Students who earn an associates degree in general studies will be prepared to work in a variety of fields. Advertising and sales are the best paying jobs, but you can still expect to earn around $50,000-60,000 per year as an editor or writer in traditional writing and editing. So lets unpack this a little more and learn about the alternate pathways to teaching without a degree in education by exploring the following topics: Nope! These programs typically have to be approved by the states education board in order to progress to a post-graduate certificate or masters degree. 7. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers are more likely to look for graduates with a general studies degree. You can work in any field, including business management, information technology, education, or any other, if you earn this degree. Chief executives and legislators earn the most money in communications majors, with an average annual salary of $176,126, followed by sales managers who earn $125,577 per year and advertising sales agents who earn $111,521. A bachelor's degree. Students in this degree program can specialize in one of the following areas: Early Years, Primary, or Nursery. A masters degree is typically required to advance in your current field of study. If you did not major in education, you will almost certainly need to go through an alternative teacher preparation program in order to become a teacher. You may also pursue an alternative certification program. Some states, such as Texas, do not require a masters degree to become a teacher. The average starting salary for engineers and architects is around $50,000 per year. The Legislature must continue to fund teacher preparation programs and pass legislation to address the states teacher shortage. Teachers in most states are required to have a teaching license, whether in the public school system or another type of education setting. If youre reading this, youre probably thinking about becoming a teacher. Making a decision about which format to take will be influenced by many factors, including your personal and work schedule and the options available in your area. Enjoy! Yes. Write a cover letter for each school where you apply, and provide a copy of your resume. If your bachelors degree isnt education and youre looking to fast-track your teaching certification, there are plenty ofonline teacher certification programs that let you teach while earning your teaching credential. Pennsylvania teachers have been short-staffed this year. These are more general degrees that can assist students in furthering their education or entering a variety of other career paths. If you love working with young people and have a sense of accomplishment from helping students grow, then it might be worth exploring a career in education. By earning a general studies degree, you can apply your knowledge immediately to a career or to a new field of study. Teachers can also be certified in other areas, such as endorsements, in addition to earning and maintaining them. It can set you apart in your industry and expand your career opportunities and salary earnings. Teachers can pursue a bachelors degree in traditional-route K-12 education if they have a teacher preparation program approved by the state education board. A degree program is required because it contains coursework, student teaching, and licensure requirements that must be met. The Associate of Arts (AA) in General Studies program provides a well-rounded foundation of knowledge that is designed to prepare students for academic and employability success. After completing an associates degree in general studies, associates can work in a variety of fields. Students will learn about topics such as mathematics, English, science, social studies, and careers as part of this program. Good newsyou dont have to go back to school and get another bachelors degree in education to teach thanks toalternative teacher certification programs. Paul decided to change his mind after a career in music because he wanted to better himself. Many colleges and universities offer teacher education programs that lead to certification. In addition to more specialized programs like early childhood education, a bachelors degree is frequently available from colleges and universities, allowing you to become a preschool or elementary school teacher. Thats why its critical that you carefully research licensure requirements in the state you want to teach in before applying to any sort of teacher preparation program, as different rules will inevitably apply. For graduates with a communications degree, there are several high-paying jobs available. However, in general, an associates degree in general studies can provide a solid foundation for further education and career advancement. You can get your license while youre teaching by earning an alternative certification. A masters degree in education administration can help you land a job as a principal or vice principal. During the same time, middle school special education teachers made $56,300, high school special education teachers made $56,920 and speech-language pathologists made $70,810. Complete your coursework. Some states offer alternative certification programs that allow you to complete your training while you are teaching. If, on the other hand, you already have a degree in general studies, you can still teach with it if you are already on the general studies path. Teachers are required to have a license to teach in public schools in all 50 states. Their paths were different, but a common dream a passion for teaching brought them together. These programs typically involve a shorter period of study and may not lead to a degree. Complete all of these to get a step closer to your master's degree. She fell in love with the third grade class after teaching it for the first time. To qualify, you must have a bachelor's degree and complete a teacher preparation program. Some of these jobs may require additional education or experience, depending on the employer. A bachelors degree in general studies is designed to include courses in a variety of disciplines. Toronto, Ontario M5V 2H1, USA: 73 Greentree Dr. #50 Students enrolled in general studies programs are usually exposed to a wide range of subjects. You will need to gain certification, but most states offer steps into certification, like provisional certificates, that will actually allow you to start teaching before you attain the full, valid certification. This route allows aspiring teachers tobecome a teacher quickly. Nancy thought she was a research scientist or a scientist in college. The academic discipline of general studies, in general, does not require a specific type of study. The implication of this is that there are teachers who are not graduates but are still qualified to teach. It is critical to carefully review the steps you must take before becoming a teacher without a degree in education to determine if this is the path