if you have one...when did you get it? did you go right after your undergrad degree? how many of you, who are current teachers, do NOT have a master's? what's your opinion....getting it while your a new teacher, or waiting a bit? just thinking......... oh and p.s. it's not required to have one in jersey to teach.
I finished two years of teaching before I started my Master's. I don't think you need to wait, but it worked well for me because I was able to get comfortable in my classroom and with teaching before starting all of that extra work. I got my Master's through Walden University, and I really liked the program. There were a lot of things that we learned about in my graduate classes that we had to try in our classrooms, so it would depend on how comfortable you are early on in your teaching career with trying out new things in your class.
I am just my masters this week. I am going on my 3rd year of teaching and I teach in NJ. I am going back for Reading specialist and I am doing a prgram that seems to go well with the working teacher. Some of the classes are online and some in person.
I think that will work out well for you. You should learn lots of new things that you can use with your students. I teach in NJ too!
As a teacher in New York, you are required to have a Master's Degree in order to have permanent certification. When you graduate with a Bachelor's Degree and you have fulfilled all of the teaching requirements with the state, you will have a provisional teaching certificate. The requirements and time alloted to finish have changed since I have graduated with my Bachelor's Degree. I graduated in May and began grad. classes in Jan. of the next year. It took me some time to finish taking classes and getting that Master's degree due to getting married, husband's job transfer, working full time, a baby... I had a major panic that I was going to run out out time! SO... For those who are thinking of doing it, do it while you can, as soon as you can. When you are married and raising a family, it is very difficult to find the money, time and energy then. My nephew just graduated in May and he's going back to get his Master's Degree now. Good choice.
I began taking grad classes right after graduating. I went full time so that I could finish in a year. Luckily I was able to obtain a long term sub postion for 4 months, which meant I was teaching full time and in school full time. I found that to be challenging, but totally worth it. It was also nice because I was already into the school routine having just graduated. Good Luck!
I didn't have an undergrad in ed so I got my Masters rather than jumping through all the hoops to get another undergrad...I took a Masters program in early childhood ed (I lived in VA at time), took the Praxis and was certified preK-4 in Va...Moved to NJ, picked up one more section of the Praxis and am certifed PreK-8... There's a decent salary jump in most districts with a Masters. I now have Masters Plus 60 credits- in my district I'm maxed out now on each step of the salary scale so I'm making as much as I can at my step each year. I think if your district works the same you should go for the graduate degree- think of all the years you have of teaching ahead of you to be making the extra $$ at each step (AND NO, that's not the ONLY motivation to get an advanced degree...)
I got my Master's after about 6 years of teaching. I found it to be very practical to do then because I wasn't experiencing the stress/workload of being a "new" teacher and I found the work more meaningful instead of just "theory." I am glad I waited to get it.
I started mine about half a year after receiving my undergraduate degree. I landed a job in Title I as a reading specialist...but since I wasn't certified my county paid for me to become certified! They paid for EVERYTHING and I finished in 2 years! I'm an official reading specialist who just got hired as a kindergarten teacher! I now have my masters plus 24...and I'm just starting my 3 1/2 year of teaching! I say go for it! I'm so glad I did it before having kids...I'm expecting my first born next Thursday and I can't imagine trying to teach, do grad school, and raise my child! I know it can be done, but I'm not sure I would have been able to do it as quickly if I were raising children. My mom got her masters but it took her a little longer after having my little sister! Good luck with whatever you decide!
I taught for a year, then started my Master's the summer after that first year. I went part time: one class per semester, then 2 each summer until I was done.
I wish I had gotten mine, but who knows how it would have worked out. We were really discouraged (at the college) from getting our masters because, the theory was that districts would be less likely to hire you if you had a masters since they'd have to pay you more. Now I keep debating...masters or national boards, or neither lol. I was really hoping to start one this year, but then I had to switch grade levels so I am a little of a 'new' teacher again.
Yes, I do have my masters. I received it in 2000 in elementary education. I am currently going to school to add-on school administration. I did not go directly after undergrad. I graduated from college in '97 and worked for 1 1/2 years before I started. I work with the teacher I student taught with, and she and I went to grad school together. In my opinion, I feel I benefited from working some before I started on my graduate degree. I know from personal experience that in undergrad, you tend to think you know everything and there are some things you would never agree with. HOWEVER, when I entered my own classroom and entered the REAL WORLD, I learned that you shouldn't speak on something you haven't dealth with personally. After working, I was able to include fact-based reasonings to my beliefs rather than idealistic ones. It is definitely worth it, at least here in my state. The extra that I make helps me save more for retirement than those that do not have their masters. Good luck if you decide to start yours!
