Can You Teach With a Nationally Accredited Doctorate?
Teachers enjoy helping students grow intellectually and emotionally, despite all the challenges. In order to qualify as a teacher, you must have a certain amount of education. A nationally accredited doctorate degree will meet every state's minimum educational requirement. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 3.5 million individuals held teaching positions in 2008 and a 13 percent increase will develop over the next 10 years.
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Traditional Route
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The traditional route for becoming a teacher includes completing a bachelor's degree program from an accredited college. Every state requires that the bachelor's degree include a certain amount of credit hours. A teacher must have specialized training in certain subjects such as early childhood development, math and English, before being eligible to teach these subjects. Once you meet the state's minimum educational standards, you qualify for the certification examination. A doctorate degree meets the minimum educational standards for every state. For example, the State of Texas requires a prospective teacher have a bachelor's degree in any academic major.
Alternative Certification
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Many states have set up an alternative certification program because of the shortage of educators for a particular subject. The alternative certification program bypasses the basic traditional standards and ignores the requirements because of the shortage of teachers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state will license a teacher that does not have the necessary education courses to meet the traditional licensing requirements. The state will expect you to obtain the credentials to meet the regular license qualifications after a probationary period.
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Licensing and Certification
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Every state, including Washington, D.C., requires that all teachers have a state license or certification. In order to receive a license or certification, you will be required to take and pass a licensing examination. For example, Texas requires a teacher to pass two different certification examinations before being eligible for a teaching assignment. The exams test your competency of basic skills, such as reading, writing and mathematics, as well as exhibit proficiency in your selected academic subject. A nationally accredited doctorate degree only meets the educational requirements of each state.
Private School Teaching
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Private schools have their own teacher qualification standards. You must check with the private school to find out its guidelines, but a nationally accredited doctorate degree meets all private school educational requirements. Specialty private schools, such as music, arts or drama schools, concentrate on teachers that have experience and education in these subjects. Depending on your nationally accredited doctorate degree major, you will be qualified to teach in one of these schools.
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References
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