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Is community college good for future teachers?
How long does it take to be a teacher if you go to community college
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Briana’s Answer
Community college is a great way to get a degree that is valuable and affordable. It is a good idea to attend a community college for pre-requisite courses needed for a more intensive degree. If you want a degree for teaching, it needs to be at least a Bachelors degree (4 year). Most community colleges offer up to an associates degree (2 year), with credits that can be transfered to a four + year college.
Find out your state's degree requirements for teaching
Research local community college programs
Research local 4 year colleges that take transfer credits from community colleges
Ask a working teacher about how they obtained they credentials
Briana recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
julisa
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
I was a community college advisor and I have advised many community college students, who later became teachers.
In my opinion it takes as long for a community college student to complete the requirements for teaching, as it does for a student who attends a four year university.
Both students will be completing their general university requirements for at least the first two years, and then completing their major requirements needed for the bachelors degree, before moving on into the state certification program needed to attain the teaching certification.
I think community college is fantastic for future teachers, and I would recommend attending one, as a first step in achieving your future academic and teaching goals.
In my opinion it takes as long for a community college student to complete the requirements for teaching, as it does for a student who attends a four year university.
Both students will be completing their general university requirements for at least the first two years, and then completing their major requirements needed for the bachelors degree, before moving on into the state certification program needed to attain the teaching certification.
I think community college is fantastic for future teachers, and I would recommend attending one, as a first step in achieving your future academic and teaching goals.
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Donna’s Answer
This is a great question and it depends on what type of teacher you want to be, and where you want to teach.
I went to a community college and received my associate's degree in education. I did it because I couldn't afford state university at the time and it was a great option to get started. I was focused on elementary education at the time, and the associate degree was enough to work as an aid in a school or with preschoolers.
I eventually went back to school for a bachelor's degree in Career and Technical Education. That degree is good for post-secondary education - meaning working with adults after high school. With that degree, you can work in a tech school, a college, or in corporate training. Now I have my master's degree in Career & Tech Ed and I work full-time for a corporation.
Having my associate helped me get comfortable navigating college, it was cost-effective, and it guaranteed me getting into any state university because in my State they are affiliated. I agree with Brianne's advice above, doing your prerequisite can be much more affordable at a community college and credits are transferrable.
Good luck on your journey! This world needs more good teachers.
I went to a community college and received my associate's degree in education. I did it because I couldn't afford state university at the time and it was a great option to get started. I was focused on elementary education at the time, and the associate degree was enough to work as an aid in a school or with preschoolers.
I eventually went back to school for a bachelor's degree in Career and Technical Education. That degree is good for post-secondary education - meaning working with adults after high school. With that degree, you can work in a tech school, a college, or in corporate training. Now I have my master's degree in Career & Tech Ed and I work full-time for a corporation.
Having my associate helped me get comfortable navigating college, it was cost-effective, and it guaranteed me getting into any state university because in my State they are affiliated. I agree with Brianne's advice above, doing your prerequisite can be much more affordable at a community college and credits are transferrable.
Good luck on your journey! This world needs more good teachers.
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Jessica’s Answer
I'm not a teacher but I am a social worker. Any college is good for future teachers, in fact its required, but a community college diploma is still a diploma. Teachers are so important and make such an impact on kids but there just isn't enough of them. We need more!
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Gloria’s Answer
Hi Julisa,
Community college is a good way to get started with a college education on a smaller scale and for lower cost. I wish that I had started at a community college, since it would have reduced my student debt, especially with all the Core classes that all universities in a state need to require of their students. I would say that it is a good place to start for any major, not just teaching. I did attend community college during my long time trying to get a degree. I found that community colleges were smaller campuses making every resource easier to access - the student union, computer lab, etc.
The only advice that I would give you - make sure that your community college credits are transferrable to whatever 4-year university you want to attend. If they do not transfer, it is a waste of money.
Gloria
Community college is a good way to get started with a college education on a smaller scale and for lower cost. I wish that I had started at a community college, since it would have reduced my student debt, especially with all the Core classes that all universities in a state need to require of their students. I would say that it is a good place to start for any major, not just teaching. I did attend community college during my long time trying to get a degree. I found that community colleges were smaller campuses making every resource easier to access - the student union, computer lab, etc.
The only advice that I would give you - make sure that your community college credits are transferrable to whatever 4-year university you want to attend. If they do not transfer, it is a waste of money.
Gloria
Updated
Archived’s Answer
This is an good question in general.
As one of the other responders to the question stated, you pretty much need at least a bachelor degree to teach in grade school or high school.
Community college can be a good way to save money in college costs, assuming you are able to transfer credits to a 4-year college.
On the downside, the statistics are not favorable for students transferring from community college to 4-year colleges, see the article https://hechingerreport.org/how-often-do-community-college-students-who-get-transfer-get-bachelors-degrees/.
If you do go to a community college, check to see their success rate for students who go onto 4-year colleges (as you will need this if you want to teach). Best of luck to you!
As one of the other responders to the question stated, you pretty much need at least a bachelor degree to teach in grade school or high school.
Community college can be a good way to save money in college costs, assuming you are able to transfer credits to a 4-year college.
On the downside, the statistics are not favorable for students transferring from community college to 4-year colleges, see the article https://hechingerreport.org/how-often-do-community-college-students-who-get-transfer-get-bachelors-degrees/.
If you do go to a community college, check to see their success rate for students who go onto 4-year colleges (as you will need this if you want to teach). Best of luck to you!
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Joseph’s Answer
YES!!!! Community College is a great way to start any schooling. It is more affordable than even state schools. Why not get your required classes out of the way at a cheaper price? I have only a Community College degree and have had a wonderful career that has allowed me to live in a nice home in a nice neighborhood. Once you get out into the world and start doing your job your practical experience picks up and increases the opportunities in front of you. You may not always get the best pay with a 2 year degree alone, and I am not saying you shouldn't also look into transferring your credits to a 4 year school to finish your degree. Simply letting you know that you have options. Ensure the community college you choose transfers credits to the college you plan to transfer to (get it in writing from the 4 year school if possible). I have my own kids now and have encouraged them to start out at a community college to start and that transfer those credits forward to the 4 year college of their choice and my son after 2 years in community college was just accepted to his first choice college for his career choice and is very excited about the opportunities in front of him. Best of luck!
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Bianca’s Answer
Welcome to the start of a virtuous career! What subject are you interested in teaching?
To answer your question, attending community college is a very affordable way to take care of standard course prerequisites before pursuing a bachelor's degree! Look into education-based associate degrees. You will still have to take ELA and math courses, but having some Ed. classes in your coursework can benefit you.
To answer your question, attending community college is a very affordable way to take care of standard course prerequisites before pursuing a bachelor's degree! Look into education-based associate degrees. You will still have to take ELA and math courses, but having some Ed. classes in your coursework can benefit you.
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Alexa’s Answer
Community college is a great option. If you wanted to get your pre-requisites done at a community college, and then transfer to a four year college that is also an option! I would just make sure that if you go to grad school, they accept community college credits.
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John’s Answer
Community college can be a good option for individuals who want to become teachers. Community colleges typically offer lower tuition rates than four-year universities, which can be beneficial for students who are looking to save money on their education. Additionally, many community colleges have partnerships with four-year universities that allow students to transfer their credits and continue their education to earn a bachelor's degree. Some community colleges also offer teacher preparation programs that can help students meet the education requirements for becoming a teacher.