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Teachers: Does credential training program matter?
I want to go back to school to get an MA.Ed. with teaching credential for multiple subject. My question is how important is the prestige of the program where I get the credential? I want to be employable, but also need a program that will best fit my needs.
There are a few programs I am considering - one is at a very good, high ranking, fairly prestigious school, but unfortunately it is full time for one year (including student teaching simultaneously). On top of it requiring me to quit my job (which is basically impossible at this time), it is over $44K (tuition only)!!!
The second program I am considering is at the university where I completed my undergrad (which is a nationally ranked, but not extremely well known school). It would allow me to keep my current job, going to school in the evenings and a few weekends for about a year and a half, and then 4 mos. of student teaching. And, it is only about $17K for the program (both are private schools).
I can swing 4 months of not receiving a salary, but not 12 months. And, the tuition difference is huge. However, I'm concerned about the second program not being as rigorous as the first one, and therefore, not preparing me fully for my first teaching job. The second school has a long history of teacher training, but again, it is just not as well known nationally, or even statewide.
So my question is, does the prestige of the program I attend really matter in getting my first job? I know teachers are having a really hard time right now getting jobs, but I also don't want to incur such a huge student loan unless it dramatically increases my chances of getting hired (and I have no way to really know if it would).
Any thoughts, advice, etc., would be extremely helpful. Thanks!
Re: Teachers: Does credential training program matter?
Here in NY (where I have been struggling to even get an interview! For every 1 job opening there are 400-600 applicants) as long as the school is recognized by the state as a credited education program (they don't have to be nationally accredited), it should be fine.
However, with that being said, I know of one school that I thought about going to around here for my graduate program and decided to go with the school I went to undergrad for and I am happy I did. According to some principals, that other school gives out easy A's and they toss resumes in the trash when they see the applicant went to that grad program. Not sure how true it is, but I'm sure there is definitely talk within the schools about which program is best.
I chose my MAT program based on the schedule and cost. I passed over two much better known programs to do so. It has not been a factor for me and in fact I feel like this "lesser known" program did a fantastic job of preparing me for the profession.
Like pp said, as long as you pass the required exams,etc. you will be state certified like any other.
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Thanks for the replies! I just needed some reassurance that I didn't have to go to the "best" program. I can't believe how expensive they are. I think the program where I did my undergrad might be my best bet - I just don't want to be too pigeon-holed by having both degrees from that school.