what credentials do you need to teach a liberal arts subject at a community college?

Question

Do you need an MA in the subject or a PhD?

Answer 1

For academic subjects at the transfer level - vocational subjects and remedial ed are different.

It depends on the college and the department. If you look at the open positions at most community colleges, you will find that they almost universally read as: "Masters degree in History or Masters degree with 18 graduate hours in History." (a real example for history instructor at Horry-Georgetown Technical College open right now)

Some will prefer a PhD but the above is what is "required" by most. A few states license community college teachers but most don't, you'll need to check about your state.

A master's in education is not a master's in the subject. Many public school teachers at the pre-college level find that their master's isn't sufficient to teach in college. In this case, an additional master's degree or a program of 18 graduate hours is needed.

There is an interesting Master's offered at Western New Mexico U. wherein someone can get 18 hours in two subjects in the same master's. The subjects are Computer Science – Management Information Services, Criminal Justice, Education, English, History, Political Science, Psychology.
http://www.wnmu.edu/VirtualCampus/InterdisciplinaryMasters.htm

Another option for teaching area graduate credit is the graduate certificate offered at many colleges.

Bottom line: The minimum requirements to teach the academic subjects at the community college level is a master's in the subject OR a master's and 18 hours in the subject.

note: in very many cases, a PhD isn't an advantage when looking for a community college position. Sometimes, the search committee wants to avoid the PhD candidate for any number of reasons. The PhD doesn't always get the job at this level over an MA/MS holder.

Answer 2

community college you only need a Masters, along with highschool as well. I don't know where this guy^ got off on saying PhD. A good number of universities still employee first graduate degree holders, but the full time positions are always going to go to the doctorate holders.

Answer 3

WOW.....Not going to lie this is an impressive list. Well coming my personal experiences I've talked to Dartmouth, John Hopkins, and the Naval Academy (all were for football but they all told me the same thing). Now I didn't have near the extra curriculars you do and since I was going to play a sport they didn't care that I wasn't involved. If you score well on the SAT 1800-2400 I am absolutely POSITIVE that the majority of the schools will accept you assuming you keep your G.P.A. This is very impressive and I wish you the best of luck with your decision.

Answer 4

PhD