Students enrolled in college programs sometimes want to know if they need a degree in education to teach in a private school. This is because they hear that some private schools hire teachers with degrees in other areas other than teaching. Private schools are no subject to the same rules, regulations and restrictions as public schools and have the right to develop their own employment rules. This means that you may find work as a teacher in a private school with a degree in another field.
Becoming a Certified Teacher
All 50 states in the country require that those teaching in public schools are certified teachers. To become a certified teacher, you must have a bachelor’s degree in education, which includes a certain number of hours working as a student teacher, and pass a criminal background check. Some states also require that teachers complete an in-depth education examination. Depending on where you live, you may find work in public schools with a degree in another field. Certain states let you begin your teaching degree as long as you agree to go back to school and finish a degree in education within a set period of time.
Public vs. Private School
As private schools do not follow the same hiring regulations as public schools do, it’s possible that you do not need a degree in education to teach in a private school. These schools look for applicants who possess a bachelor’s degree or a higher degree in a field where they have an opening. A bachelor’s degree in chemistry may qualify you for a position in the science department, for example. Keep in mind that private schools may limit its teaching staff only to those with a graduate degree.
Other Requirements
Working as a teacher in a private school isn’t as easy as just going to college and later filling out an application. Many of the private schools in the country today have some type of religious affiliation and require that its teachers follow that same faith. These schools will also require that all applicants go through an extensive background check and that applicants are free of any misdemeanors or felonies on their records. Some schools may also demand a copy of the thesis you did in college, request your college transcripts or ask for other documents relating to your degree.
Future Outlook for Teachers
Though you might not need a degree in education to teach in a private school, you will still want to know how much you can make. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which does not differentiate between public and private school teachers, found that the median pay among elementary school teachers was more than $53,000 a year. The BLS also determined that this field will grow at a rate of 12 percent between 2012 and 2022, which will lead to an addition of more than 180,000 jobs. The rate of growth among junior high and high school teachers is fairly similar.
Related Resource: Instructional Coach
Private school teachers work in school districts that receive funding from different sources and may have a religious affiliation. College students often want to know if they need a degree in education to teach in a private school, but many of these schools accept new teachers who have a bachelor’s or a more advanced degree in a specific subject rather than looking only at education degree holders.
