Is it possible to get a teachers certificate without a degree in education?

[Lizz]

I'm a college senior at an art school getting a bachelors degree in fashion design. I plan on moving to Portland, Oregon upon finishing school. I'd be interested in getting a teachers certificate to teach college students art classes. Is it possible to teach college with just a bachelors degree and a teachers certificate, or would I need to get my masters in education?

Can I take the test for a teachers certificate while I'm finishing up my bachelors, or do I need to graduate completely in order to get a certificate?

If I get a teachers certificate with my bachelors degree what are my options to teach?

How long does it take for the teachers certificate to process until I can start teaching? Do I have to start off as a teachers aid for a couple of years until I can start teaching on my own?

Answers to any of the above questions would help out a lot. Thank you for your time.

 

[Mad Scientist]

Each state may vary but in general you would need Post-Bachelor's credentials. This means either you would complete a specific program (about a year long) that consisted of courses pertaining to teaching methods and then complete student teaching to get your license or you would need to get your Masters degree. Full-time classroom teaching requires a license, not just a certificate. Alternately, many states don't require substitute teachers to have teaching credentials (or even a Bachelor's degree).

Having only a Bachelor's degree vs. having a Masters degree is only a matter of pay. In my area, it's almost $2,000 per year difference. Your options to teach are only limited by the number of positions available.

Ok, I'm going to leave the info I've already typed. As I'm going back to re-read your question I noticed you want to teach COLLEGE students. THAT is a whole different ballgame. The previous information was regarding teaching K-12.

Teaching at a college (whether a community college or a university) REQUIRES a Masters degree at minimum. It most cases they prefer it to be in your field of study that you will be teaching as opposed to getting an 'Education' related degree. Most art teachers have a Masters in Fine Arts beyond their Bachelors degree.

You may end up being a teacher's aid for a little while before teaching on your own - not because it's required but because there may not be an open position for an art teacher. You may want to look into getting your MFA and teaching credentials for Art K-12 simultaneously. It will at least open up the number of options you have once you graduate. If you cannot find a college position, you may consider teaching high school or even elementary students to gain experience and keep putting your resume out there until you land the job you really want.