Licensed to Ill?
by Al
You know, with my shiny Master’s degree, I’m supposedly able to teach accredited classes in some jurisdictions (if not all). As I recall, I can teach college undergrads, at least for topics where I have enough credits (which is odd when you have a Humanities interdisciplinary MA).
I should actually figure out what the rules and regulations are around this area though. Since I am in the People’s Democratic Republic of California, there is probably enough red tape to key all of the angels in Heaven (or is it all of the Bodhisattvas in all of the Pure Lands?) busy for a kalpa or two.
If any of my loving readers have any particular insight into this, I would love to know the details. I do know that in order to teach High School and the like, I would have to get a specific teaching certificate but I’m not sure of the college rules.
Now, all that being said, I’m not likely to be teaching college courses at any point in the near future but one never does know…
Comments
Hey Al,
I don't have any particular insight, but I've had friends who taught jr./community colleges with a masters. They liked it because it involved more teaching and no publishing requirements, but I suspect you might actually _like_ publishing.
I've never taught in California but I have taught at the college level as a full instructor with “merely” :) an MA. Community colleges and/or the “continuing education” or equivalent extension campuses of larger universities (those with 2-Year Degrees or Certifications aimed at practical employment, for example) are your best bet. Dig through the HR websites and follow those particular application processes but also (and I cannot stress this enough) send a CV and cover letter to the heads of any departments or college extension schools in which you would like to teach. If you can pull together a sample (or full) syllabus (I wouldn't necessarily send it unsolicited) for your own reference, so much the better. Frequently, administrators find themselves short an instructor for core/required electives at the last minute – if your CV is on their mind, you're likely to get a call. And besides, all they can say is “no.” You might also find yourself some chances to teach “continuing education” (or similarly titled) courses – usually this means no grades and, depending on what you're teaching, no real grading either, just sharing your particular knowledge with a group of interested people who are willing to pay for the privilege.