for you. To be a teacher, you do not have to be a biology major or a math major. It is critical that you research the programs available in your state to determine if this is the right path for you. You decide whether or not to study to become a teacher based on the circumstances of your situation. The media landscape is dominated by print journalism, radio and television broadcasting, publishing, blogging, social media posting, and podcasts in addition to print journalism, radio and television broadcasting, publishing, and blogging. Keep reading to learn how. The degree focuses on critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving, depending on the degree program chosen. They should also consider pursuing a masters degree in education or a related field. A bachelors degree is required for all of the various ways to become a teacher. Master of Arts in Teaching focuses on a teacher's performance in the classroom. Be sure to send in your college transcripts, certification test scores, and a copy of your teacher's license. Need to learn to communicate strategically? Most states require a bachelors degree as a minimum requirement for becoming a full-time teacher. He helps guide clients through the entire college admissions process and perfect every aspect of their college applications. This article was co-authored by Felipe Corredor. It is critical to start with areas where you are interested, and your education can advance from there. A well-rounded degree program allows you to study in a variety of subjects and departments to tailor your academic experience. Depending on the school district in Florida, there may not always be a need for a degree for teachers. If there are no schools in your area that offer the type of general studies degree youre looking for, youll have to leave the state. There are a few things that you must have in order to become a teacher. Classroom management software, videoconferencing systems, and classroom electronics such as projection machines and word processing are just a few of the hard skills that teachers should have. For example, natural science and government graduates could be qualified to work as park and recreation workers. If a teacher tells other students your grades without your permission, they may be violating your privacy rights. Michigan law and rules require that all individuals complete an approved preparation program (e.g., math education, elementary education, English education) in order to become a teacher in Michigan. How can I learn English abroad for teaching purposes? A bachelors degree may not be required by the state department of education if you want to teach preschool, elementary school, or middle school. Keen to develop your executive presence? If you have concerns, To become a certified homeschool teacher in California, you must first earn a teaching credential from an accredited university. A liberal arts degree will prepare you to pursue a wide range of career options. Here are two other ways you can get certified to teach in the US (other than a traditional educator preparation program as part of your undergraduate degree). Anyone who is interested in a career in primary education and childcare would be well suited to study at London Mets accelerated Primary Education degree program. All new teachers in Miami-Dade County must have a bachelors degree in order to work for them. This article has been viewed 324,733 times. It only takes a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university to get started. Dont panic if your state doesnt have an emergency certification pathway, however. Public schools are run by a given locality and state, which usually requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in education. A bachelors degree is required for employment as a teacher in any field, from elementary to high school. Hundreds of accredited colleges and universities offer blended degree and educator prep programs to that end. A bachelors degree in education is frequently the first step toward a career as a teacher. Related: Can I Be a Teacher Without Getting a Teaching Degree? The general studies stream focuses on topics such as history, geography, art and culture, and Indian society. A teachers degree differs from one to the next, but an education degree is better prepared you for teaching. A variety of communication degrees and career options are covered in this section. To become a successful teacher, aspiring candidates must pass a state-mandated examination that evaluates their knowledge and skills. You must also be able to effectively communicate with parents and guardians, When it comes to teaching phonics to kindergarten students, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind. An associates degree in general studies can be used to build on your bachelors degree or to prepare you for entry-level work right away. In addition to teaching as a provisional, another option is to become a teacher in training. An education program is usually required to become a teacher because the coursework, student teaching, and licensure requirements you must meet are all part of the program. Colleges offer associate degrees in early childhood education (ACE) for two years as part of the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education (AAS in ECE). There are a few things that someone interested in this career path can do to increase their chances of becoming a teacher. Every state requires that all teaching applicants take a series of certification tests in order to demonstrate their knowledge of their subject. There are many different paths that you can take to become a teacher, and each state has different requirements. If youre looking for a fresh challenge, its never too late to switch to a career in education. Students who want to pursue a degree can study a wide range of subjects and fields, preparing them for jobs in which they have a strong interest. Don't forget to share. Certification requires a bachelor's degree, completion of an educator preparation program, and passing scores on the required certification exams. But it depends on the certification standards in the state in which you want to teach. The earlier you do this, the better. Don't worry- if this is the case, you still have two options for obtaining the necessary certification to become a teacher. Below well talk about how you can get a teaching license with a bachelors degree and an alternative teaching program. That being said, at the highest peak of one's career, a teacher with a master's degree can expect to earn an average of $7,358 more per year than a teacher with just a bachelor's degree. Visit your state's department of education website, which sets standards for teaching positions in elementary, middle and high schools, and click on the link for "Employment" or "Jobs." [12] 8. While it can feel daunting to start over after four years spent studying one very specialized field, a career in teaching is incredibly rewarding.