COSC and transferring to a M.Ed program

I did it

I finished my undergrad at IU (my transcript -- after every course -- states "Independent Study"). I enrolled in a local graduate program for licensure. It was a MAT program, but I was able to transfer that to the MEd part after I got licensure for just a difference of a couple of courses.

There are distance programs through which you can get your teaching credentials, but a local school is nice because you start to build that network, you learn about the local schools (really learn about them), and they help you with all the state stuff you need to know and do to get licensure. DL isn't going to be as accomodating there.

Now I'm back in DL at UIL Springfield.

 

but some do

I realize that the thrust of Lauradglas's comment is "even if you have a bachelor's degree, you'll probably have to prove competency by exam." But in some states (e.g. COSC's own Connecticut), a bachelor's degree in the subject is necessary for post-baccalaureate middle/ high school certification.

Since COSC degrees are in general studies with a concentration, rather than a major, you may have to do some research to ensure that your course of study comprises an acceptable equivalent of a major, depending on your state of choice.

As states scramble to meet title II criteria for a "highly qualified" teacher in every core subject classroom by 2005-2006, the types of alternative certification and their criteria vary widely from state to state (and from date to date). Moreover, some of the alternative routes attractive to DL students are limited in applicability to certain fields or certain school districts.

This webpage lists the general types of alternatives offered by each state:

http://www.joyjobs.com/center/certification.htm

And this site has links to each state's specific criteria for each alternative it offers:

http://www.teach-now.org/Federal_Section/TITLE_II/Title_II_a.asp

Of course you'd want to follow these up with a visit to your state's department of education site for up-to-date criteria.

The following FAQ comes from

www.ed.gov/teachers/nclbguide/toolkit_pg10.html

The entire document is at
www.ed.gov/teachers/nclbguide/nclb-teachers-toolkit.pdf

 

Hi,

Pardon if this was already posted but the thread was really long and I didn't read every posting. A COSC Bachelor's not only qualifies you to pursue a teaching certificate but the school (COSC) actually participates in the Alternative Route to Certification in Connecticut. Look here for more info http://www.cosc.edu/programs/altroute.cfm