Why the heck didn't I get my BA in Education?

Sorry for the non-stop posts about grad school, but I just called Queens College, and they told me there’s no way that I can do the Masters in Literacy without already being certified. And I can’t be certified without having a grad degree in Education, and there’s no way to bypass this. So basically I would have to get 2 masters degrees in order to be a reading teacher. I know this is only one school, but I the feeling this is what I’ll encounter anywhere I look.

I feel so discouraged right now…

---

Posted by yabbobay

what was your BA in?

---

English

She didn’t mention anything about doing a one-year certification. Basically what she said I’d need to do is enroll in the MAT program for Early Childhood, and once I had 30 credits in this degree program I’d be certified and then I could try to switch programs…

Could this be a result of the new state requirements?

---

Posted by BoogieDownBride

---

Posted by yabbobay

what was your BA in?

---

English

She didn’t mention anything about doing a one-year certification. Basically what she said I’d need to do is enroll in the MAT program for Early Childhood, and once I had 30 credits in this degree program I’d be certified and then I could try to switch programs…

Could this be a result of the new state requirements?

---

what is the requirement? Elem certification? or any teaching certification? the certification is only for the core secondary subjects...so my thoughts would be that you could get your English cert...and then go on for your MA in literacy...you can then teach English during this time...and if you have a provisional certificate...a MA is required to get the permanant - so all tutition and school expenses are tax deductable...


I'll find the cert program link

my friend got his ba is forensic pscy. and he is a fellow and getting his masters, I am sure u can get certified with a BA in english.....no?

boogie down, i know EXACTLY how you feel. And to think I was majoring in English / secondary ed and changed it to Business.

Biggest mistake.

i found this info for you on the NYSED website. i find the NYSED.gov website to be really good for information.

good luck!!

Literacy Program


ETA: i have hit a lot of roadblocks too in my quest to become a teacher. you would think that an MBA would count for something, but it doesn't - so i'm spending this semester at Suffolk CC making up some credits. i can't even begin to tell you the nightmare it was to have to matriculate at Suffolk. in the end, it will all work out!!

What about applying for the NYC program where they take people from other industries and place them in schools that need teachers. You'd have to work in an underprivileged school for a year, but they would pay for your masters in teaching and then you could do your specialty.

http://www.nycteachingfellows.org/

I must be sharing a brain with you today. I was just thinking about going back to school to do the same thing. I got my BA in English/book publishing and I work for publisher but I am not happy with my position.

I need to find something more fulfilling...

---

Posted by BoogieDownBride

I was thinking there might be some way to get certified with my English degree. I mentioned this to the woman I spoke to, and she said “How can you get certified without any education courses? That would be like someone becoming a chef without going to cooking school” or some drivel like that. The whole conversation was just so frustrating. She made me feel like what I was hoping to accomplish was completely unreasonable…

---

I hate when they do this to people...so discouraging...I know for a fact that this program would be a good match for you...I know 3 people who have gone through it...you don't get a MA...but you are eligible for certification (cert rules change...but the basic ones usually remain)

---

Posted by TwoBugs

Did you talk with someone directly involved in the admission selection process?

---

Actually, I'm not sure who I spoke to. First I called the number of the advisor who was listed on their website, but couldn’t reach her. Then I called in to the department’s main number, got this woman, asked her my questions, and pretty much got nowhere fast.

To make matters worse, I called FH to vent and he said “You didn’t really think this was going to be easy…did you think you were just going to decide to become a teacher and get into a program right away?” Don’t really know why he’s being jerky about this. Maybe because he’s seen me get discouraged in the past…I don’t know. All I know is that I am frustrated!

---

Posted by BoogieDownBride

---

Posted by TwoBugs

Did you talk with someone directly involved in the admission selection process?

---

Actually, I'm not sure who I spoke to. First I called the number of the advisor who was listed on their website, but couldn’t reach her. Then I called in to the department’s main number, got this woman, asked her my questions, and pretty much got nowhere fast.

To make matters worse, I called FH to vent and he said “You didn’t really think this was going to be easy…did you think you were just going to decide to become a teacher and get into a program right away?” Don’t really know why he’s being jerky about this. Maybe because he’s seen me get discouraged in the past…I don’t know. All I know is that I am frustrated!

---

The reason I ask is that you might have gotten a departmental secretary who knows the basics of the program, but doesn't necessarily know the ins and outs about the program's flexibilities as far as entrance requirements. Could you find out from the web site the name of the director of admissions and call to speak with her/him specifically? You might have more of a chance to explain your qualifications and concerns.

DON'T get discouraged - just hang in there and be persistant!!!!

Ah, Boogiedown, we are kindred spirits this week After being all excited to learn about the masters in ed intern program earlier this week, I found out that the program is full time from Sept 04-May 05, then student teaching from Sept 05-Dec 05. I would not be eligible to teach until Jan '06, with no salary the whole time. DH and I are still talking about it, but chances of me doing it are slim I really want to pursue teaching, but if I am going 1 1/2 years without a salary, we would both rather it be as a stay at home mom. SOOO I am back to the drawing board as well, contemplating taking classes at night-but I dont know if I can juggle the load, and we are planning to TTC early next year, so who knows.
Sorry I hijacked your post, I meant to say I know how it feels to be discouraged. I really feel that if this is the path I am meant to take, I will find a way, and so will you. Hopefully we can motivate and support each other!

---

Posted by HappyEverAfter

Ah, Boogiedown, we are kindred spirits this week After being all excited to learn about the masters in ed intern program earlier this week, I found out that the program is full time from Sept 04-May 05, then student teaching from Sept 05-Dec 05. I would not be eligible to teach until Jan '06, with no salary the whole time. DH and I are still talking about it, but chances of me doing it are slim I really want to pursue teaching, but if I am going 1 1/2 years without a salary, we would both rather it be as a stay at home mom. SOOO I am back to the drawing board as well, contemplating taking classes at night-but I dont know if I can juggle the load, and we are planning to TTC early next year, so who knows.
Sorry I hijacked your post, I meant to say I know how it feels to be discouraged. I really feel that if this is the path I am meant to take, I will find a way, and so will you. Hopefully we can motivate and support each other!

---

I don’t mind you hijacking my post…glad to have someone to commiserate with.

Sorry to hear about your situation. It really did sound like a great program, but I can understand why you and DH would be hesitant in the midst of family planning…

I wish you the best of luck…keep me posted!