EdS with initial teacher licensure?

Hello everyone,

I know that Liberty University offers an EdS with the option of pursuing initial teacher licensure by taking some extra courses.

Do any other (RA) universities have this kind of program option?

 

Are you currently working as a teacher? If not, I'm not certain how much good an EdS would do for you without some experience in the teaching field. I worry about you going to all of that expense and trouble only to find that the degree didn't advance your career. Sometimes an advanced degree will hurt your chances at landing a teaching job. Doesn't make sense, but it often works out that way.

 

I hadn't thought about that angle. I'm planning to do the MAT program at the university at which I work (no tuition discount, unfortunately!), but I am just seeing what options are out there.

Getting a second master's isn't all that appealing, but I "gotta do what I gotta do," as one might say.

 

But you work at a university, so that has got to count for something. Especially if you can tailor your degree to match where your experience is. Even if you work in administration, a higher degree should open up promotion opportunities. I'm just guessing there.

 

My problem is that I want to pursue an area of education that does not match my experience (classroom teaching K-8).

Realistically, I don't have much growth opportunity in my current field, plus it is rather boring. I'm in a position in which I would realistically need at least an EdS (likely an EdD) to get a promotion, but it is also very likely that even getting a higher degree wouldn't help me much. My experience is in working with non-traditional students at an extension campus, which is somewhat of a ghetto in higher ed. You can make a lot of money in the for-profit sector, but it is difficult to break into traditional adminstration without traditional experience.

Relocating is not an option for a variety of reasons, and there really isn't much room for growth in the market here. If I work for another 5 years in my current position, I might be able to parlay this into something better, but I know that my financial situation would not permit me to stay that long in this position.

As a first year teacher in the local public schools, I would immediately receive at minimum a 33% pay increase over my current salary, not counting the better benefits. If the district credits my master's degree, it would be a 40% increase.

Adding to the financial component is the fact that I have strongly considered teaching as a career for several years. I love education as a field, but I would prefer a more direct role in instruction. Working in administration isn't all that fulfilling.

 

That makes a lot of sense. It's really tough to get a K-12 teaching job these days, but your teaching experience might help. There are three areas in the teaching industry where you stand the best chance of landing a job, that's teaching math, science or special education, with special ed being the most open, it's a hard job though. If you have any interest in those three areas, they might be the best course. It took me years to finally land my first teaching job in California and that was before the current economic situation that has made things worse.

But let me tell you that I totally love what I do. If you are a patient person, you will love it too.

 

The jobs are easier to land here it seems. In my university's MAT program, new teachers usually find positions in their first year of searching (after passing the Praxis exams). This is due to a variety of factors. First, we are located in an area with several different school districts, each with their own high-risk factors. One district is a urban, economically depressed district (best chance for employment locally). Another district is a rural, economically depressed district (about 40 miles away). Other districts regularly are searching for a large number of candidates. Middle school is a shortage area in this part of the state as well.

 

Ok that does it, I'm moving to where you are!