2 answers
Ellie
Student
Norwood Young America, Minnesota
1
Question
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What type of major is best for teaching high school theology?
Hello all! I am planning on becoming a deaconess and would love to be able to work within a school setting. The program I will be enrolled in requires a Theology major, though I have also heard that an education background is beneficial to have classroom management skills and other teaching knowledge. Would a minor suffice for this purpose or would a double major in education and theology work better? Is there an alternate path to having an education background without actually majoring or minoring in it?
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2 answers
Jennifer Bloomquist- CIPP/US/E, CIPM
Risk Specialist for Privacy and Confidentiality Impact Accessments
23
Answers
Clarksville, Tennessee
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Ellie,
It's possible that you'll need both. Even at a lot of private schools, there is a requirement to be a licensed teacher if you're planning on teaching at the elementary, middle, or high school levels. If there is a particular religion or denomination that you are targeting for where you want to teach, I suggest searching for open jobs at those schools to see if they require an education degree and license from whatever state the school is in. If that is the case, you'll likely need to go through an education program so that you do learn things like classroom management, educational psychology, etc. as well as spend time in observation and later as a student teacher. Every state is different, but they may require that you have a bachelor's degree in both.
When I was in school, the way my state handled it was that one of the licensure requirements for teaching in a subject matter for being a secondary school teacher to get a teaching license was a bachelor's degree in that first subject. A minor or additional classes to get a second licensure were required if a teacher wanted to teach in more than one subject, so I had B.A.s in English, Spanish, and Education. I knew a lot of people who got double licensure, though, who didn't have a B.A. in the second subject but rather just took whatever number of credits were required by the state in that second subject or a minor, whichever worked the best with the number of credits required by the school vs. state for that second subject. I also knew a lot of teachers who just did the major in one subject and then when they had to take continuing education credits throughout their careers to keep their licensure would then pick up a second licensure. That's useful if you're in a smaller school that can't support a full time theology teacher but maybe needs a second subject to be taught. I've known a lot of religion teachers (I went to a Catholic high school and college) who doubled up with theology or religious studies with either philosophy or English as a popular combination for either a second major or a minor.
Some religious schools in some states might not require state licensure, but I would do a lot of research before choosing to go that route.
If you're looking to teach at the college or graduate school level, I would ask your potential advisor for resources so you can research what the norm is where you live. To teach at college or university, usually at least a Master's Degree is needed in the subject area, with a PhD, an EdD, or a PsyD required at a lot of schools to teach full time in a university.
If you're looking to teach as an employee of a church and you're looking to teach adults but not as part of a school setting, then you'll want to talk to the leadership of the church denomination or sect locally to see what is required. Most people I've ever known who teach in any of these settings required a degree in theology or religious studies. The exception are the people I know who are elementary school teachers in religious schools. The licensure there is in elementary education, so that is the degree sought.
It's possible that you'll need both. Even at a lot of private schools, there is a requirement to be a licensed teacher if you're planning on teaching at the elementary, middle, or high school levels. If there is a particular religion or denomination that you are targeting for where you want to teach, I suggest searching for open jobs at those schools to see if they require an education degree and license from whatever state the school is in. If that is the case, you'll likely need to go through an education program so that you do learn things like classroom management, educational psychology, etc. as well as spend time in observation and later as a student teacher. Every state is different, but they may require that you have a bachelor's degree in both.
When I was in school, the way my state handled it was that one of the licensure requirements for teaching in a subject matter for being a secondary school teacher to get a teaching license was a bachelor's degree in that first subject. A minor or additional classes to get a second licensure were required if a teacher wanted to teach in more than one subject, so I had B.A.s in English, Spanish, and Education. I knew a lot of people who got double licensure, though, who didn't have a B.A. in the second subject but rather just took whatever number of credits were required by the state in that second subject or a minor, whichever worked the best with the number of credits required by the school vs. state for that second subject. I also knew a lot of teachers who just did the major in one subject and then when they had to take continuing education credits throughout their careers to keep their licensure would then pick up a second licensure. That's useful if you're in a smaller school that can't support a full time theology teacher but maybe needs a second subject to be taught. I've known a lot of religion teachers (I went to a Catholic high school and college) who doubled up with theology or religious studies with either philosophy or English as a popular combination for either a second major or a minor.
Some religious schools in some states might not require state licensure, but I would do a lot of research before choosing to go that route.
If you're looking to teach at the college or graduate school level, I would ask your potential advisor for resources so you can research what the norm is where you live. To teach at college or university, usually at least a Master's Degree is needed in the subject area, with a PhD, an EdD, or a PsyD required at a lot of schools to teach full time in a university.
If you're looking to teach as an employee of a church and you're looking to teach adults but not as part of a school setting, then you'll want to talk to the leadership of the church denomination or sect locally to see what is required. Most people I've ever known who teach in any of these settings required a degree in theology or religious studies. The exception are the people I know who are elementary school teachers in religious schools. The licensure there is in elementary education, so that is the degree sought.
Sonjanita L. Moore
Adjunct Professor
19
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Sonjanita L.’s Answer
Hi, I’m not sure what kind of schools you want to teach in, but I assume you’re only planning to teach in Catholic or religious schools. I ask because a good first step is to sign up to be a registered volunteer with your local archdiocese school district to see what it’s like.
As someone who’s been in education for 31 years, I can honestly say that it is ESSENTIAL to have some understanding of pedagogy, child and adolescent development and backwards design (how to set up lessons and unit). Knowing your content IS NOT enough to establish trust & rapport with your students, respect of your supervisors and colleagues.
You might consider asking your college if they have existing relationships with any area schools or youth organizations like boys and girls club, the local library, etc.
As someone who’s been in education for 31 years, I can honestly say that it is ESSENTIAL to have some understanding of pedagogy, child and adolescent development and backwards design (how to set up lessons and unit). Knowing your content IS NOT enough to establish trust & rapport with your students, respect of your supervisors and colleagues.
You might consider asking your college if they have existing relationships with any area schools or youth organizations like boys and girls club, the local library, etc.