Community College Teaching Certification

[Tom Head]

Yesterday, I received an application packet (and a list of courses offered in the fields of philosophy and religious studies) from the faculty services department of a community college in another state. Very excited, I began to fill out the form when I came to an odd paragraph: enclose a photocopy of your regular or provisional community college teaching certification.

Near as I can tell, we don't have those in Mississippi; I've never heard of anyone having to request one, and the whole process looks to be a pain in the butt. I easily meet the requirements for my chosen fields, but will have to have the application form notarized and new official, sealed transcripts mailed to the relevant state office so that they can be evaluated before my certification is awarded. Then, and only then, do I get to photocopy this precious certificate and apply to actually teach classes.

I'm relatively new to the world of community colleges, so I have to ask: is this at all a common requirement, or can it be safely described as unusual?


Cheers,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

[John Bear]

Not likely to be helpful, but . . . When I was about your age, Tom, I filled out a simple California form, had Bachelor's and Master's transcripts sent, and almost by return mail got a "Lifetime community college credential." It says it is for the field of "communication services," whatever that may mean (not my choice), and to the best of my recollection I've never been asked to show it, or even if I have one, in teaching at three California JCs -- advertising, psychology, marketing, communication.

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[Tom Head]

Originally posted by John Bear:
Not likely to be helpful, but . . . When I was about your age, Tom, I filled out a simple California form, had Bachelor's and Master's transcripts sent, and almost by return mail got a "Lifetime community college credential." It says it is for the field of "communication services," whatever that may mean (not my choice), and to the best of my recollection I've never been asked to show it, or even if I have one, in teaching at three California JCs -- advertising, psychology, marketing, communication.

Actually, this is very helpful, John--thanks!


Cheers,


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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

[Bill Highsmith]

Here's an interesting link to the certification requirements in AZ: http://www.stbd.cc.az.us/aztchcert.htm . Be sure to click on the "Certification Requirements - Academic Teaching Fields" link.

Iowa (one of the square states) apparently requires certification too: http://www.educ.iastate.edu/elps/hged/cccert.htm

I've never seen this mentioned in Florida job ads. They mostly want at least a master degree with 18 credit hours at the graduate level in the teaching area.

[Nicole-HUX]

I've talked to quite a number of our students who are interested in teaching at the community college level and this is the first I've heard of the credential you mention. Doesn't mean much one way or the other about how common (or uncommon) having one might be, but in the last (almost) four years, I can't remember anyone asking for advice about it.

But by way of coincidence, I just learned last week the CSUDH EE Division is offering a three course Certificate in Community College Teaching, and will begin offering the first two classes online in Spring and Summer 2002. The problem here is that the third course is an internship "taught at a local community college." Now why courses would be taught online, making them available to anyone, anywhere in the United States, but the required internship would be limited to something available only at a local community college escapes me for the time being, but there you have it.

Email me and I'll be happy to send you the link to the information.

[Hille]

other about how common (or uncommon) having one might be, but in the last (almost) four years, I can't remember anyone asking for advice about it. I'm interes

But by way of coincidence, I just learned last week the CSUDH EE Division is offering a three course Certificate in Community College Teaching, and will begin offering the first two classes online in Spring and Summer 2002. The problem here is that the third course is an internship "taught at a local community college." Now why courses would be taught online, making them available to anyone, anywhere in the United States, but the required internship would be limited to something available only at a local community college escapes me for the time being, but there you have it.

Email me and I'll be happy to send you the link to the information. [/b][/quote]
Hello - I'm interested in any links for college level teaching. Thank you. Have a peaceful day. Hille

[ahchem]

When applying for a position in a California Community College the minimum qualification is a Masters in [whatever] OR a California Community College Credential. To my knowledge the later is no longer even offered. It is a left over for those who got the certificate many years ago.

I would call the CC that you are thinking of applying to, and ask if you really need one, and if so, how do you get one?

Regards,
Jeff

[tcnixon]

Originally posted by ahchem:
When applying for a position in a California Community College the minimum qualification is a Masters in [whatever] OR a California Community College Credential. To my knowledge the later is no longer even offered. It is a left over for those who got the certificate many years ago.

I would call the CC that you are thinking of applying to, and ask if you really need one, and if so, how do you get one?

Regards,
Jeff

Jeff is exactly right. It is no longer possible to get such a thing in California. *If* you already have one, you may use it to prove qualification for a position,but no new ones are being issued.


Tom Nixon

As a college instructor who teaches exclusively online, I have applied to many community colleges around the country :-) To date I have the opportunity to teach a class here and there (as adjunct faculty on contract basis) for several. None have asked for any type of community college teaching credential though all have required highest degree official transcripts. The colleges for which I will be teaching over the next year are in: CA, FL, OR, WA, VA, TX and NC.

[Gerstl]

But by way of coincidence, I just learned last week the CSUDH EE Division is offering a three course Certificate in Community College Teaching, and will begin offering the first two classes online in Spring and Summer 2002. The problem here is that the third course is an internship "taught at a local community college." Now why courses would be taught online, making them available to anyone, anywhere in the United States, but the required internship would be limited to something available only at a local community college escapes me for the time being, but there you have it.

Nicole,

why do you think the first 2 classes are taught online? From http://www.csudh.edu/extension/comcol.htm

GED 548 and GED 549 are taught on campus at CSUDH in Carson.

[Gerstl]

Nicole,
If they do offer (1) and (2) online [in the future], consider that when they say "A local Community College", they might mean "local to the student" not to CSUDH

[Nicole-HUX]

If you read a little further down in the course listing, it mentions the first course will be available online in Spring 2002. The CSUDH Extended Education Fall catalog also mentions these two classes will be available online.

I've spoken with the intership coordinator (one of the instructors in the HUX program), and he suggested the first step for anyone who might be interested in more information would be to request the Community College Information Packet through the contact information given on the website.