I’m Graduating!
(For the Second Time) and a Little About Online Programs
So, in case you didn’t already know
(which…how would you? Maybe you are super intelligent and have ESP. If you
do…tell me your secrets! How helpful would that be in the classroom?) I am
graduating with my Master’s
Degree
in Elementary Education from The University of Alabama! Graduation is
technically Saturday, but I’m not attending since I’m going to be in the middle
of getting my classroom ready. As soon as my degree gets here (it’s supposed to
mail out August 4th?) then I will make sure that I post a picture.
In the meantime, I’ve been trying to sell my old textbooks back and I managed
to get a little money for them, but not much. Honestly, I’m not 100% sure that
I am going to go back. I’ve always wanted to get my P.H.D. or my ED.S but this
experience has made me a little jaded to say the least. I thought I would give
you my thoughts on going back for your masters!
So, I started back to school after taking a
year off (I was so tired of school after my bachelor’s degree, which is in
Early Childhood and Elementary Education…just a fancy way to say that I’m
certified to teach preschool and Kindergarten also.). When I started during the
summer of 2014, I knew I wanted to finish as fast as I possibly could so I took
four classes at once. In case you didn’t know that’s the max amount you can
take in graduate school. I was exhausted by the end of summer, but I knew I had
to finish quickly if I was ever going to get done. So, I took two classes in
the Fall and two classes in the Spring and then two classes this Summer. If I
could go back, I wouldn’t even deal with the summer classes. I’d just load up
again in the Spring, but I couldn’t since they only offered certain classes
each semester. Now I’m graduating. 30 Credit Hours+Passing Comprehensive
Exams=Master’s Degree right?
So, I chose UA because I did my undergrad at UAB and I knew that it looked a little funny to administrators to do both degrees at the same university. Plus, UA offered the classes online…how bad could it be? Note to all of you classroom teachers…IF you prefer to be in an actual classroom PLEASE DON’T ATTEND AN ONLINE PROGRAM. It just didn’t suit my learning style. I learn so much better from an actual lecture hall. I guess I’m old at heart. = ) 25 year old “old” woman here. Additionally, I felt like online classes were a lot more work than other classes are. The teachers at UA did their best to cut down on some of that, but let’s face it…it’s gonna be more work any way you slice it.
So, I chose UA because I did my undergrad at UAB and I knew that it looked a little funny to administrators to do both degrees at the same university. Plus, UA offered the classes online…how bad could it be? Note to all of you classroom teachers…IF you prefer to be in an actual classroom PLEASE DON’T ATTEND AN ONLINE PROGRAM. It just didn’t suit my learning style. I learn so much better from an actual lecture hall. I guess I’m old at heart. = ) 25 year old “old” woman here. Additionally, I felt like online classes were a lot more work than other classes are. The teachers at UA did their best to cut down on some of that, but let’s face it…it’s gonna be more work any way you slice it.
On a side note, the comps weren’t too
terrible. I had 10 days to complete what was essentially a research paper and
it was pretty smooth sailing. I spent a lot of time in the library on that.
So after taking all of the classes and
passing the comps and then…OH WAIT…LIVETEXT! I completed an online portfolio
through livetext to let my teachers see my progress through the program.
Supposedly you can use it when you apply for teaching positions but in
Alabama…it just doesn’t happen that way (at least in my own experience).
So NOW, the fun part. Graduating! I will
get a pay raise when my transcripts post to my school account. In Alabama when
you get a Master’s degree it’s technically a Class A licensure (Class B is
bachelor’s degree). I had to apply for that too, but I don’t mind since it was
much easier this time around. They streamlined the system to accommodate a
heavy amount of teachers. Are any of you going back to school? I need someone
to convince me that another degree is worth it! Thoughts? Experiences?
Also,
as soon as I can get the classroom done I’ll post before and after pictures.
I’m super excited!
