Expert: James J. Kovalcin - 9/13/2009

Question
Hello, thanks for taking my question.  I am a CPA and a CMA (with a Bachelors degree in Accounting) with 19 years of Acctg/Finance work experience in the top New York banks. I turned 40 this year and was considering a teaching career.  

The only teaching experience I have is mentoring HS school students at one of my previous jobs and voluteering as an ESL tutor with the LVA. I do love teaching though and could teach Accounting/Finance but not sure how to get into it.  Not sure I would enjoy HS students but maybe community college level? Do I need to have a teaching degree? How do I apply?

Thanks!!  

Answer
An education degree is not required in most states. However, the "No Child Lest Behind" NCLB law does require a degree in the subject matter area. NCLB does not apply to junior colleges! However, junior colleges will have their own requirements - these are much more difficult to enumerate since most colleges make up their own rules and are less impacted by state and federal laws in this respect.
In any case you might find this site useful http://www.uky.edu/Education/TEP/usacert.html which has links to all 50 state's teacher certification rules.