ENGLISH ED MA WHERE SHOULD I GO!?

[courtf1]

Hey!! I want to obtain an English Education MA degree. Because the market is so uncertain right now, however, I would also like to get a Special Ed MA certification as well.

I have been accepted into:

NYU (2 year program at Steinhardt for English Ed MA + NY initial certificate)

Lehigh University (English Education/ Special Education Duel certification + PA initial certificate)

Fordham University(1 year program at their Graduate School of Education in English Ed MA + NY initial certificate)

Columbia University Teacher's College (1 year program in English Ed + Ny initial certificate)

Here's my dilemma, I am paying for this myself. I loved NYU but it is the most expensive (over 1,200 per credit) and is two years ( I didn't apply for the fast track because I was afraid of the work load). They offered me Work Study, though which would be nice and would mean that I could do research at the school and work for some tuition reimbursement. I thought the campus was beautiful and it is in a great area! I have always wanted to live in the city. I have heard mixed things about rigor of classwork.

Lehigh University is gorgeous! It has a great reputation in the area and is the cheapest at 550/ credit. They also have duel certification, which is VERY intriguing to me. However, it lacks the life of the city (I have wanted to live in the city since I was young) and the program is the smallest. It doesn't seem like graduate students connect with each other so I've been told that I will be bored, which upsets me. I have heard mixed things about classes. They don't offer any assistantships for MA students and some opportunities do RARELY come up, but I was told not to count on it. The professors and deans seemed nice. I want to work in NY, however, and am concerned about reciprocity.

Fordham is a toss up. I am eligible for a large scholarship but they don't tell you that you have to apply for that separately until you are accepted, which makes me angry because I don't have time to wait to make my decision.

Columbia TC looks old. However, it has a great community feel and even the oldness has a sense of charm! I would have access to everything at Columbia U. Many students live on-campus so I would be able to meet all sorts of new people. They also have classes that are very specific for what I want such as courses on teaching Milton and Shakespeare. I am just nervous, yet again, about the cost. It is expensive (over 1,000/ credit). They said I could get both an english and special ed cert, but it would be tricky to not pay for two programs. =0

Has anyone went to these schools? Any insights? HELP!

Edited April 28, 2011 by courtf1