My wife has a BA and Elementary Ed from a RA school and 6 hrs. toward a Masters in Early Childhood Ed from a major state university. She is currently a tenured teacher in our district, though, with my ministry, we never know where we may end up. She's finding it very difficult to get in any more toward a Masters, though it would mean her getting a raise. I've suggeted she look into UNISA as a cost effective alternative. But she's afraid she'll have trouble getting some of these back-water Boards of Education to recognize it toward her pay raise, etc. Is there any way we can find out for sure, with confidence that such a degree will be accepted? Also, assuming we find that it is, does anyone have any experience with some schools she can look at? Thank you for any help, Tim Owen
Hi Tim, I would find out what her current schools' opinion is on distance learning. If they are open to dl and foreign degrees I would study Lawrie Millers page closely. I have noted that many foreign language teachers have degrees from schools other then the US so it would not be groundbreaking to go that route. Fort Hayes seems the most liberal on accepting credit. Have a good Wednesday. Hille
An alternate view -- there are quite a few U.S. schools with regional accreditation that offer master's degree programs in education, some totally DL and some with limited residency requirements. It would probably be a bit easier to get a "backwater" school district to recognize a degree or certificate from one of these. UNISA still might be a good choice, but I'd investigate the U.S. DL opportunities before making a final decision.
Hello again, Have you investigated schools with your religious affiliation for your wife. I believe there are several RA schools that give pastors' children free tuition. I am not sure about other family members but perhaps someone else will know. Hille
Bears' Guide to Education Degrees by Distance Learning is an excellent resource. You should check out that book. http://www.degree.net/books/educationdegrees.html Tony
Tim, Welcome to DegreeInfo! I assume by "back-water Boards of Education" you mean the more rural contexts. It would be advantageous to check with several of these types of boards as to the acceptance of specific degree programs before she makes the investment of time, energy and tuition. If the degree itself is acceptable, e.g., if it is a master's degree in the field she is teaching or one which would enchance what she is already doing, then as long as she goes the RA route the degree will probably be accepted. It appears that in most scenarios the GAAP degrees have similar acceptance, but each context is unique, and outside the "gold standard" of RA (for those of us in the US), a little preliminary research as to acceptability is always in order. Blessings,
Thank You Thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread. I'll sure look into all your ideas. Actually, my wife will be getting the Bears' book on DL degrees in Education. And as been suggested here, we will carefully check out each option with sate and probably several local shcool districts. I hope she can find something feasible and affordable. I was hoping that maybe someone on here had gone the DL route for advancement in elementary or secondary education. THANKS to all. God Bless and Merry Christmas, TIM OWEN
