Grrr. So frustrated! I never thought it could be this difficult to become a teacher!

I have a BA in Psychology. I have decided that in the best interest of my children and their schedules and interest of finances, that a career in education would be most suitable for me. I would most enjoy becoming and Art Teacher at a younger grade level, or an English/Literature teacher in a high school.

I looked into what we call the "Alternate Route" here. It seems very expensive and complicated and difficult, and it doesn't offer any placement certainly. But... it seems if I go back to school for some more credits in the education field I could benefit from 1) receiving financial aid for schooling, hence solving my problem of the "alternate route" being pricey. 2) placement/experience teaching that most (all?) programs provide. 3) simply getting more secure with the field by learning more about it. So that was what I looked into. I went to the Rutger's web-site, which offers NO phone contact, just their e-mail form, and I inquired as follows:
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I have a BA in Psychology from Rutgers, and am interested in becoming a teacher. I am not sure where to start in order to become certified to teach. What programs are offered by Rutgers? Who do I contact? Can I get started in a program this Spring (2007)?
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They responded:
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You must have an appropriate major in order to be accepted into a teacher certification program at Rutgers. If you BA is in Psychology, then you cannot go through our English Education program, for example.
What would you wish to teach?
Rutgers GSE offers traditional route to teaching programs; they are all Masters programs.
There are no spring admission into our programs; the deadline for all programs is February 1.
You can email Erin Maguire in the Office of Academic Services your program interests and she can answer your questions or direct you to a person who will be able to.
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That didn't help me, kinda' even discouraged me, but I continued and contacted the person they instructed:
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Dear Erin Maguire,

I am seeking certification to become a teacher, and contacted Rutgers GSE yesterday for some information in that regard. I have a BA in Psychology from Rutgers (2005) and in the interest of efficiency I would, of course, like to utilize those credits as much as possible. Some of my interests include becoming an Art Teacher (any grade level), an English/Literature Teacher in a high school, or a School Counselor.

Is there any further information you can offer me about the programs you offer, and the amount of time it would take for me to complete a program and start working in the field? I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you in advance for your time and effort.

Sincerely,
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Does anyone know any more about this? Any additional information? Any personal experience? I would LOVE to hear more. I would really be MOST interested in taking the fewest credits possible to become certified and get started teaching asap.

I know it varies state to state. When I was looking into it here they had a program for city teachers called "transition to teaching" where you could get certified while you taught. I'm not sure how it is in NJ, but I wanted to wish you good luck in finding the right contact person.
Also check out the websites of other schools in your area - they may have more flexible programs.

We are in Pa, but my sil just finished up her masters for teaching. She had an acctg degree from villanova, and was working in the business world for maybe 7-8yrs before she decided to become a teacher. She did a masters program, and is now teaching kindergarten- absolutely no relation to accounting, lol.

I would discourage an Art teacher certificate though. My bil is an art teacher, and since it is so specialized it took him YEARS to get a full time job. He subbed for a long long time. The money in subbing is ok, but not great. My sister is subbing now, and I think she gets $85-95/day.

Anyway, I think if you are doing a masters program it shouldn't matter what undergrad degree you have.

Look into whether there is a test to take along with courses for a credential.
If you want to teach a single subject there may be a single subject test to get out of the way along the way and you might want to get over that hurdle first.
There has to be a friendly source to inquire to.
You could try other places besides Rutgers to find out.

I would go the masters route. I didn't and had to take about the same amount of coursework and now to stay certified I will have to get a masters anyway!! I was given some bad advise. I am in MA.

my DH has an alternative masters in education. this is what is offered here if you have a bachelors in a different subject (his is in psych too, with a sociology minor) His masters is secondary, emphasis in social studies. The alternative masters has you take a few undergraduate classes usually and then you start into the masters program officially. It has more education courses than a regular MEd too.

