Teaching degree as a back up

[LHS Student]

I am not sure if this has been asked before, but I did search the archives and could not find anything specific to my question. If I decide not to be/can't become a Doctor, I would want to be a high school teacher. I want a "back up" plan if for whatever reason the career as a doctor does not present itself at a later time in my educational career. Would majoring in a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in biology and minoring in secondary education (certification to be an 8th-12th grade science teacher), be a good path to take or will this deter/complicate my path as a "pre-med". Would it be better just to be a Biology major, and If I don't go to med school go back and get my teaching certification or whatever career path I choose? I'm just simply looking for anyone's opinion or experience in this area. If you need any clarifications I would be glade to answer them. Thanks🙂

Side note: To do the program I am currently looking into, you must minor in secondary education and major in multidisciplinary studies. All individuals in this major are required to complete CHEM 1107, 1108, 1307, 1308, PHYS 1403, 1404, GEOL 1101, 1102, 1303, 1304, BIOL 1403 1404, ATMO 1300, ASTR 1400, and 1100. The minimum number of hours required for a major in multidisciplinary science is a total of 129. This major requires 57 to 61 semester hours in science.

Could I easily fit in the pre-requisites/or already included, and still graduate in 4 years? I'm also not completely against going a 5th year if need be as of now.

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[billw]

The answer really depends on your state. The requirements to be a teacher can be pretty byzantine. Some states require a master's to teach and therefore you need to meet all the requirements to get into grad school. Some do other levels of certification. Teaching a specific subject often requires a specific set of classes to be taken (for example - 5 credits of genetics, 5 credits of cell biology, 5 credits of ecology, etc).

Presumably, if this degree is offered as "teaching prep," it meets the requirements for your state, but you might want to look into exactly what the certification requirements are for the subject you want to teach.

In my state, for example, I would not be able to get certification to teach high school math with a stats degree because I haven't taken some of the right mid-level math courses. I would not be able to teach biology with a microbiology degree because I lack classes in vertebrate zoology and botany.

The degree looks like fun. Presumably it covers most of your prereqs, although those class numbers don't mean anything to anyone who doesn't attend that school. The best pre-med path is one that you are interested in.

 

[loveoforganic]

The above is all really solid advice, so I'll just add a couple things.

Whether that track will allow you to get teaching certification or not, you can potentially enter a teaching job and take masters education classes part time over the course of three years or so to become certified. It would generally be an advantage to already be certified however.

Also, private schools aren't mandated to hire only teachers with certification, and thus, many (maybe most) private schools don't require certification.

 

[nisarg2010]

I am not sure if this has been asked before, but I did search the archives and could not find anything specific to my question. If I decide not to be/can't become a Doctor, I would want to be a high school teacher. I want a "back up" plan if for whatever reason the career as a doctor does not present itself at a later time in my educational career. Would majoring in a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in biology and minoring in secondary education (certification to be an 8th-12th grade science teacher), be a good path to take or will this deter/complicate my path as a "pre-med". Would it be better just to be a Biology major, and If I don't go to med school go back and get my teaching certification or whatever career path I choose? I'm just simply looking for anyone's opinion or experience in this area. If you need any clarifications I would be glade to answer them. Thanks🙂

Side note: To do the program I am currently looking into, you must minor in secondary education and major in multidisciplinary studies. All individuals in this major are required to complete CHEM 1107, 1108, 1307, 1308, PHYS 1403, 1404, GEOL 1101, 1102, 1303, 1304, BIOL 1403 1404, ATMO 1300, ASTR 1400, and 1100. The minimum number of hours required for a major in multidisciplinary science is a total of 129. This major requires 57 to 61 semester hours in science.

Could I easily fit in the pre-requisites/or already included, and still graduate in 4 years? I'm also not completely against going a 5th year if need be as of now.

I think the major you picked would be a very cool major. It would give you a lot to write about on your applications and would be great conversation starter during your intervews due to its uniqueness. Im sure you would be able to finish the requirments in 4 years (might have to take summer classes).
good luck

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Unforunately k-12 teaching is very much dictated by the state legislature and the teacher's union. The advice about pursuing the certification while you teach is solid, as many places will work with an otherwise well-qualified applicant.

There is a bit of a rub between the teachers who go through an education program with a plan to teach, and the teachers who come from an outside area, but because of their training can get qualified to teach. Some districts/school systems are more flexible with getting good people through the door, while other ones will require you have everything up front AND a ton of experience. I know someone who was qualified to teach at the undergraduate level, but she could not teach at her local high school because she lacked the right certification(s).