What states require a Master's degree to teach elementary school?

Question

Which states require M.A. degrees to be a public school teacher? Does the District of Columbia require one?

Answer 1

In most states, to obtain initial licensure, a BS in education or the equivalent coursework and appropriate assessments are necessary. As of the date of this federal publication, there is not a master's requirement in any state.
http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/teachprep/2004/edlite-a1.html
The catch is that in consideration of NCLB (No Child Left Behind), many districts and private schools (not the state) are requiring teachers to meet "highly qualified" status in order to renew their contracts. (Of course, there's always money tied to this.) As mentioned by other posters, some districts require either inservice hours or courses equivalent to a specific number of college hours within two to three years of your first contract. Otherwise, you may be denied renewal of contract.
A district or a particular school may require/prefer that you have a master's degree but this is different from initial licensure from the state that gives you 'permission' to teach.

Hope this clarifies things for you,
Mon :-)

Answer 2

In Pennsylvania, where I teach, we are required to get the equivalent of 6 college credits every 5 years (ACT 48).

In the school district where I teach we are required to receive 24 credits toward our masters degree within five years from our hire date (and we have to earn the masters degree in order to go from an instructional I to an instructional II teaching certificate which is sort of the equivalency of "tenure" and also garners higher pay.

Each state is different so I suggest checking out the dept of education website for the state or commonwealth you are interested in which you are interested in teaching.

Good luck!

Answer 3

In VA, you will NOT get a job teaching elementary school teacher with just a bachelor's degree. You need an additional year or two of college and you must pass all of the exams that VA requires their teachers to take. In fact, at my school, ODU, you cannot receive a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

Answer 4

Usually schools in the Northeast of the country require it, or at least require you to get one within your first 2-3 years of teaching.

Answer 5

In Oregon, any level of teaching certificate requires that you either have a Master's degree, or that you are working towards obtaining one. (I'm not certain of the exact time limit, because my circumstances never required me to look into it.)

Answer 6

No state demands it, even if that's extremely worry-unfastened. In MN, fifty 8% of instructors have a masters (and that extensive style is increasing all of the time). I disagree which you may desire to have it to show. in case you are able to no longer get interior the door, be a para or sub, those pay ok and you gets your call accessible and your foot interior the door. good success!