AUM—Auburn University Montgomery: (http://www.aum.edu) -- go here and look up alternative masters in education and you can probably get a better idea of what I am talking about :)

I've navigated through these shark infested waters in three states, so I'm off to check out NJ to see if I can offer some help.

If you could get the masters for about the same anount of time as a BA, then I would do that since the pay is better...I get paid on a masters level when I am working in the school system and my husband is on a regular scale for teaching math. There is quite a difference.

It shouldn't be too hard. I know Drexel Univ. has a 7 course, online degree program (http://www.drexel.com/online-degrees/education-degrees/cert-pbt/index.aspx) that will get you a PA certificate if you already have your bachelor's. Some NJ Univ. must have something similar. Or NJ may have a simple reciprocity agreement with PA.

If you want flexibility and better chances of getting a job, I'd go with a general elementary cert. or something in the math or science fields if that's possible. (The Drexel program will do those science firlds regardles of your undergrad major I think).

Good luck. PA is a PAIN when it comes to getting and keeping your certificate, but once you jump through all the hoops, it is worth it careerwise.

check with the Dept of Education in your state. In many states, if you have a BA/BS they will put you through some courses to get your ready to teach. This is especially true in areas where they are short on teachers.

Every state differs in certification requirements.

To teach English, you'll probably need to start back over and pursure a Bachelors in Teaching with English (secondary) as your focus. I'd think your general eds would be done since you have the degree in Psychology. Most anywhere will require you to have the undergraduate coursework in the area you want to teach in order to get certified.

I think if you are looking for the fastest/easiest way, looking into school counseling may be the best match since your undergrad is in Psychology. Around here, you'd just need to get the Masters in School Counseling. (which you would need anyway to be a school counselor in our state)

I even had a bit of a time getting my certificate back after letting it expire and I have a Bachelors in three areas!! (elementary education, special education, and early education) Even with all three of those, they only gave me "highly qualified status" in elementary education which sucked. I'm going to get my masters in early education....but we can't afford it right now. (university of Wyoming is expensive for grad work and the college in Nebraska where dh went for his masters and Ed.S degrees don't have early ed as a option)

Keep on searching. If you really want to teach english, then put in the time you need to in order to get the certification. I have found that it makes a world of difference teaching in the area/age that is my first choice. If counseling is something you'd really like (and school counselors are different at different grade levels...and some districts will have you bounce between schools to save $$), then do that...but if you are looking at that just becuase it may be the fastest way, but your heart is really in teaching secondary English....then put in the time.

One thing to remember....many schools are really facing financial troubles and elementary art is a job that will get cut as one of the first cuts because most elementary teachers are trained in teaching art. Not as good as a art major is, but we all do have the training. So job security may not be really good as a elementary art teacher. (or even secondary art...sad, but true)

Michelle

Be careful with online degree programs....your state dept of ed may not accept/recognize them. Be certain before starting any online/correspondence program that your state will accept and give you a certificate if you have your training from some distance/online/correspondence program.

In our state, the place to check is called the PTSB. (Professional Teachers Standards Board) They will tell you what you need...you'd just need to send in your transcripts from your Bachelors. The advice to start with your state dept of ed was great!! I'd agree to go there first.....

Michelle

Anyway, I think if you are doing a masters program it shouldn't matter what undergrad degree you have.

Not in the field of education. For most Masters degrees in education (at least in Wyoming and in Nebraska) , to get in the program you need specific classes and/or undergraduate degree. On top of that, you have to take the GRE which is not a big problem. However, getting a Masters in Education is not open to everyone who has any Bachelors degree....there are requirements. So check into those.

Michelle

One more idea (I know I'm responding a lot...lol) would be to look at getting your foot in the door in a district by starting as a para-professional and then going from there.

My para who works under me in my classroom is working on her teaching degree while she is working as a para. As soon as her degree is done, she will have a much easier time securing a job here in Wyoming because she has been working as a para. And competition is heating up in Wyoming for teaching jobs since our state raised the base pay to a high amount when you look at how cheap it is to live in Wyoming.

Michelle