MS English Education...online?

[Webster]

Hey guys...so I am thinking of applying to Nova Southeastern University's MS English Education program for next fall. Post graduation my goal is to teach high school English and maybe a few community college courses. However, here is the kicker...virtually all of the courses are online. Although Nova is a solid university, I am unsure if educational institutions I apply to will consider an "online degree" credible. Does anyone have degrees that mostly consist of online courses or any experience with online courses? Any suggestions on potential employers reactions? Thanks!

[hitomimay]

I have a Masters in Secondary Science and English Education from MAT@USC, which is an entirely online program. ALL my classes and interactions have been online. Note however that USC boasts that their online program is identical to their on-campus program.

However, this degree has definitely been credible, I've taught for 2 years in a public school classroom, and it's been enough to get me into a PhD program, so I wouldn't worry too much about the credibility of online programs nowadays.

Don't hesitate to contact me should you have any other questions.

[ctcpx084]

Hey guys...so I am thinking of applying to Nova Southeastern University's MS English Education program for next fall. Post graduation my goal is to teach high school English and maybe a few community college courses. However, here is the kicker...virtually all of the courses are online. Although Nova is a solid university, I am unsure if educational institutions I apply to will consider an "online degree" credible. Does anyone have degrees that mostly consist of online courses or any experience with online courses? Any suggestions on potential employers reactions? Thanks!

 

Webster, this appears to be the trend. I did an M.Ed and alternative certification from 2005-2007 as a full-time, traditional student; since then, the entire program has been retooled, and it is now offered exclusively online, with no face-to-face classes. Many universities seem to be heading in this direction, if they haven't already gone and done it.

 

In six years of teaching, in multiple US states and continents, I've never known a teacher who did initial certification online, although I've known many teachers who did online masters after they had already done their teacher preparation. No one has ever suggested to me that an online degree was viewed less favorably, so long as it came from an accredited university. Teachers in most states in the US are expected to either work towards or earn a masters degree throughout the course of their career, so school districts and administrators are accustomed to seeing online universities on transcripts and resumes.

 

Have you done teacher education already (student teaching, etc)? Nova Southeastern's program seems like it requires at least a bachelor's in education. If you've done student teaching and hold a license already, I don't see why you would avoid this program if it's more convenient than a traditional format program. However, if you haven't done teacher education, I would look into a traditional format. "Teaching" cannot be taught online, although theory, instructional trends, and some instructional strategies certainly can be.