My girlfriend currently holds a BA in English from University of Illinois - Chicago. She's been working in media for a little while but has recently decided that she'd like to switch careers a little and teach English in secondary school (6-12). We've been looking around at different colleges for a few days now, but only Governor's State seems to have a separate program set up for this case. Everywhere else just has your typical four-year bachelor's listed. She has not been working long enough to qualify for the state's accelerated certification program, unfortunately, and we can't seem to find anything tailored to this situation.

 

Before we start pestering college admissions/ advisers offices, I was wondering if anyone had some insight into this situation. How many classes does one typically have to take (in addition to student teaching and basic skills tests) to file for certification if you already hold a relevant bachelor's degree?

 

Thanks!

My girlfriend currently holds a BA in English from University of Illinois - Chicago. She's been working in media for a little while but has recently decided that she'd like to switch careers a little and teach English in secondary school (6-12). We've been looking around at different colleges for a few days now, but only Governor's State seems to have a separate program set up for this case. Everywhere else just has your typical four-year bachelor's listed. She has not been working long enough to qualify for the state's accelerated certification program, unfortunately, and we can't seem to find anything tailored to this situation.

 

Before we start pestering college admissions/ advisers offices, I was wondering if anyone had some insight into this situation. How many classes does one typically have to take (in addition to student teaching and basic skills tests) to file for certification if you already hold a relevant bachelor's degree?

 

Thanks!

 

This kind of stuff varies from state to state. Talk to some schools, they will give you the most accurate information.

I don't know if they work with future Illinois teachers, but Purdue Calument in Hammond has a program my wife went through for exactly this.

I don't know if they work with future Illinois teachers, but Purdue Calument in Hammond has a program my wife went through for exactly this.

 

Do you remember how long it took or how many classes it was?

Do you remember how long it took or how many classes it was?

 

It depends on how "into" the program you get. If she isn't working, she can get it done in about a year. If she is working, it will be more like 3. The big question mark is student teaching, which they will let you do for a semester if you can go into a classroom under someone else, or if you are a teacher already, it would be 3 years of actual teaching. I never understood how being a teacher is worth 1/6 of being a real teacher, but that is how the program is set up. The classes themselves can be done in a minimal amount of time. The nice thing is that the classes to work around the "normal" teachers schedule, so if she is working, she can continue to do so. The link is below if you she is interested.

 

http://www.calumet.purdue.edu/education/tr...each/index.html

Yeah, it really depends from state to state, school to school.

It must be state by state. A BA is about all you need in Texas to enter an alternative cert program. It involves 4-6 weeks in the summer and then student teaching, for pay, the balance of the school year. The cost is $3,000 to $4,000 via payroll deductions. Dallas public schools has a program as well, they hire 900 or so every year.

 

You may also want to check out Teach for America. Relocation may be necessary.

Thanks for the information everyone.

 

She started contacting schools yesterday and is hoping to go back full-time this summer.

my buddy had a graphic arts degree from Grand Valley St and ran into a similar situation. He went back to North Central College in Naperville and was a teacher 2 years later.