Becoming a teacher without a degree in education?

<p>I really want to become an elementary teacher, but some of my schools (mainly UCs) don't offer education majors. I've been considering majoring in English or psychology, but is this a viable option? Or should I pick a school I like less/ is much more expensive thy has an education program? Thanks</p>

<p>Check out this site on becoming a teaching via Alternate route.</p>

<p>[Alternative</a> Teacher Certification](<a href=“http://www.teach-now.org/intro.cfm]Alternative”>http://www.teach-now.org/intro.cfm)</p>

<p>I have a friend who did this on the east coast and is now a math teacher.</p>

<p>If you’re planning on getting a Master’s in Ed after graduation, bear in mind that the courses in your major have to transfer over or you will have to take additional content courses. I suggest that you look at the curricula at several grad schools and see what you need in the concentration you’re interested in.</p>

<p>For instance, English might be a good choice for teaching either english (DUH!) or elementary ed. You still need to make sure that your particular course selections transfer over. Psych is not. Most psych classes in HS are taught in the social studies dept so you should look and see what classes in that field you should be taking. There is no pysch concentration for teaching, it’s just a sub-area.</p>

<p>Many states don’t require a degree in Education to be a teacher; rather, you have to be certified instead.</p>

<p>my daughter earned a biology degree from a LAC, she is now in a M.AT program- which is mostly practicum based. She is planning on certification for K-8 & is faculty at a K-8 school.</p>

<p>I think either an English or psych major would give you a good foundation for continuing in a M.AT or M.ED program.</p>

<p>I found this through a Google search
[Become</a> a Teacher in California | Teacher Certification in California | Certification Map](<a href=“http://certificationmap.com/states/california-teacher-certification/]Become”>About Certification Map)</p>

<p>I don’t know much about becoming a teacher in CA but you’ll need a Master’s in education or go through an alternative route program. For alternative route, you’ll still have to take courses but you will leave with a certificate instead of a degree. </p>

<p>For elementary ed, I think studying developmental or educational psychology would be most helpful. Developmental psych could also open doors for special ed and you could get an ABA certificate (for working with autistic kids). Majoring in English means you could teach ESL. So this all depends on what you what to teach.</p>

<p>It just depends on what you want to do. If elementary education is what you want to do for the rest of your life, then major in elementary education. But if you want to go into something else major in the subject you want and get a minor in elementry education. Also look at the requirements for state certification.</p>

<p>People who plan on becoming elementary school teachers tend to major in Liberal Studies.</p>