Hello - I'm looking for DL options for teacher certification. I've found a couple that will do all but student teaching as DL, but then the student teaching must be done in the region of the school. I've found Western Governors and Drexel that will allow you to do the coursework online, and then do the practice teaching in your home area. Are there any others like that? That will allow you to do practice teaching in your home area? I'm looking either for a Masters program with licensure, or for a post-baccalureate program. Thanks.
Other programs to consider are the ones at National University (California) and Rio Salado College (Arizona). Rio Salado was the first online teacher education program. They will work with you to secure a student teaching placement in your home state. However, you will want to check reciprocity to ensure that any program is acceptable to your teacher licensing folks. Tom Nixon
I'm currently an uncertified fourth grade teacher at a private school. I am looking into acquiring a DL degree in order to get certified. Does anyone know if it is possible that any of these programs will waive the student teaching requirement if I have taught a year in a private school already? This is my first year teaching. I would also like to know anyones recommendation for a DL program which will be the quickest route for me to get certified. I already have my Masters degree. I just need the education courses.
You may use your position as student teaching In California you can do your student teaching 3 ways: Traditional (usually one semester), Intern (one year under supervision) or with an emergency credential. If you already have a teaching position, even at a private school, the university will help you complete the requirement. You still have to demonstrate subject matter competence, either by examination or waiver program, and take the required education courses. Check with your local university about using your existing position as your student teaching. You will have to enroll for the semester at the college, but you will receive between 8-15 units, depending on the program you choose. My advise is a consultation with the department of education at the university closest to your job.
Re: You may use your position as student teaching Emergencies credentials are almost impossible to get these days. Because they are not NCLB-compliant, most districts have done away with them (or are in the process of doing so). The one exception *can* be where a teacher who has been hired has an exam to complete (RICA or C-SET in California) and only for a very short period of time. Tom Nixon
La Sierra University in California offers a masters degree that also fulfills the professional clear teaching credential requirements for California and other states. The university contracts with local mentor teachers to provide the student teaching observation. All the course work for the program can be completed online. Find out more at: http://lsuedu.org/distance/edcionline/MAT.html Tony
Emergency credentials Many districts still accept emergency credentials in hard to fill subjects such as science, math, and special ed. Last year, before I had my credential, I received a number of job offers. One large district in California currently has a plan to discourage teachers with valid credentials so that at the last minute they can hire emergency credentials at a much lower salary. They will claim that no qualified teachers were available. This I have first hand knowledge of because my entire class, who were all candidates for employment with this district, received curt letters stating we were no longer candidates for employment, no explanation given. This is in spite of the fact this district received a substantial grant from the U.S. Department of Education to be used for collaboration with the university program I completed. Terms of the grant clearly stated that graduates of the program would receive priority hiring status. This is cheating, IMHO, by the district. The only explanation for this letter, sent only to new teachers with credentials, is a plan to hire emergency credentials later in the year when the non-candidates have secured positions with other districts. In late July and August, California districts will hire teachers with emergency credentials despite NCLB. It's a calculating move to save money.
University of Phoenix You may want to check out the University of Phoenix. I'm not sure if the program is offered in your state, because I'm not sure what state you're in. But, I know that you are allowed to do your student teaching in your state. Student teaching is only 10 weeks long. If the program is offered in your state, that means the state approves of it.
