[lizziebith]

Up until last year I was a Credential Analyst for the State of California. At that time everyone in the nation was struggling to find funding to implement Bush's unfunded mandate "No Child Left Behind" which radically altered the credentialing process across the nation. Basically becoming a teacher requires two basic components: demonstrating competence in a subject (or subjects, for elementary teaching) AND demonstrating proof of training in the teaching of said subject or subjects. NCLB basically erased the use of college coursework to demonstrate competence in a subject, so most states require passage of a subject matter exam (such as the CSET). Then you'll have to study to TEACH that subject. Some states will allow you to take teacher education courses concurrently with your baccalaureate degree. California requires that you take them afterward (the fifth-year rule). Because of differences like these (in California many other tests are required...) it is very difficult to take your credential to a different state--just so you know! Even teaching kindergarten will require passage of the CSET or a similar state-accepted and NCLB-compliant multiple subjects exam. Good luck!