Mashfeek

Just like the title says, how do I become a chemistry teacher? I'm currently a Junior in high school and I recently decided that I want to teach chemistry, so I want to become a teacher at a school and maybe rise up in the ranks and become a professor at a college/university. However, I don't really know much about the process of become a teacher. Can someone explain to me what steps I would need to take and how likely would I be able to find a teaching job in today's job market where a lot of people say I shouldn't major in Chemistry?

aigiqinf

Becoming a elementary, middle, or secondary teacher and becoming a professor are entirely different paths.

To teach in a high school, you need to gain teacher's licensure, which varies by state. Often, teachers will earn something like a comprehensive science licensure so they can teach various science courses.

To become a college professor, you will need to go to complete an undergraduate degree and then pursue a PhD program in chemistry (4-5+ years beyond undergraduate). Note that as a professor, your first duty would be research in a tenure-track position.

ptontiger16

You can't "rise up in the ranks and become a professor" from being a teacher in a secondary school. It just doesn't happen. Unless you happen to have a PhD and are teaching secondary school. In which case, you should probably be asking yourself why you are doing that. Like the above person said, you must have a PhD or at least an MS to be teaching at an accredited four year institution. But then, you wouldn't be teaching much anyway - your TAs do that while you do research.

EveningSwan

After you get your PHd, you should get a post-doc position since most people don't jump from graduate to professor. Even when you're a professor, you need to rise up among the three ranks to become a full professor. It usually take ten to twenty years to become a full professor. You do teach, but your TA grades exams, quizzes and what not.

Mashfeek

Thank you guys for your help and sorry for my ignorance. And would you guys recommend becoming a Chemistry professor if you have a strong interest in Chemistry?

ptontiger16

Depends on what type of chemistry. If you're interested in bench work and chemistry at the "invent a new drug" kind of level, then yes. But if you're more interested in mass producing chemicals, designing chemical plants, etc, then I'd recommend ChemE. It pays better, holding education and experience constant.

Izanagi

What is the difference between an Associate Professor and a Professor? Does a Professor have "more tenure" than an Associate Professor?

aigiqinf

Usually, tenure is only granted at the full-professor level, unless you're at a smaller school/department where there are a very small number of full-professors. And you either have tenure or you don't.

Izanagi

If this is the case, then what is the difference between an Assistant Professor and an Associate Professor?

aigiqinf

Length of time at the job.

Mashfeek

Just for verification guys, you don't need a teaching certificate to be college professor, but you need one to be a teacher for grades K to 12?

polarscribe

Tenure is granted at the associate professor level at just about every university in the United States. Most departments have very few "full professors."

The ladder is thus:

Assistant Professor (new hire, no tenure)
Associate Professor (tenured, usually 3-7 years after hire)
Professor (Mid-career promotion recognizing advanced responsibilities)

There is no guarantee that an assistant professor will be tenured. That is up to a faculty committee, which judges the candidate on research, teaching and service. If the candidate is not selected for tenure, their contract expires.

polarscribe

Mashfeek:

That's correct - they are two totally separate programs and sets of requirements. You don't need a teaching credential for college, but to become a tenured four-year professor, you need a Ph.D - which takes a ton longer than a teaching credential.

Mashfeek

A few more questions: Is this career worth going for? Is there a high demand for it?

tjr19136

I am interested in the pursing the same career path. I plan on getting my bachelor degree in chemistry and then taking the state praxis test to become certified to teacher in the state. From there I plan on pursuing my master degree at night, while working as a high school teacher during the day. After getting my master degree in chemistry I’ll work as a professor part time at night.