Does anyone know about USU? I know it's for-profit. I'm interested in just getting my teaching credential which is around $12K or less. United States University Also, does anyone know if you can get financial aid for pursuing a teaching credential only. I know there are a lot of teaching credential+masters in teaching programs. However, this is a very competitively price program for the credential and I was thinking about getting my Masters elsewhere.
I know nothing of USU but here is a cheap MEd, about 8K - American College of Education | Online Masters in Education Degrees or this one is cheap also - LU Online - Lamar University
No, you have to attend a program that is legit graduate work to qualify for Federal loans as far as I know. I see that you are a graduate of Liberty U. If you happen to live in Virginia, I'd suggest a couple of things: 1. Try the Career Switcher Program through one of the community colleges to get your teaching license. This is what I'm doing myself and will be working on my master's later. The cost is about $4,000 for approx. 3 months of classwork (non-college credit!) followed by 1 year with a probie license. 2. If you really want some graduate credit out of this, try Regent University (approx. $7,500 for 18 credits) or Western Governors University. There are of course others out there.
Hi IrishJohn, I live in California. I need to get a CA teaching credential in order to teach. I'll check with the university to see if it's possible to use aid.
I am shocked!!! I found out that you can get student aid for a credential only. In fact, if you qualify (which I most likely do), depending upon the way the university determines the licensing classes, you can use the Pell Grant for your first year in a credential program. This is awesome!!! You can also qualify for loans if needed, too. This program is completely online, for about $12K. With the Pell Grant, it will go down to about $5,500. That's awesome!!!
Sorry, forgot to edit my post. I checked on United States University and it has RA accreditation so you should be okay. In fact, there is this on their website for just the teaching license program: "Financial aid and scholarships available to qualified students". Still, given the price for USU I'd check out Western Governors University. It may be cheaper. California is also one of the 19 states involved with it so you should have no problem getting a CA teaching license through them or you can go for an MAEd if you prefer.
Oops! Didn't see your second post. Looks like you find the answer for USU. Check out Western Governors University though, you can use student aid there too and could possibly save money.
The USU website makes it pretty clear that the mission of the school is "to serve the Hispanic community in California and the nation..." Their focus would seem to be on what they call "educated immigrants." Letters from my readers suggest that many have decided that the best credentialing program for them is the relatively inexpensive one offered online by Rio Salado College in Arizona, which, last time I checked, was usable for credentialing in 48 states including California. They find student teaching positions for their students worldwide. A friend did his Rio Salado student teaching at a Canadian-run high school in India.
Hi IrishJohn, Yeah I have checked WGU, and they have a huge amount of pre-reqs that they want me to take just prior to admission for the program. Basically they want me to have a bachelors in Math just to enter their program. (I'm exaggerating, but they want me to take Calculus, Trig. and other Higher end math). My goal is to be a middle school math teacher, I know I have to pass the CSET I & II, therefore, calculus is not required for me to teach this level math. They have an excellent program, but limiting towards their applicants who want to solely to pursue a foundational math credential.
Dr. Bear, Thank you for your help. I'm going to inquire about this program. If it works out for me, that would be awesome too!
I contacted Rio and although they seem to have a nice program, there the counselor I spoke to, wasn't confident that California would take the Arizona credential. Also, there is an APEA test (a competency test, which is normal) but I would have to go over to Arizona to take that test to fulfill the subject matter. It sounds like USU is a cheaper route for me. Does anyone else know of any non-state credential programs? I have been looking at other URT (Urban Residency Teaching) programs and they offer great perks. It's ironic how I hear that teachers are in need, but the cost to become a teacher sometimes makes it beyond difficult to become one. To be out of work, to do student teaching, is a difficult task to manage. This is why I'm looking for the most cost-effective school for my credential.
For California … the United States University will work with limited CCTC approved teacher credentialing opportunity Accreditation | United States University . With that in mind, you may well want to consider only NCATE accredited education programs as regards teaching credential reciprocity external the State of California. Note: And there are [many] NCATE accredited programs offered for well under $12K.
Major56, What do you mean about "limited"? I understand that this is a preliminary credential and that I would have to later pursue a clear credential program. Which NCATE programs are you referring to? I know of WGU, but I'm not aware of any others that are CCTC approved and online.
You could begin here: List of Accredited Institutions In what teaching field/s do you want to become credentialed /certified? Note: Regarding 'limited' "... CCTC approved the Liberal Studies and credential programs. In May 2003, The Commission on Accreditation approved the 2042 Multiple and Single Subject Credential with Spanish emphasis. In June 2003, CCTC approved the Liberal Studies Program for Elementary Teachers, the Fifth Year of Study and Clear Credential Program and CLAD Certificate."
These links might too be helpful: Recent NCATE Graduates/Future Teachers Current Teachers (Holding a State License to Teach) NASDTEC Clearinghouse Many of these online programs are NCATE accredited –and more than a few under $12K: Affordable Online Degrees: Masters in Education | Best Online Colleges | Best Online Universities | GetEducated.com
Hi Major56, USU is approved for my subject. I desire to teach math. I know that I need a single-subject credential in math. I'm just finding out what is the best option, at the best price. CTC Approved programs: Professional Preparation Programs Matrix USU: CIG: Professional Preparation Programs Matrix BTW, many of the "GetEducated" list of programs only offer Master's degree, not teaching licenses. I'll continue to keep my eyes, and ears, open for any potential possibilities.
Cannot speak for California; however in Texas, i.e., alternative certification (e.g., post-baccalaureate) requires 12-graduate hours which too can be applied toward a graduate degree. Have you considered the M.Ed. /Ed.M., M.S. or M.A. in education?
Texas also has alternative teacher certification programs that are non-credit and offered by non-profit and for-profit organizations. Some require that you have 12-24 credits in a subject while others only require that you pass the TEXES exam in the subject. These programs can be done quickly and end in a 1-year, paid internship at a school. Normally, you pay a few hundred dollars up front and they take a few thousand out of your paychecks in monthly installments after you're hired. I don't know if California has something like this.
Yet, if teacher mobility e.g., licensure reciprocity agreement/s between states is a consideration –numerous states have preference to alternative teacher preparation routes operated by institutions of higher education (IHEs) –university-based route alternative certification programs (e.g., post-baccalaureate). "All states will accept out-of-state candidates prepared through post-baccalaureate programs operated through IHEs, particularly four-year institutions." And in most cases, states require that universities have specific accreditations (e.g., NCATE or TEAC and be RA). If the program was not operated by an IHE, a transcript analysis is often completed to determine if other prerequisites must be met before the candidate is allowed to teach in the new state. There are still a few states that will conduct a transcript analysis apart from of the program’s route. Re: Summary of Existing State Policies Regarding Alternate Routes to Licensure and Online/Distance Learning (ICF Macro /NASDTEC 2009).
