What degree do you need to teach college?

Question

I am going back to school next year to obtain my master's degree, and would eventually like to teach college courses. I am a bit confused, though, on the level of education I will need. Do you need a masters or higher?

Answer 1

At a community college you will need a masters degree. To teach at a university you will need Ph.D., or you will need to be working on your Ph.D. while you teach.

Answer 2

first, you aren't too old to teach and you have a great attitude to see the kids get taught by someone who is an accredited teacher and not just a college grad. People seem to think that there isn't any money in teaching and so they go where the money is. This is why there is a shortage. Another reason is because unless you are doing pretty well you can't afford the first 6 months of working with no pay. I only have an AA degree yet I taught computer programming for five years to new recruits in the Air Force. Loved the job. My AA is in Military Instruction and my other AA is in Management Information Science. I also achieved a Master Instructor rating and yet I am not allowed to teach (except maybe in Mississippi). Go figure.

Answer 3

I think it depends on the state you are in.
NY is strict about things like this....to teach at a college you need a Masters which is minimal. Most associate professors have masters. some universities, esp. privates require a Ph.d but they are alittle harder to find in certain curriculum areas and in geographic locations.

Answer 4

A BA degree is sufficient for 2 year colleges and for some undergraduate classes in 4 year colleges.

You will only be considered a Lecturer and may only qualify for parttime work.

If you want to get the title of "professor" or even "assistant professor" or if you want to become a department head you need an MA or above.

Answer 5

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Wow, where do you live? In my state we had a massive turn-over of teachers because of the No Child Left Behind guidelines that our state imposed. We found that so many of our teachers were not "highly qualified" that we had 4 to retire and many of us shuffled around. One math teacher was told she was not highly qualified to teach 7th grade math because she did not have a Middle School Education degree. She had taught 7th grade math for 25 years. The thought of hiring someone without and Education Degree would be laughable in my district. I guess there are just many more certified teachers in the area I live.

Answer 6

In my experience, most colleges and universities won't even talk to you unless you have that Ph.D. It adds glamour and status to their faculty list.

At junior colleges, community colleges or adult ed, a Masters will usually get you in.

Answer 7

you need at least a masters degree in the subject area you would like to teach