What type of degree do you need in order to teach community college?

Question

I am pretty sure that you need a Masters in Ed, but I would like to know for sure. I already have my degree in Political Science, coupled with many state of IL. required courses. This question pertains to teaching in Chicago, IL. Thanks!

Answer 1

A masters degree is typically required (the exception would be some lower-level preliminary math courses that are sometimes taught by adjuncts with bachelor's degrees) with not necessarily a degree in a subject (although it is preferred) but a specific number of graduate credit hours in a subject. I was allowed to teach courses outside my major area because I had 18 hours of grad work in another field.

Community colleges are like other colleges in that doctorates are preferred for reasons such as accreditation; however, a masters degree with a set number of hours in the field is the minimum for full-time teaching often suffices.

Accreditation requires that some courses be taught by instructors with specific degrees. Education courses typically do require an MEd, and business classes typically require the MBA or appropriate degrees such as accounting.

So it depends on your field and the college at which you hope to teach. Good luck!

Answer 2

Professorships generally require at least master's degree in that field not one in education. That way you've proven that you have content knowledge needed for the classes. If you had a masters in education, you would know how to teach but not the content need for other subjects such as history, political science, chemistry, etc. I do not know if Illinois has specific guidelines, but here the university makes that decision and will have the information on their websites or with their Human Relations department. Good luck!

Answer 3

I believe you need a Master's in whatever subject you intend to teach. I would suggest you start looking at job postings on the websites of local community colleges to see what qualifications are listed.

Answer 4

It depends upon what the course is that you are planning to teach.
You do not necessarily need an M.Ed., for example to teach law, business, etc...