Becoming a High School History Teacher in Ohio

<p>High school history teachers work with students to help them study the effects of past events and implications for the future. Many history teachers can also teach classes in other social studies areas, such as geography, religion, sociology, and politics. To become a history teacher via the traditional path in Ohio, individuals need to earn a bachelor's degree with a teacher education program and pass three state exams. Continue reading to learn more about the specifics of each step of the process below. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Education Required </td><td> Bachelor's degree and completion of a state approved teacher preparation program</td></tr> <tr><td> Exams Required </td><td> Praxis CORE, OAE content exam, OAE Assessment of Professional Knowledge</td></tr> <tr><td> License Validity Period </td><td> 4 years for initial license; 5 years for professional license</td></tr> <tr><td> Credits Required for Renewal </td><td> 6 semester hours of coursework or 18 CEUs</td></tr> <tr><td> Mean Salary (2018) </td><td> $61,930 (Ohio high school teachers)*</td></tr> <tr><td> Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td> 8% (all high school teachers nationwide)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i> </p> <h3 id="section---Step1GetABachelorSDegree">Step 1: Get a Bachelor's Degree</h3> <p>Those who wish to teach history at the high school level hould earn a bachelor's degree in social studies or social studies education. Additionally, all aspiring teachers must complete a teacher preparation program. Universities that offer teacher preparation programs typically offer combined degrees that are made up of both education classes and social studies classes. For history teachers, a degree in social studies education meets all state requirements. Typical courses of study require students to take various history classes as well as courses in economics, geography, political science, and sociology so that they are prepared to teach multiple subjects. </p> <p>Teacher preparation programs will also require students to complete a student teaching internship prior to becoming a licensed instructor. During this time, students typically teach classes at a local high school under the supervision of a faculty mentor. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2PassThreeStateExaminations">Step 2: Pass Three State Examinations</h3> <p>Licensure applicants must take and pass three state exams. The basic skills test, which can be fulfilled by the Praxis CORE exam, covers basic reading, math, and writing skills. Some teacher education programs require students to pass this exam prior to being accepted into the program. </p> <p>Additionally, potential teachers must take an Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) exam relevant to the grade levels they hope to teach. For high school history teachers, the exam covering grades 7-12 is the OAE Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Adolescence to Young Adult exam. This exam covers student development and learning, the professional environment, assessment, instruction, and the learning environment. </p> <p>A content exam is also required. History teachers must pass the OAE Integrated Social Studies exam in order to apply for a license. The purpose of this exam is to test one's knowledge of the field. In order to assess all content areas related to history, this exam covers historiography, world history, U.S. history, geography, government, and economics. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3ApplyForALicense">Step 3: Apply for a License</h3> <p>After completing a teacher preparation program and its student teaching component, finishing a bachelor's degree, and passing the state exams, teachers can apply to the Ohio Department of Education for their initial teaching license. Applications can be submitted online via the Department of Education's portal. </p> <p>After four years, teachers can then apply for a professional license that is renewable every five years with 18 continuing education units (CEUs) or six semester hours of coursework.</p>