How can I teach in University with just a Masters?

Do I need a master's degree in teaching in addition to my bachelor's in english in order to teach?

• I am a junior in college, working towards getting my Bachelor's degree in English Literature. At my school I can continue on for another 1.5 years to get a degree in education as well, but I was wondering if getting my masters somewhere else would be just as good. I do not plan on staying at the same school for simple reasons... trying out a new place... keeping my options open... new experience... etc. However, I do not know if it is possible to attempt a masters in secondary education if I only have an English degree rather that a teaching one. Teaching secondary english has been my goal ever since graduating high school, but sadly my choice in university has proven difficult because they do not have an actual "Bachelor's in education" like many other schools do. They only have this for elementary, but I want to be secondary. So instead of going to a school where I learned how to be a secondary english teacher, I can only do english. Now, instead of doing the extra year and a half of school at the university I am at, I want to go somewhere new. But instead of doing teacher certification tests and all that other stuff (though I do know each state requires their own test), I want to know if getting a master's degree in teaching will both allow me the ability to teach high school as well as do so straight away. Also, is it better to find a job if I do so? In other words, I'm a little confused as to how to become a secondary english teacher with a bachelor's degree in english. I would LOVE help from anyone, but someone with experience with this would be more than fantastic. ONE MORE THING: I want to be an international school teacher. I grew up internationally learning either through IB or the american curriculum. So if anyone out there has experience teaching at international schools, your info would be much appreciated.

• Answer:

  The one thing that allows you to teach is a teachers license. You can be a student teacher, or a teachers aide without a license, but if you want your own students and classroom, then you need a teachers license. Of course the only way to achieve one is through the certification process of the various states. Yes, you can get your Masters degree in eduction, but that does not grant you a teachers license. A Masters in education will set you apart from the other teachers, but it is not a doorway to teaching. The teachers license is a separate entity that has to be earned.