, then maybe I can switch departments later.

[mattbrent]

If one wanted to teach (we're in MN), is it necessary to have a BA in History vs. a BA in LA with a concentration in History? I'm planning a clep path for my son through TESC, but I wonder if this will eventually be a stumbling block?

Advice from those who have been there?

Hi! I'm a high school history teacher in Virginia. I was hired under a provisional license my first year and obtained my licensure by taking a few courses through the University of Phoenix. However, in Virginia, to obtain the license to teach a certain content, you must meet the requirements for a content area. For History you can do History, Political Science, or History and Social Sciences. I'm currently certified to teach history. I'm qualified to teach everything in social sciences, but I didn't get that endorsement because I didn't want to teach things like geography and economics (although my school made me do that my first year anyway!).

Check with your state's department of education, as has been mentioned before. I know in Virginia you don't necessarily need a major in history. You simply need to have "X" amount of coursework, specifically 18 credits in history, 18 in poly-sci, 9 in geography and 6 in economics for a total of 51 credits. However, if you just want History, like I have, you'd just need 30 credits in it OR a major. At CNU the major was 36 credits, so either was I was covered. Then if you wanted an add-on endorsement in any of the social studies, you'd need 21 credits in the additional area, though it'd probably be easier to just go for the whole social studies endorsement. You also need to pass the praxis 2, which is a piece of cake. The passing rates depend on your state. Virginia's passing score is a 161, which is actually pretty high compared to other states.

Bottom line, if the college accepts CLEP tests and gives you credit for them, I don't forsee that being a problem when it comes to getting the credits necessary for the history teaching certification. However, call the DOE first, or ask the university itself. If you complete a "state-approved" program, it'll lead to licensure automatically after you complete it.

-Matt

[cookderosa]

Thanks Matt.

(Cheri- that's who I was telling you about, I'm glad he came over here and posted for you)

[cframe]

Bottom line, if the college accepts CLEP tests and gives you credit for them, I don't forsee that being a problem when it comes to getting the credits necessary for the history teaching certification. However, call the DOE first, or ask the university itself. If you complete a "state-approved" program, it'll lead to licensure automatically after you complete it.

-Matt

I love bottom lines. It seems this subject was more of a can of worms than I expected. I've got an e-mail in to MN's DOE since all the advice here is much more than what is on their site.

Thanks for help!