Would you recommend your college major?

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

Those certs usually take 12-18 months and thousands of dollars. May as well get a Masters in Education as get those. And it's really hard to get a job as a teacher without a cert in hand, so the Florida program isn't really helpful unless you've already got a job in a private school. (They'll hire you with a BA in a subject without a teaching cert more readily than most public schools will.)

Texas only requires 13 credit hours (3 semesters) of professional development coursework, plus whatever subject area coursework you may need based on the specific subject area you want to teach in.  Texas universities run certification programs for secondary education through the Liberal Arts or Natural Sciences departments, not Education.

[Valmy]

Those all look like bloody good starting salaries to me.

Yeah with every grad getting that average starting salary in...erm...something I wonder what all these indebted college grads are complaining about.

[MadBurgerMaker]

Yeah sure, I guess I'd recommend it.  Unless I was talking to someone who doesn't know shit about/like dealing with computers.  Then I'd maybe suggest they go for something else.

[Ideologue]

What are the background checks like at these private schools?  I got me a pseudo-doctorate.  I've never committed statutory rape as defined by the laws of my state.

[grumbler]

No you don't.  Most states accept certifications from various accredited entities, some of which do nothing bu teacher certifications.  The Florida DOE even runs their own certification program open to anyone holding a temporary certificate and currently employed as a teacher.

Ease of certification depends on the state (and sometimes school district).  Illinois is a pretty highly corrupt state, so you would expect the certification requirements to be higher than in a state where it costs more to buy politicians.  In general, the more union-friendly a state is, the higher the cert requirements.  I am certified to teach in Virginia, but would need to take three college courses to get certified in Michigan.

[grumbler]

What are the background checks like at these private schools?  I got me a pseudo-doctorate.  I've never committed statutory rape as defined by the laws of my state.

Background checks are pretty extensive.  You need to be better-qualified than the other candidates, as well as meeting the minimums, though.  Then again, if I got hired by an independent school, how hard could it be?

[merithyn]

No you don't.  Most states accept certifications from various accredited entities, some of which do nothing bu teacher certifications.  The Florida DOE even runs their own certification program open to anyone holding a temporary certificate and currently employed as a teacher.

Ease of certification depends on the state (and sometimes school district).  Illinois is a pretty highly corrupt state, so you would expect the certification requirements to be higher than in a state where it costs more to buy politicians.  In general, the more union-friendly a state is, the higher the cert requirements.  I am certified to teach in Virginia, but would need to take three college courses to get certified in Michigan.

Exactly.

[The Brain]

What are the background checks like at these private schools?  I got me a pseudo-doctorate.  I've never committed statutory rape as defined by the laws of my state.

They look into your eyes and see your soul.

[crazy canuck]

We have a couple teachers at my sons' private school who would not be able to teach in the public school system because they lack whatever credential it is they need for that.  One is a math teacher who has a Doctorate degree in Math.   He is an excellent teacher.

The other is a Chemistry teacher who worked for years in the field and has a doctorate in Chemistry.  He retired from his professional life and enjoys teaching.  He is also excellent.

They also have the benefit of higher pay and better working conditions than if they worked in the public school system.

We may have more who wouldnt have the credentials to work in the public school system.  These are the two I know.

[derspiess]

One of my best friends started off as an Education major but switched when he realized how bullshit it was.  He became a journo major instead

[crazy canuck]

One of my best friends started off as an Education major but switched when he realized how bullshit it was.  He became a journo major instead

[Malthus]

What are the background checks like at these private schools?  I got me a pseudo-doctorate.  I've never committed statutory rape as defined by the laws of my state.

Background checks are pretty extensive.  You need to be better-qualified than the other candidates, as well as meeting the minimums, though.  Then again, if I got hired by an independent school, how hard could it be?

I heard the background checking only goes back a century ... 

[grumbler]

I heard the background checking only goes back a century ... 

You heard... poorly.  /indianajonesandthelastcrusade

[CountDeMoney]

One of my best friends started off as an Education major but switched when he realized how bullshit it was.  He became a journo major instead

  From a bullshit field to a dying one.

[derspiess]

One of my best friends started off as an Education major but switched when he realized how bullshit it was.  He became a journo major instead

  From a bullshit field to a dying one.

He was smart enough to decide on a PR career after he did an internship.  And I'll be damned if that didn't turn out to be the perfect role for him.