Are you from Jersey, Alice? How long did this take you to complete? Your plan sounds exactly like what I was considering. Thanks for your input everyone! I am just getting other's opinions. I have no clue when I will get my master's. I personally would like to get some experience first to see what I like, then go get my master's. Plus, some schools pay for your master's....
No, I'm on Long Island, NY. It was a LONG time ago, but I think I started in Summer of '81 and finished in Spring of '84. Then again, I might be off by quite a bit. Since Master's are mandatory in NY, I know of no schools that will actually pay you to get one. I'm sure there are some, but I'm not aware of any. Also, since you sound relatively local, St. John's University used to reduce your tuition by 1/3 if you taught in a Catholic school. I'm not sure whether that helps you or not but I thought I would mention it.
I got my undergrad. Moved to a different state, didn't get certified in my new state. Work in childcare/preschools, had children. Got tired of hearing my boss say that this person had her M.A. in early childhood. Decided to get my master's. Found out that I had to be certified to get an e.c. master's. Got certified. Found a kinder position, mid-year. Started my master's. Went to school 1/2 time (1 grad class/semster). Finished my m.a. in about 2 years. By this time my kids were old enough that they could stay home for an hour after school by themselves, before my husband got home from work. The younger teachers I know, make sure that they have a couple years of experience before starting their master's. I'd do it before kids, if possible. In Michigan you need a master's to get a professional license or maybe it's just credit toward a master's. I'm thinking of national boards. But I don't think there's a pay raise. So why?
I started going for my masters about 5 years after I started teaching. I just finished getting it this past Jan. (Wow, there's a lot of us NJ teachers on here. lol) Find out how long you have to be at your school before they will pick up some of the tab for the degree. Some schools will pay for classes right away, some require you teach a while first. Unless of course you can afford to pay it out of pocket, then start as soon as you are ready to.
I'm finishing mine is a semester in Curriculum & Instruction. I went to the local university and really enjoyed it. CLasses were small and the professors get to know you. Many of the projects were able to be tailored to your classroom. I waited until after I was teaching a few years to start. I don't think I would have gotten as much out of it if I had started early.
I'm from NJ too!! I waited for 2 years before going back. I started in the fall of 2005 and I'll graduate in May with my masters, but I'm going back for 3 more classes for my principal's certificate. Its been great for me, but I'm looking forward to being done with school
I graduated in May 06, and started teaching in August 06. I started my masters degree in March 07, and will be finished in May 08. 14 months!! It is all online, and works well for the full time teacher. It is through Nova Southeastern University. It is the Brainsmart Program. I LOVE it!!!!! I would say, get it while you can. My motto is, the longer you wait, the less likely you will go back and/ or finish your degree(s) that you want. Good luck!
I'd love to hear more about what you like about Nova's program. How much time...say per week, do you think you have to dedicate to it. Have the classes been difficult? I really think I'd like to go for my masters rather than national brds. I get to keep the masters forever!
I recieved my credential in June 2004 and got my Master's in March 07 in Curriculum and Instruction from Chapman University. It was a great setting with small classes, I enjoyed the focus on constructivist theory and application. I am glad that I have finished but now I am trying to choose an Ed. Doctorate program. I have so many great choices in Los Angeles.
I have a master's degree. I went straight from undergrad to masters. In Oregon, most of the programs are 5 year programs, so you end with your masters and teaching license at the same time. Otherwise you have to have your masters within 6 years (which is why most have switched to a five year model.)
I have been teaching for four years and just this year I am starting my master's program in Elementary Education from a local university.
I got my BA in 1988. I stayed home for 10 years to be Momma. I went back to work in 97 as an interpreter/assistant. I started teaching in 2001. I taught for 3 years then started on my masters. I graduated 05 with a masters of creative arts in education through Lesley University. I think you should teach first--gives you experience in the classroom to draw upon in your studies.
