What exactly is a teaching certificate and what can I do with one?

A teaching certificate (commonly refered to as a credentail) is issued by your state and says a few things:

it authorizes you to teach specific subjects and grade levels. (I am a secondary biology teacher) I can teach grades 6-12 in biology, general science or integrated science.

It says that you have completed a university or district teacher program. These commonly include your methods and curriculum courses. You will also have to do a student teacher portion.

It says you have passed subject matter competency. You will have to take a few tests cbest is the basic skills test, praxis or cset is your subject specific tests. It may be one test or it may be numerous tests.

It says you have other state specific requirements. I have a second language learner credential, depending on your state you might need one also. I also needed to have CPR training completed before they issued my credential.

What can you do with it?

you can teach in the specified subject.

You want to be a school councelor? need additional credential.

Administrator? additional credential.

Reading specialist or librarian? additional credential or masters.

good luck!

A teaching certificate basically says that you have training and have met the minimal requirements to teach. Just like doctors and lawyers get certified to set them apart so do teachers except now for teachers it is qualified so that we have more teachers teaching what they are educated in versus teaching everything else under the sun. Very few social studies majors can certifiably teach Senior math- Calc I and Calc II even though they can teach Econ, Am. Govt, Psychology, Sociology, Am. History, World History, Western Civ, World Geography, etc.

A teaching certificate allows you to teach in the area of your endorsement (elementary, Social Studies, Art, etc.). It is proof that you have met all the requirements for the state in which you will teach (PRAXIS exam, student teaching, perhaps a physical.) Some states will furnish emergency certifications to those like yourself who possess a Bachelor’s degree to allow you to teach while you meet additional requirements.

I’m also in MI. You’ll have to go to a college of ed and take some more classes – probably have to add on some psych courses, teaching in your content area, literacy, usually some gender and class studies, and student teaching.

Where are you in MI?

I got my initial certification through Albion College (Albion), and my MA through Madonna University (Livonia). Madonna (Livonia), Oakland (Rochester Hills), EMU, and Wayne State might also be good places to check out.

Teaching certificate means you passed all the requirements and are eligible to teach in your state. With a certificate you are then qualified to teach.

just because you have a b.a. of b.s in english you are not automatically qualified to teach……..more courses must be take……..contact the college you want to go to and they can provide you with all the courses you will need in order to get a teaching certificate……usually for a small fee……….i got a teaching cert after i got my b.a.

It is a license to teach! Depending on what tests you’ve passed and material you’ve covered will determine what grade levels and subjects you are qualified to cover.

teach english…if you went to college u should know this area