What do you think of this idea? Im 36, I currently have 2 jobs (getting ready to quit one of them at the end of the month), 2 kids, house, etc. Well Im thinking about starting back to college (online degree) for teacher education. Heres my drawback. Would an online college degree be the same as actually going to a regular 4 year college?
I am 41 and just completed my bachelor's degree in IDS/Elementary Education this spring. My school is not 100% *online* , like what you're talking about, but many of my classes have been online. The rest are broadcast by satellite to local community colleges across the state. The only time I've been to the main campus was for graduation
An online school won't be the same as going to a 4 year college, but I think it may be a good place to start. If you don't already have a bachelor's degree, you will have to do all the *basics* first no matter what, such as the required English, foreign language, math, etc. There's no reason why you couldn't do those online. You won't get into classes in your major until your junior/senior year.
How would you complete your internship? I had to teach in blocks, in many schools. Sometimes my professors would observe me teaching the class. Would an online degree allow you to do this?
I don't know about other states, but in Virginia if you are enrolled in a program, you have to do an internship to be licensed. You would have to do that at a school in your area. The college's placement office would arrange that. My professors do not observe my student teaching. I will have a local "mentor" that will do it. (I student teach next spring)
I recommend that you sit in some classes for a few days to see what happens in class. A lot of people decide to teach as a second career and they don't make it. It is not what they expected.
This is
excellent advice.
As far as the online degree, I am not sure. It might limit you. If I was looking to hire someone and saw their degree was online, I might hesitate. Other people might be fine with it. Nothing against online degrees - a few friends have gotten their degrees that way - but I would want a teacher to go to class. You learn both good and bad things from your teachers that can help as a classroom teacher.
100% True. You could never learn all there is to know about teaching just through books and online content. Real life OJT is required.
If your program doesn't require it, that actually raises a big red flag with me. Do you know anyone who has gone through this program? Every job I applied for had to have my colleges, graduation date and GPA. This information was more important than my actual certification, which I am working towards while teaching. You might call the school districts within your area and ask if they will consider an applicant who is alternatively certified and doesn't have a college degree. Don't spend the money on the program if you won't be able to find a job.
Also great advice. Find out ahead of time if your credentials will be worth anything.
I know that for my alternative certification program I had to already have a bachelor's degree. I can't see a program not requiring that as a prerequisit for enrolling...
My program is 5-year program that earns you a bachelor's and master's degree. But, as I said earlier, the first 2 years are pretty basic and could be done most anywhere, including the local community college.
Well to be perfectly honest, those are the same opinions I was thinking too. I cant go to a traditional college with the kids and all so I was looking at the online thing. But you know the old saying "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" LOL
It is a lot of money to dish out and not be able to get a job.
Don't be so quick to say you can't go to a traditional college. I just did it with kids and a husband who had cancer, full-time job, house, etc. You can do whatever you're motivated enough to do. Will it be easy? No. You would still have to work at an online school too. And, like others have said, the degree you get probably wouldn't be as valuable as a more traditional one.
Feel free to PM me if you'd like to discuss this more.