I'm starting my masters program on Tuesday. I'm doing it online through Walden University. I've been teaching 2 years now.
I got mine after 5 years of teaching too. It makes it easier to understand the classes you are taking when you have so much of it under your belt already. Also I had little kids so it took me a while to finish going just 2 classes a semester. If you have no kids it may be easier to plow through those classes faster. I enjoyed the master's program thoroughly and learned a lot from great professors.
My bachelor's is in Social Work. After doing that for 6 years, I went back to school to get my teaching certification. I worked for a year and then started on my Masters program. (I would have worked on it during that first year, but I was pregnant as well, and I decided to take it kind of slow.) I completed my program at the end of my 2nd year. I don't think it matters when you do it. In Texas, a Masters degree does not make too much of a difference in pay (mine pay increased by about $400) and it's not required to have a Masters to teach. Some areas require one for specialized programs, but there is ALWAYS a way to get around those things...it's all in who you know. My motto, do what works for you. What worked someone else maynot work for you. The one reason I'd say do it while you're a new teacher is you may have a hard time deciding to go back to school later. But as teachers we are life-long learners, so you probably won't have that problem. My problem is STAYING OUT OF SCHOOL! I'm already trying to figure out what I can go back to school for. (Completed my Masters last summer.) Good luck to you and do what works for you! TW
Brainsmart Program Hello. Has anyone received a Masters Degree from Nova Southeastern? I am looking into their Brainsmart program. If you have any experience with this program I would love to hear about it. Thanks in advance!
Well, life or something happen to me & so nothing has ever been "the norm" i.e. all my degrees took longer to do -- in any case I finished my MBA 3 years ago. It is in I.T. Management & I would love to somehow tie it with Bilingual Education. Teaching is a second career for me & I'm not sure if I'll pursuit another degree--- though a doctorate sounds so good! Love the sound of Dr. Teachling
I got my masters in Early Childhood Education one year and then got my credential the following year about eighht years ago.
I was busy raising kids and then after 10 years of teaching I got mine. The extra money is worth it, not counting what I learned which was incredible compared to what I learned in undergrad. If you have the time and the funds, do it as soon as possible.
I got my Master's right after graduating with B.S. b/c I did not get credentials from my college. IMO, it was b/c OSU wanted to get more $$ by forcing students to get their masters. Anyways, I got my MA from another school, it was a 2-year, 1 night a week program and it was wonderful!! I loved it and I am so glad that I do not have to worry about doing it anymore.
After getting my B.S. I taught for a year without taking any graduate courses. I wanted to completely focus on my first year of teaching, and I'm glad that I did. Coming up will be my second year teaching, and this summer I took my first graduate course. I complete the course next Thursday - one down, lots more to go!
I started school again 3 yrs after getting my BA, while I was subbing. I graduated w/ my MA the summer of 2006 & got hired that same summer. On Aug. 25th, I'll be going back to school beginning my classes towards a 2nd MA. (I'm single w/o any kids.)
I earned my Masters degree at the same time as my teaching cert program (Graduate Program). It was the Masters in Teaching program and took 1 1/2 years total for the Masters and Teaching Cert. I say do as much school work as soon as possible while you're in the routine! I substituted during the day as soon as I earned my cert. and took my Master classes at night.
It is not required for teachers in Maine to have a masters'. I thought I was going to give myself 2 years teaching before I went back to get mine. I'm going on 5 and I just started taking classes last year. I can't imagine having taken classes my first year. But then it was easy to put it off longer than I had planned! I am now doing a course a semester - maybe more during the summer? We'll see!!
I started 13 years after beginning teaching. I have just finished Boy, it was hard work, but I enjoyed most of it (I think!) Not sure how your system works, but I don't get extra pay or anything like that, so I don't really think it was worth the effort. it was more to prove I could do it! My husband got his a few years ago, and I couldn't stand to be left behind
I will not recieve extra money for my masters either but I also do not have to pay for it either as long as it is a recognisable subject in education. I love to learn so my masters journey has been very interesting...my masters will be in Autistic spectrum disorders
I graduated in Dec 2004 with my BA. In June I started my master's degree, and will finish the first class on Sunday. I'm getting mine through Walden.
I taught for 10 years before getting my master's. I wanted to make sure I was tenured in my district before getting it. It was a great experience and the extra money will be nice!!
