Hi There
Can you receive a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and not be certified? Trying to go back to school after 10+ yrs. I'm doing it for personal reasons. I don't want to teach in a classroom.
Thanks everyone!
Yes. You can receive the degree and never go take the test that would allow you to be state certified. They are 2 different things actually.
Yes, you can get your BS in any field in education without getting certified, provided you don't plan to teach in the public school setting. The certification process is a separate process through the state. For the person below who asked why it matters....you have less stress if you don't have to worry about preparing for the exam, plus you aren't having to pay the money to test. The tests are not cheap. I'm certified to teach in two states, and the testing process was separate through the state for both. Good for you for working toward your goal!
Why does it matter? If you have to get certified, you still don't have the teach in a classroom if you don't want to
You can receive a Bachelors degree in any education field and not get certified by the state. To get certified, you have to register for and take the certification tests given by the Illinois State Board of Education - and it's your choice as to whether or not you do that. Of course, not getting certified could potentially limit your possibilities for employment BUT if you're not looking to work in a classroom setting then it probably isn't a big deal.
Most places that hire ECE graduates are looking for certification, but if you are doing it for personal reasons (homeschooling, I assume??), then go for it. Enjoy your classes! Not worrying about certification can take a lot of pressure off of your studies. (I have a bachelor in elementary ed and I'm working on a master's degree right now. Somedays, it's just too much pressure!!)
Just to be on the safe side, get some academic advising just in case you want/need to teach in the future. Good luck!
Ask the University where you are registered, or the Program Director.
Yes, you just may not be able to go and teach in the classroom as a head teacher in a public school, but I know some early childhood places may let you as they only require certain ece hours.
Yes, certification is solely based on the state exam which you do not have to take.
when i was in college working towards my elementary education and special education certificates (degree in el. ed. and sp. ed.) it was called "a letter of approval in early childhood." it was only 6 credits to obtain, so most working on elementary ed. did the extra classes to get the letter of approval in ece. maybe thongs have changed since this was in the 80's. good luck!!
