Western Governors or Drexel for online teacher cert?

I have identified a couple of schools with pretty extensive DL teacher-cert programs, Western Governors Univ. and Drexel Univ.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these? WGU offers Bachelors, post-bacc, and Masters programs, all leading to certification in a variety of states.

Drexel offers post-bacc and Masters leading to certification in Pennsylvania, and the graduate then has to seek reciprocity in his/her own state.

Both seem good, just curious what folks' experience is...

Thanks!

 

While I have not checked, I would guess that the program at WGU is substantially cheaper than the Drexel program. With that in mind I would say that it would make sense to save your money. Once you're teaching no one is going to care where you went to school. They'll only care about whether you're a good teacher.
Jack

 

Drexel is certainly the better known institution, but I must admit having a soft spot for Western Governors. I really like the idea of the competency-based degrees, having advocated for such a model over a decade ago. Their achievement of receiving accreditation by multiple regional accrediting agencies is quite a unique feat in higher education.

Tony Piña
Administrator, Northeastern Illinois University

 

And sometimes they don't even care about that -- just whether you have a valid certificate for the subject they need...

If you want to teach in the public K-12, the most important consideration is whether the degree meets the requirements of the state(s) you want to teach in. Every other consideration should be secondary.

Certification by reciprocity is not automatic in every state.

Don't forget the federal government schools as a teaching option -- they pay well and are in some really cool places. The students tend to be well disciplined too -- teaching math in a HS on a Marine Corps base makes student discipline seem like a no-brainer.
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9dd16.asp
http://www.eu.dodea.edu/pers/vacancies.htm

and consider this for the student teaching:
http://www.dodea.edu/pers/employment/studentteaching/stuteach_Index.htm

It's often the case that they don't care which state you're licensed in as long as you have a valid teaching credential.

 

I studied one semester in Drexel in Philly. Fine institution. I really had a great time.

 

Both are good schools

I think that either school would be a good choice. Determining which school is the “right” choice, between these two, would be more a matter of preference, and deciding which you feel might best meet your needs.

I haven’t attended Drexel, but of the times I’ve heard it mentioned, it was always depicted as a well regarded institution. I’m told it has some of the best programs in the country, especially in some engineering fields. Of course, I’m fairly certain that the people who’ve remarked on it had been referring to the on-campus programs in Philadelphia. I’ve heard nothing about Drexel’s “eLearning” programs, or teacher education programs. However, I’d assume any program with Drexel would be good.

Western Governors I know a great deal about. My own experience with WGU was wonderful. Consequently, I have decided to enroll in a third degree program with the Teachers College, near the end of this year.

WGU is an all-around great school. It has always seemed (to me) that the people the institution tends to attract sets WGU apart from many other institutions. The students in the Teachers College are mostly in-service teachers, paraprofessionals, corporate trainers, or experienced and competent career-changing professionals. Most of those whom I have spoken with express having enrolled out of a commitment and love of education and teaching, rather than primarily out of a desire for career advancement, or higher income. In fact, many are giving-up more lucrative careers to pursue teaching. The faculty members are on par with most any brick and mortar or distance education institution out there, and have always seemed extremely committed to the education of students, and ensuring quality and standards. The focus of guiding students in developing and demonstrating competency is always present, and every facet of each degree program is geared toward that mission.

If you are considering Western Governors University, I would urge you to consider whether you are realistically able to commit an extensive amount of time to study and work. There seems to be this misconception that someone can merely take a few assessments and make it through one of the programs. This is simply not true. Completing all the assessments in any of the degree programs will probably be harder and require more work than making it through the classes of a great many colleges out there. This is not my perception alone, many of my classmates have earned degrees from other institutions, some hold numerous degrees, and have said essentially the same. If the idea of an extensive amount of work and study doesn’t dissuade you, there are many benefits: Proven competency in field; ability to shorten your degree completion time by dedicating extra effort; developing skills, knowledge and abilities that directly relate to a given profession; having personal guidance from accomplished and experienced professionals. Also, the workload is relative (to some extent) to your own circumstances and experience. If you are extremely knowledgeable and capable in some domains, then the related competency assessment tasks and exams will take less time and effort to complete in relation to someone else with less knowledge. The mentors and facilitators are also usually readily willing to help and direct students in their studies. And of course, if you are in no rush to earn your degree, and have time you can spare, it helps. There is the luxury that if a person has certain weeks in which they are unable to invest as much time and effort due to work or life, as long as they compensate by putting in more effort when there is time, they will likely be able to maintain satisfactory academic progress and eventually complete a degree program.

You might also want to be aware (if you aren’t already), since you are seeking licensure, that you will be required to take the requisite state exams, pass a background check, and undergo an internship (or student teaching). During the “student teaching” phase of the degree programs, there is still continual assessment. I’d venture to say it is probably the hardest domain for most students because of the workload of both schoolwork and teaching, but very rewarding. You would be working with students, other teachers, coordinating with the school district, the school, and the university during this entire process. Each student in the licensure qualifying programs has to participate in cohort groups and seminars, classroom reflection and observation, constructing their portfolio, and other requirements. If you do go with WGU, you will be assessed, supervised and guided in every step of the program, but there is also a great deal of communication and student support.

So to reiterate my earlier sentiment, I think both schools are an excellent choice. I guess it really depend on your own preference. If I had been unfamiliar with either school or program, I’d have probably chosen Drexel because of familiarity with the name. Yet I am glad I chose WGU, and would make the same choice again. Actually…I have made the same choice again.