Grad Degree Advice Please

Hi Everyone! Hope you're enjoying the beginning of the school year!

I am still searching for my graduate teaching program. I was pretty much set on attending the University of South Carolinas Master of Arts in Teaching program. The program is tough and the schedule is going to stink! I will have to attend school/student teaching all day long and then work nights until midnight! I am willing to do it but I was searching for an easier way.

I met someone with a Master of Arts in Education/Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. She completed it purely online and said it was a good program.

I've spent the week talking to them and torn. My only fear with UoP is the way that I feel employers will feel about the degree. I feel silly for basing my decision just on that! The schedule is way better at UoP.

Re: Grad Degree Advice Please

My only concern with UoP is that not all states accept their classes towards accreditation. Someone I went to grad school with got her classes tossed out when she went to the state to get certified. This was about 4-5 years ago, and at that point UoP wasn't accredited by NYS - don't know if it's changed.

I would just double and triple check that your state accepts them towards accredition. The degree would be valid, but it might not count towards your teaching certification.

Message edited 9/6/2008 4:05:05 PM.

Re: Grad Degree Advice Please

i don't think I would go with an on-line program. If I remember correctly, you are not currently certified in anything nor have teachinf experience. I think the on-line programs are okay when you are getting a Masters with background in teaching or you're currently teaching. I think a more traditional program that is going to give you real-live hands-on experience with good teachers and students is the best bet.

Re: Grad Degree Advice Please

Thank You both!!! I feel the same way both of you do! With an undergraduate in degree in something remotely opposite to teaching, I feel like I am already behind and pretty much already shot myself in the foot.

My heart is at USC and I should just quit talking myself out of it for fear of difficulty. Has anything easy ever been really worth it????

Re: Grad Degree Advice Please

you'll be fine! and if i recall correctly, you have a degree in engineering, or something else incredibly difficult! a masters degree in teaching is NOT brain surgery. IMO, the classes were so easy. i had 4.0 and i went to a nationally ranked school of education. i think the work lies in learning how to teach. my first year of teaching is where the challenge was, not the classes. does that make sense?

GOOD LUCK!

Re: Grad Degree Advice Please

Go with your original plan of USC dont do UoP. Online schooling IMO will not give u the steps to what teaching can be like. Plus actual physical human interaction is helpful when you are first starting out and much more helpful in building connections.

As far as credits being recognized, not sure about that, plus you would want a field work experience since Teaching is not an online/internet based job.

Good Luck!