Hi Everyone! So I want to be a Teacher but all my top choice schools (LMU, Pepperdine, University of San Diego) have only a Liberal Studies major. I know that Education majors require students to observe classrooms and get some experience teaching. My concern is that with a Liberal Studies they will just teach you how to teach but never put you in a classroom to apply what you have learned. Is this true? If so, do master degree programs in Education at these schools require you to get real world experience? Thank you!
Information on how to become a teacher in California:
http://www.teachingdegree.org/california/
Okay, I don’t think I was completely clear in my question. I’m not looking for a list of requirements to be a teacher in California. I have researched them before so I already know what they are. I want to know from those who have knowledge of the Liberal Studies degree at LMU, Pepperdine, and USD if they require students to get real experience outside the classroom (such as observing classrooms or teaching some) while earning their undergraduate degree. Thank you.
Yes, you are required to “student teach” as part of your education and credential.
Many moons ago, when I went to school, the students in Liberal Arts (Elementary Ed) received their diplomas in conjunction with doing their student teaching. At that time, a number of students started their student teaching experiences in their senior year. Friends were given an assignment to serve in a classroom. Each had to do different grade levels and to actually TEACH math, reading, writing, science, history, social skills; do weekly lesson plans, teach @ computer time, grade homework, manage behaviors, present at “back to school” nights, do bus and lunch duty, attend IEP meetings and try to get in a lunch somewhere WITHOUT getting paid. Everything that a teacher does, is what my friends had to do. You want it, you will definitely get it.
Not your question but, unless you have been offered very generous scholarships or come from a wealthy family, I’d encourage you to take a good hard look at the CSU schools. You’ll pay about $7k per year in tuition vs something like $45k at USD. As a teacher, CSUs have all the credibility you need and courses that easily map into the CSU credential programs - which all have nearly 100% placement rates into local schools. You simply won’t make enough money to see any value from the private school, liberal arts degree.
As I recall, Sonoma, Sac State and a few others offer a compressed degree that will have you teaching in your own classroom 4 years later; a pretty compelling proposition if you really know that’s what you want to do (Sonoma also has a real private school vibe - kinda the best of both worlds)
Good luck