Expert: Bonnie Shimmin - 9/6/2011

Question
what are top colleges for a teaching degree?
How many years of college do you need for a teaching degree?
What types of degrees are there for college?
Do you have to take different coarse for certain subject?
Are there different college courses you have to take between elementary school, middle school, high school, and university?

Answer
Dear Ajay,

1)  I would assume Harvard School of Education would be top.  I went there for summer classes for principals and it was a tremendous educational opportunity.  Most people don't get that chance, but if you can go there, I'd say it was top.  Also Columbia is considered to be excellent in education.  On the west coast, the Claremont Colleges offer a very good program.

2)  In order to teach, you need to go to a four year college and major in the subject you wish to teach if you teach in secondary school.  In order to teach in elementary education, you need a bachelor's degree; in California there is no degree in education for undergraduates.  Then you need to go to graduate school for about two years in order to obtain a teaching credential.  

3)  At the end of your undergraduate year you will receive a BA or BS.

4)  I'm unsure about what you mean here, except that you must major in the subject you wish to teach in secondary school.  

5)  You will be taking different classes during the credential portion of your study for elementary school or secondary school.  In order to teach at the university level, you must have an MA in the subject you wish to teach.  Most people teaching at the college level have doctorates.