2 answers
Ava
Student
Greeneville, Tennessee
1
Question
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Can I teach pre-K with an interdisciplinary studies degree?
The University I plan to attend only offers interdisciplinary studies for a teaching degree. I want to teach pre-K. Will I be able to teach pre-K with that degree or will I need to get a separate endorsement?
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2482
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ava !
There is no "endorsement" to be a Pre-K teacher in your state of Tennessee. You would need a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education and obtain your teaching license. The courses you choose for doing this path interdisciplinary may not meet the requirements to be a teacher or obtain your teaching license.
Sorry to re-direct you for a Major, but I am concerned that when you start sending your resume out for teaching jobs, showing that you don't have the degree in Education or Early Childhood Education, you may miss out on being contacted for important job interviews.
The closest college to you in Greeneville that offers a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education is Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. This will prepare you to teach pre-K through 3rd grade. This is the path that I highly recommend. It's not going to be worth it to take any other path, in my opinion, because this study needs to be focused and precise. You do not need a minor to teach, but if you can fit one in, it should be very focused and connected to Education to be valuable to you as a professional and as an academic credential that qualifies you on your resume so you can be assured of obtaining job interviews when you graduate. Go over this information with your high school guidance counselor. One of your teachers would also be familiar with this as they've gone through the Education path already.
Keep in mind that the best pace for this is to just have the Major, no special quick track or double major. It's not necessary and to do it for just a Major will give you lots of time to do classwork, assignments, practicums and student teaching if that's included in your Education courses.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
There is no "endorsement" to be a Pre-K teacher in your state of Tennessee. You would need a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education and obtain your teaching license. The courses you choose for doing this path interdisciplinary may not meet the requirements to be a teacher or obtain your teaching license.
Sorry to re-direct you for a Major, but I am concerned that when you start sending your resume out for teaching jobs, showing that you don't have the degree in Education or Early Childhood Education, you may miss out on being contacted for important job interviews.
The closest college to you in Greeneville that offers a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education is Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. This will prepare you to teach pre-K through 3rd grade. This is the path that I highly recommend. It's not going to be worth it to take any other path, in my opinion, because this study needs to be focused and precise. You do not need a minor to teach, but if you can fit one in, it should be very focused and connected to Education to be valuable to you as a professional and as an academic credential that qualifies you on your resume so you can be assured of obtaining job interviews when you graduate. Go over this information with your high school guidance counselor. One of your teachers would also be familiar with this as they've gone through the Education path already.
Keep in mind that the best pace for this is to just have the Major, no special quick track or double major. It's not necessary and to do it for just a Major will give you lots of time to do classwork, assignments, practicums and student teaching if that's included in your Education courses.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
604
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Ava,
As far as I can see you need a bachelors degree in early childhood education to teach pre-K in TN. Interdisciplinary studies is only approved for K-5 education.
If you want to study to be a pre-K teacher, Union University's School of Education has a Teaching and Learning major with Interdisciplinary Studies as a second major that leads to licensure for K-5. You can then add a preK-3 endorsement.
I would recommend that you talk to academic advisors at different universities to find out what's the best path for you.
I hope this helps! All the best for your teaching future!
KP
https://www.preschoolteacher.org/requirements/
https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/licensing/educator-licensure.html
https://www.uu.edu/programs/education/undergraduate/
As far as I can see you need a bachelors degree in early childhood education to teach pre-K in TN. Interdisciplinary studies is only approved for K-5 education.
If you want to study to be a pre-K teacher, Union University's School of Education has a Teaching and Learning major with Interdisciplinary Studies as a second major that leads to licensure for K-5. You can then add a preK-3 endorsement.
I would recommend that you talk to academic advisors at different universities to find out what's the best path for you.
I hope this helps! All the best for your teaching future!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps: