Your opinion please

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Veteran101, Oct 13, 2003.

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  1. Veteran101

    Veteran101 New Member

    Since this site has helped me so much with my educational pursuits, I thought I would ask again.

    I plan to begin graduate courses in July 04. My quest is to complete a M.Ed, pre-retire from my current business of finance,
    and move into the educational field. Pref. online teaching or a community college in a small town.

    I will possess the following degrees when I begin my search:

    AABA - American InterContinental University
    BBA - American InterContinental University

    plus a whole bunch of other business certificates from the AMA which don't hold salt!

    I understand, for example, UoP has an M.Ed. degree program but the degree is not legit in some states due to requirements. I would like to complete my M.Ed. at AIU also but worry about the same type of pushback.

    Can someone here with an educational background enlighten me?
    Again, I am interested in online or community college level only, not public high school etc.

    Any advice would be appreciated.
     
  2. duff

    duff New Member

    UoP or AIU only limits those (in some states) who want to teach K-12. At the post high school level, one of the things you need to look at is the RA body that regulates the school you plan to teach at. For example, SACS requires that you have a masters degree in the field you are teaching or a masters degree and 18 hours in the subject matter. This applies to Arts and Sciences not trade program like HVAC.

    Some of the areas that I see a lot of postings for is Math, Biology, Psychology, and Nursing Instructors. I view these areas as high demand. However, you may want to look at what interest you. Just make sure you follow the RA guidelines for instructors, network, and pick a school that suits your needs. It would not be a bad idea to contact a local community college, set up a meeting with Dean of Arts and Sciences and ask them about the schools that interest you and see what they say and what their reaction is.

    Duff
     
  3. Veteran101

    Veteran101 New Member

    Thanks Duff,

    Can you explain what the limitations are in regard to K-12 for online universities such as UoP and AIU?

    Is it because it is distance learning?
     
  4. Myoptimism

    Myoptimism New Member

    Hi Veteran,

    Can I ask you why you are looking at an Med rather than, say, an MBA? Put another way, what subject(s) do you want to teach?

    Tony
     
  5. Veteran101

    Veteran101 New Member

    I would lean toward business classes such as management, marketing, etc. Also would like to teach ethics and sociology for example.

    An MBA track is not out of the question. This is the reason for the post. Hoping some individuals who have completed grad school could provide some insight.
     
  6. Veteran101

    Veteran101 New Member

    Opt,

    Also, not to attempt to sound like a Johnny Knowitall, but I have been in the finance business for close to 20 years. I am one of the luck one who has risen to Sr. Mgmt in a Fortune 200 without the enlightened BS degree or higher. I started as entry level and beat the street for many years up through the ladder.

    I used the old military world process and teachings from my father which one does not find in the latter baby boomers.
    Work hard, take the jobs nobody else wants and you will succeed.

    Long story short, as I worked toward my degrees I found myself teaching the teacher. Esp. those who never worked outside the world of acedemics. I carried a 4.0 with hard work but not mind burning study.

    I figured an M.Ed. would give a different direction where I could build onto my undergrad something new and round out my studies.


    Again, input is appreciated
     
  7. duff

    duff New Member

    Vet101:

    Being online has nothing to do with it. It all depends on what state you will be working for and who they have interstate agreements with, aka, Reciprocal Agreements.

    In the example of UoP, some of their programs lead to a licencse in AZ, so you could teach in AZ or any state that has a reciprocal agreement with them. However, you may not be able to teach in NC. NC does not have a reciprocal agreement with AZ however, based on the website below, applicants from a non-reciprocal state are still encouraged to apply.

    These applicants may be given a provisonal license with the ability to complete additional course work in the state of NC. The thing is, you may have to complete 12-30 additional hours which would defeat the purpose of the Masters at UoP.

    Regarding AIU, to my understanding, none of their programs leads to license in any state so it would be unlikely to secure a K-12 position in any state with that degree. However, some states do have "alternative" routes to licensure so it may not be impossible.

    http://teach4nc.org/teaching_professionals/otherlicense.html

    Duff
     
  8. duff

    duff New Member

    Regarding the M.ed, it would make you more well rounded but that does not mean that it will help you secure a teaching position at the college level. You need to get a degree in what you want to teach.

    If you were looking more for an administrative position within a college, I would suggest the M.ed.

    Duff
     
  9. Veteran101

    Veteran101 New Member

    Duff,

    Thanks for the comments. Your information is very helpful.
     
  10. armywife

    armywife New Member

    Let me jump in here and clarify that UOP is valid for a K-12 certification. It is as valid as any bricks and mortar school you attend. I think what this person was trying to say was that a UOP degree leads to ARIZONA certificaiton and if you live in a state other than Arizona then you might have trouble getting your certification. This is no different from a high school student who leaves his parents house and decides to go to , let's say, UVA. He is from NC but he goes to school at UVA and lives in the dorm for 4 years where he gets a teaching degree. He then moves back to NC. The rule in NC is that you graduate from an approved program in THEIR state. If you haven't graduated from one of their state schools then they need to evaluate your program and make sure it meets their criteria. That is what all states do if you are out of state. It has nothing to do with University of Phoenix being a DL school. It is just the issue of you going to a school outside of the state you want to get a teaching certificate. But it is not a big deal. MOst states have reciprocity with each other. Just go look up your department of education in your state and find out if they have reciprocity in Arizona. As far as I know there are only a few states that don't have reciprocity in Arizona. I can guarantee you that if you graduate from UOP and pass the licensing exam in Arizona you will have a teaching certificate from Arizona. I live in Alaska and the state of Alaska doesn't have reciprocity with anyone. However they have already reviewed the UOP education program b/c so many people in Alaska go through them and it is approved. UOP is an accredited school and it meets all the criteria needed for a K-12 endorsement. Now some people may think it's weird that you got a teaching degree online but that is their opinion. It isn't reality. Reality is that when you go to apply for a job they don't really care where you went to college. They care if you have a teaching certificate. UOP is a great program. I love it. I am graduating this May. I will start doing my student teaching in 3 months through the local public school. The principal here loves the UOP program and is great to work with. She has already offered me a job. I wish you good luck. UOP has no residency and is a good program.
     
  11. Veteran101

    Veteran101 New Member

    Armywife

    Thanks for the information.
    Could you provide an example of the UoP class and assignment structure?

    For example, AIU.
    Classes are 5 weeks in length.
    Mandatory to carry two classes at a time.
    All have at least on group assignment.
    Discussion board is mandatory.
    1-3 Individual projects each week.

    AIU is a good school but very demanding with the workload.
    Yes, they advertise the 13 month BBA and 10 Month MBA or M.Ed.
    but it is crammed into a close school "boot camp" Forget about any personal life, period!

    On another note, I see Alaska?
    Army, Alaska, Fairbanks? Ft. Wainwright.
    I was stationed there during the winter of 82-83.
    Spent a month in Artic survivor school training.
    If I could get my wife to go I would move to Alaska in a heartbeat.
    The last frontier, God I loved it there. Well, I did not care for the mickey mouse boots and 40-60 below some days, well, nights mostly in January, but the wildlife and natural beauty cannot be beat.

    Thanks and Take Care,
     

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