Are there any real/legitimate online colleges for child dev./teaching?

[CrazyCatLady]

I'm in college now working on becoming an elementary school teacher. I may have to move soon, and I don't want to wait the year it will take in a new state to establish residency before I can afford to enroll in school again.

Are there any distance education programs that aren't scams? I have found some colleges that offer mostly distance education, but even they expect you to pop in for occasional tests and what not (unless you're military).

Am I missing something? Thanks

[staceychev]

I was under the impression that University of Phoenix was legit. Also Drexel out of Philly has online programs. You need to look into certification, though. For example, Drexel's program may be online, but it's still a brick-and-mortar school that's incorporated in the Commonwealth of PA, so your cert will be a PA one at the end and you'll have to jump through some hoops to get your own state's cert.

Also, just because a program is online doesn't automatically mean it will be as affordable as in-state tuition at a state program.

[CrazyCatLady]

I've been told that trying to get hired as a teacher with a degree from the university of phoenix is almost impossible. Maybe I heard wrong? Plus are their credits transferable?

I've heard mixed reviews on Western Governors University though. So maybe someone here has some insight on that? But even that school doesn't have credits that are transferable to "real" colleges (I think).

I know it might be pricey, but to me it's worth it to get it done. Plus it'll still probably be cheaper than paying an out of state tuition at a state school.

[3tammuz]

Contact your school's counseling department. Ask them. Several legitimate universities have online programs. Your school may have one already or the counselors can refer you to one. My husband did quite a few of his classes (not all) this way. He took classes from University of Nebraska- Lincoln and UN-Kearney. Oh, also did some through the University of Maryland.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by CrazyCatLady

I've been told that trying to get hired as a teacher with a degree from the university of phoenix is almost impossible. Maybe I heard wrong? Plus are their credits transferable?

I've heard mixed reviews on Western Governors University though. So maybe someone here has some insight on that? But even that school doesn't have credits that are transferable to "real" colleges (I think).

Western Governors University is accredited; the MGIB reimburses for this school and they only reimburse for approved accredited programs . My BIL graduated from there and my dh his finishing his degree there. It is a good school for both of them (in computer fields) because it gives credit for the MANY certification exams they need for their jobs. Though they already had jobs and were not trying to search for a job with this degree and no experience, so they don't have experience with that.

Getting set up was a little tricky but once dh had his mentor things went more smoothly.

I attend Central Texas College online and they are more prepared to deal with online students than my community college. With CTC I can send ALL documents online (I scan and e-mail most), including VA documents which my local cc wanted me to do in person.

That said, it may not be the best for every major.

http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/...ors-university

[kittywitty]

Oregon State Online (at least a couple of years ago) is a real state university. They offer teacher ed but I think it's only certified for Oregon, though my SIL has told me it's easier to get certified in another state after you already have one in a first state. Might be worth checking into as I can't guarantee it's 100% online.

[AllyRae]

Capella's another legit online school. They are accredited as well.

[mommy2maya]

Originally Posted by CrazyCatLady

I've been told that trying to get hired as a teacher with a degree from the university of phoenix is almost impossible. Maybe I heard wrong? Plus are their credits transferable?

I think this is the kicker, right here. Are online degrees worth the money spent on them, and are they looked upon as legit in the work place. What type of real world experiences are gained from online schooling, especially in education. I imagine you would still need to do observations and student teaching?

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by mommy2maya

I think this is the kicker, right here. Are online degrees worth the money spent on them, and are they looked upon as legit in the work place. What type of real world experiences are gained from online schooling, especially in education. I imagine you would still need to do observations and student teaching?

I know the ed classes I have taken online required certain hours of observation, student teaching, and volunteering to pass the class, just like the classes you take at a university, so that should be no different. I just called up the local school and arranged mine no problem. They seemed very willing to have some free help!

As for the online colleges like U of Phoenix...I know teaching jobs here and several other states are almost impossible to come by. Layoffs plus massive competition mean that if you have an "online degree" from some place like that, you won't probably even be considered. Some place like Oregon State or another state college (I know I have seen more than one, it's just been awhile) will not show up distance and will be the same courses and requirements as most of your local universities, even if you're out of state, so that will give you more of a fighting chance.

[CrazyCatLady]

Thanks for all the advice. Especially the idea to ask my guidance counselor...I never even thought of that for some reason.

I will definitely look into the schools posted here. I know that WGU at least does require student teaching and supposedly sets it up for you. But the credits don't transfer to anywhere else so I would only do that if I were desperate.

I start training to become a Waldorf teacher this Jan, and degrees aren't exactly required (though they are strongly encouraged). But I'd still like to have mine in teaching as some sort of a back up plan. But my goal isn't to try and work in the public school system anytime soon (I know there's no jobs there right now).

Thanks again.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by CrazyCatLady

I have found some colleges that offer mostly distance education, but even they expect you to pop in for occasional tests and what not (unless you're military).

Am I missing something? Thanks

You may be missing that the school will allow you to use a local proctor site. My college has distance students submit test sites at the start of the term for approval; they seem to approve any accredited school or testing center.

Probably the safest route is to look at the online programs of brick and mortar schools.

[CrazyCatLady]

Oregon State, Central Texas College (I really liked this one), and Capella all looked nice. But none of them have anything undergraduate for child development and/or teaching. I've looked at every University I can think of in CA. I had no idea this would be so hard in 2010.

I will definitely ask my counselor though and see what they say.

[Carita]

I''d be shocked one of CA's state colleges didn't have an online program. Here a mom is finishing her MAT and she took 75% of the courses online, then did the other 25% as an independent self study. The U is 2 hrs away and she's only had to travel in a handful of times. I would contact a dep directly at a nearby college and ask. In my circle, I have to admit that U of Pheonix and the like have not earned their credibility yet among those hiring.

[boricuaqueen327]

Many state universities offer degrees for education online. Most of the ones I have found are for M. Ed degrees though, not undergrad degrees. I too have heard that it gives you more chances of finding a job if you obtain your degree from a school that has a brick and mortar university (with an online degree option) instead of getting one from a school that is entirely online such as University of Phoenix.

[FireFrog]

I have a Master's degree and Single Subject Clear Teaching Credential from National University (based out of Southern CA). At the time, they only offered half of the classes online, which I did and loved!

I loved them so much that I became an online teacher as soon as I could. I currently teach for Axia College, which is a division of University of Phoenix. I am also a high school teacher and have been for over 12 years.

Honestly, I have never had anyone even ask me where my Master's or Credential were from. Made not a lick of difference in the world. I think people are recognizing that "distance" learning is a viable way to get an education.

National and Phoenix are both WASC accredited, just like the CSU and UC colleges, so they are considered legitimate. Other schools to consider would be Capella and Kaplan.

Good luck!