Does a degree in Children’s Ministries count as an early education degree? Can you get certified as a teacher if you only have this degree or do you have to get the early education degree before you can be certified?
It depends on your state but my guess would be that it does not count. Google you state Department of Education and look up teacher licensing. They will either give you a list of courses that they require for educators or refer you to a local higher ed. institution that will evaluate your transcripts for you. My guess would be more than likely not unless you are planning on teaching at a private religious school (in which case many don’t even require a valid teaching license). If you are looking at elementary education you typically need a wide range of classes from math, to science, to social studies so that you can teach the same to your students. In secondary education it is even more specialized in that you practically need a Bachelor’s Degree in your content area (i.e Science) in order to teach science. There is also the education methods courses and student teaching that are typically required no matter what grade level you want to teach. If you haven’t done any of these things and your state requires it, then you have a lot more classwork ahead of you. Since I don’t know where you live I can’t be more specific… sorry.
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
It depends on your state but my guess would be that it does not count. Google you state Department of Education and look up teacher licensing. They will either give you a list of courses that they require for educators or refer you to a local higher ed. institution that will evaluate your transcripts for you. My guess would be more than likely not unless you are planning on teaching at a private religious school (in which case many don’t even require a valid teaching license). If you are looking at elementary education you typically need a wide range of classes from math, to science, to social studies so that you can teach the same to your students. In secondary education it is even more specialized in that you practically need a Bachelor’s Degree in your content area (i.e Science) in order to teach science. There is also the education methods courses and student teaching that are typically required no matter what grade level you want to teach. If you haven’t done any of these things and your state requires it, then you have a lot more classwork ahead of you. Since I don’t know where you live I can’t be more specific… sorry.
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September 23rd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Depends on the state. As the other person said do a google search of "(State name) education" that will bring up the Certification for that state.
There are a few states (about 10): TN and SD come to mind where you do not need a specific degree. You need to pass a Praxis test and get hired (that may be the more difficult part). Check out:
http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=48c05ee3d74f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD
for information on your state. If you go this route you will need to start on a plan for receiving an education degree.
If you can start teaching without a education degree start TODAY! studying for the correct test.
Many (if not all) states also have an Alternative Route.
http://www.teach-now.org/intro.cfm
Also check out your state’s dept. of education. Also you can call your state’s teacher certification section and talk with them.
If you need to earn a second BA. I did mine at http://www.wgu.edu/education/teacher_certification.asp
I had a degree in Bible so I earned a second in Social Studies, it took me a year to do of really hard and long work. I was laid off and worked 8-10 hours a day on school, 5-6 days a week. Plus I had three years of teaching experience which really helped.
Feel free to email me through here if you want more questions answered. I was exactly where you were 3 years ago.
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Lots of experience of going through exactly this kind of problem.
http://www.ets.org – the Praxis Test
http://www.teach-now.org/intro.cfm – Alt Certs
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
You probably cannot get certified based on this certificate for public schools, since it would probably be considered religous ministry and not teaching – most programs for ministry are not accredited to be used as teaching degrees.
However, you have two other options – you should be able to teach at many private schools with that degree. Or, you can probably go back to a second degree program to get your teaching certification – these take as little as one year.
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