Bachelor's (Brand Name School) vs. Master's (Non Brand)

Good idea, that's AACSB accredited. I don't know how I missed that.

 

I'd think the incentive would be the additional revenue it would bring in to the schools. It's not like every person that takes advantage of in-state rates for online students would pay out of state rates. I think the large sell for many programs is the fact that they charge in state rates. A school charging out of state rates wouldn't bring in nearly as many students.

 

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EXCELLENT point.

 

CSU-Global

I'm a current Master's student at CSU Global Campus in the MS in Management program. I enjoy it, it's a lot more interaction with my peers then I would have expected, especially coming from a traditional University setting for my Bachelor's. Coming from Colorado, I knew the great reputation that CSU has, but didn't want to have to move to Fort Collins to get my Master's. With their online program, I get that same Master's but can continue working my way up the corporate ladder. Plus for under $15K and a no-tuition hike guarantee, I couldn't find a better deal that I TRUSTED. Just my two cents.

I agree with everyone else, 1 Master's would benefit you far more than 2 Bachelor's. I work in HR and we generally bump pay for those with a Master's or higher degree, and 2 Bachelor's leads me to believe you are indecisive. Which you say you are, but you don't want potential employers to know that

 

I Figured Out the Problem!

Hey Fellow Scholars,

I figured out the problem while speaking with my wife. It was just as if my unconscious mind hit me with a lightning bolt!

When I started looking for MBA programs, I was looking for a program that would suite my current intellect. I didn't have the confidence and experience to apply to a well-known AACSB school. With the majority of my experience in teaching, and having a B.S. in Kinesiology, that would be understandable. Now that I have completed 15 units at AMU, did very well in the courses, wrote very scholarly papers and projects, my confidence level increased. I feel like I underestimated myself while looking at potential colleges. My criteria for an MBA program at the beginning was convenience, 8 week courses, RA, minimum of at least IACBE or ACBSP accreditation or candidate of either, and has a good online reputation.

I didn't think about whether or not this would happen. I just enrolled and focused on doing the best work I can possibly do.

Just wondering if this normally occurs with others.

 

Diesel, yes I go through it all the time. I think it's human nature to second guess and think the grass is greener. We all have insecurities so I can understand the whole initial intimidation factor with AACSB MBA programs, I have them too.

BTW are you a Phys Ed. teacher, I noticed you got a BS in Kinesiology?

 

Good guess! I've been doing that for 10 years. I have insecurities about being a Phys Ed. teacher as well. The perceptions out in the world are really bad!

So now I teach 2 periods of Health and Safety and 1 period of PE just so I can prepare myself for change and to up my teaching skills with various technologies.

Is teaching something you want to get into?

 

>>

I understand exactly what you mean, and I would agree. I guess that I meant for the poster, was that it was irrelevant in terms of picking the right name to land the right job. If it's for you- then name only matters to you.

 

I've always thought of PE teachers as an honorable profession. I've always loved sports and coaching kids. A lot of people who know me have pictured me to be a PE teacher or involved in some type of coaching. I used to take it as a compliment but now after hearing how bad they're looked upon I'm going to have to strangle them. Do your colleagues think of PE teachers as inferior as well compared to other subjects?

I've thought about it lately along with a few other career choices but I was thinking a teaching certificate may be more useful than a masters degree for me personally if things don't pan out with my other options. I would want to teach K-8, the younger the better, kids are way too smart these days.

After I finish up my BA in Liberal Arts this week, do I just need a teacher's certificate to teach in CA? And can this be done in less than 1 year? Also do PE teachers make less than other teachers?

 

I had one or two really good PE teachers, and a couple not so good ones. But I'll tell you what, my best PE teacher ranks in my top five teachers. Only time I have ever been in shape, and a constant reminder that I could do it again. We need good PE teachers--the classes with poor teachers were a waste, such a waste.

I wish I could go back and attend my weights and fitness class again just for personal enrichment. I felt so good half-way through that semester!

 

I've had good PE teachers that have been in shape and were good role models for physical fitness and I've had others that couldn't run 10 ft without passing out. I never did understand that.

 

Here are the requirements to teach in CA.
http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/teach-elementary.html

Not a very promising career at the moment. My local school districts are laying off about 10-15% of teachers every year and hiring them back as substitute teachers with no benefits. Other teachers keep getting their pay and benefits reduced.
PE teachers and coaches have been some of the first to get pink slips.

 

That's good to know. It's such a new school and my conversations with the advisors have been pleasant as well. Any downside?

 

Thanks for the link. That's discouraging news. The sad thing is I left self employment of 9 years to pursue a career and now every stable career path in the past has taken a turn for the worst. Now it seems the only job I can land for sure with my BA in hand is a professional barista position at Starbucks. No thanks, I think I'd rather look into other business opportunities.

 

No career is safe in this economy. Well, maybe healthcare. People will always get sick, old and die. My wife is a nurse and she has had no troubles in this down economy.

 

Yes, my colleagues won't admit it though, but feel as if PE is inferior to other subjects. We are not looked upon as an academic subject. Colleges don't even calculate it as part of their GPA for admission! My co-workers like teaching PE because they find it easier because they don't have to correct any papers or grade many tests. We once had to defend our subject area to the Board because one of the parents was asking for an exemption for his daughter since she is an elite swimmer. The Dad found out that in another district they were giving PE waivers for so he tried that with us. He got shot down, because we did present a good case in front of the Board.

