How do I become a teacher in NY state?

Does the school you are attending offer a degree in education? If they do, make an appointment with an adviser to find out how to earn that degree. You might be able to get a degree in education with an endorsement to teach history.

Is a bachelors in education a requirement in NYS then? I’d really rather not change programs if it isn’t strictly necessary.

Why don’t you do a search for the home page of some school districts in your area? Their sites should have a pretty good description of the requirements to teach in the district. I would venture a guess that in most states a teaching credential is required to be a full-time teacher and to get it you are going to have to take at least some classes to learn how to be an effective teacher. The best place for you to begin to get these questions answered is with an adviser at the college you are attending.

Possibly, though I have little confidence in the advisors at my school. I know I need a teacher’s certificate, but the requirements for getting one are incredibly vague. Most searches I have done only direct me to multi-year programs through online schools, and suggest that their particular undergraduate/graduate program is the best way to become a teacher. There are programs in education all throughout NYS, but I was wondering if there was a simpler way. I don’t doubt that I should take a teaching courses, but is is necessary that I change my major (adding an additional two to three years to my schooling) I know that in Canada (where I grew up) after completing a bachelor’s degree in a “teachable” major, you can apply for teacher’s college which will then certify you. I was wondering if anyone knew, from first hand knowledge preferably, what the actual requirements were to apply for a certification or a certification program in New York. Thanks for the help though.

We have a family member who teaches in a private school. Their requirements for teachers are a bit different than for public schools. Sometimes if they cannot find someone with a teaching degree, on a temporary basis, they can get away with hiring someone with any 4 year diploma. I think there has to be a certain percentage of the teachers in a private school with teaching degrees. If that person wants to continue in that field, they can pursue a teaching degree while continuing to teach at that school. Of course, they still have to pass background checks, etc. I don’t know if this helps, and my relative is not in NY.

@snowberry – Yeah, that sounds consistent with what I’ve read. Sounds like a great way to start! It seems that substitutes only need a 4 year degree, and pass a competency test, to get started, which seems ideal considering where I am right now. Some are saying that you really should get a masters in Education, but I’m just not sure. It’s taken me a while to get this far, and another couple years of school might stretch to 3 or 4, given my patterns.