PE now is fairly a safe subject to teach here in CA. We have State requirements that have to be followed. 2 years minimum of PE and they have to pass the State Mandated Fitness Gram. If they don't pass 5 out of 6 tests, then they have to take PE their Junior and Senior year or until they pass. The classes can be elective (ie. weight training, fitness, x-biking, etc.). Those requirements have kept me employed .

I've thought about it lately along with a few other career choices but I was thinking a teaching certificate may be more useful than a masters degree for me personally if things don't pan out with my other options. I would want to teach K-8, the younger the better, kids are way too smart these days.

So you want to teach K-8? I had the best time teaching Middle School PE. Kids love PE at that age and will follow you everywhere and want to help you set up the equipment. At the high school level, I have kids who don't give a crap and don't dress out.

PE teachers make the same as an English, History, Art, and any other subject area teacher. We do make more than the independent study teachers though. To be a teacher in CA you would have to take the required courses to teach the level and subject area or take the CSET which is the specific exam to take for a specific subject area. I heard that the PE test isn't a cake-walk. One of the principals in my district was a PE teacher and wrote part of the test. She made it hard on purpose because most people think it's an easy test, because it is a PE test. There is a lot of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and other PE sciences in the test from what I heard.

The credential program can be done in about a year. Most people go to National University or Chapman University in my area so they can finish fast.

It is a rewarding career. I've just stayed here too long and now am interested in different things. When I first started I had so much passion, I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

My district is in the process of giving out pink slips. Seniority is a big thing here. You can be the best teacher in the world and still get pinked slipped because of the pecking order. Our benefits aren't as good as when I started, but it is still good. I am in no position to complain. It seems like every time I get a raise, it only pays for the increased insurance plane. So it doesn't feel like I got a raise.

But if you really want to do it, and have passion for it, I'd say go for it. Maybe you could try substituting for a while and then apply for a coaching position with the district. You could get a feel for it then.

 

Diesel, thanks for the info. High school sounds less appealing considering you have to deal with a bunch of testosterone driven teenagers who probably mouth off a lot too. I've read your post several times already and probably will read it again to absorb this information. So it sounds like now that I will be getting my BA, all I need to do is get a teacher's certification from a school such as National University and take the required courses in a subject area or take the CSET, correct? Did you take the courses or the CSET? And all this combined can be done in a year?

Decisions, decisions. I'm debating right now going for a MSM at CSU Global or go to National University for the certification? I'll probably think about this for a few weeks or a month.

 

Taylor,

I am wondering if your BA in Liberal Arts has the required coursework for a k-8 multiple subject credential. If it is, you won't have to take the CSET if you want to stay within those grade levels. I didn't take the PE CSET. I got my BS in Kinesiology with a Concentration in Physical Education Teaching so I didn't have to take the SSAT (Now called CSET). I did take the SSAT for my Health Credential though.

Here are links to all the info you need to teach in California.

http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl560c.pdf

http://www.cset.nesinc.com/CS_SMR_opener.asp

http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/

LOL! I forgot the CBEST. This is an 8th grade level course in Math, English, and Reading Comprehension. This is just a hoop to jump through.

Once all your requirements are met, then you can go to a school like National University. I mention National because a lot of teachers have gotten their credential there. You can go the traditional route and attend a State University which is much cheaper. It took me about 18 months to get my credential at the State University and only costs me $500 of out of pocket expenses because of the Cal T-Grant which is now discontinued as of 2003. Otherwise it would have been about $3500 (this was back in 1999-2000) At National it would cost a lot more.

Here is a link to National's Programs
http://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms/SchoolOfEducation/TeacherEducation/Programs/PreliminaryMultipleSubjectTeachingCredentialProgram.html

http://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms/SchoolOfEducation/TeacherEducation/Programs/PreliminarySingleSubjectTeachingCredentialProgram.html

Here is a combined Master's with Teaching Credential
http://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms/SchoolOfEducation/TeacherEducation/Programs/MEdBCLADCrossCul.html

Here is a link to the tuition
http://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms/SchoolOfEducation/TeacherEducation/Programs/780-364.html

It is fairly pricey but that's how it is with classes that are structured one class a month.

Like I mentioned before the other option which is less expensive but longer is the State University option.

Here is CSU Sacramento's program to get an example.
http://edweb.csus.edu/tpac/

http://edweb.csus.edu/tpac/faq.html
There's an actual 9 month program. This looks like a fast track option

Hope this helps.

Hey, are you in California right now?

 

Diesel, thanks this is extremely helpful. I must be going through a midlife. I'm familiar with National University because they're based in CA. I'm in NJ right now but will be moving back to Southern California in a couple of months, probably sooner than later. With your username you'd fit right in over here with the kids from the "Jersey Shore".

 

In keeping with my habit of posting on topics I know nothing about:

There is no reason why it shouldn't be an academic subject. In my high school, all we did was play sports in PE class, which is why it wasn't considered academic. However, in a school I currently interpret in, the PE classes TEACH the students about the proper way to stretch and exercise, how to use and care for equipment, measuring your vital signs, etc. It would be a great conjunction with health class, foods class, and Anatomy and Physiology (like the shaquillel o'neil fitness wheel) if they had a curriculum which fused it all together. If one can't see the value in that, then our nation DESERVES to be alarmingly obese, diseased, slow and pointlessly injured.