University of Texas at Austin V. Columbia Teachers College

[portlandian]

I want to teach high school English for maybe a decade or so and then pursue a doctorate and teach at a college level. If I needed no degree after this one then I would go with UTA as it is much, MUCH cheaper. However, since I will be eventually be applying to doctorate programs, I'm wondering how much (if at all) the ivy league repuation would aid me. Is it worth the extra loans? US & World News ranked UTA above TC, but I also don't know how important that would be. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[tarrman]

Since you're planning on applying 10 years AFTER you attend one of these schools, I think your experience would be weighted more heavily than the school you graduated from. And if your ultimate goal is primarily teaching (and not research), I don't think it'd even matter what school you came from. UT's english program is also pretty respectable, so the loss in prestige isn't even in that significant. You can get into pretty respectable programs coming for lesser known schools anyways. And the fact that you were already admitted to top, competitive programs leads me to believe it'll happen again when you reapply. IMO I don't think it's worth the debt.

[Guest HEPhD13]

Just as an FYI, the rankings in education are done at the doctoral level (UT #3, TC #5). UT (UTA is actually University of Texas- Arlington...Austin is just UT) is a fantastic school and can provide you great experiences just as TC would. Honestly, it comes down to what you are comfortable with-- TC will give you that Ivy recognition and may open a few doors just because of the Columbia "brand" but it will be at a high cost! UT won't have the Ivy connection but as the #1 public grad program and #3 overall grad program, there is plenty recognition and opportunity there!

 

If you are planning to teach at the college level, than you will need a doctorate. Very, very few universities will allow you to teach without a doctorate. Echoing tarrman, experience will be key if you aren't planning to go back for a while and were you got your degree won't matter much after 10+ years. 

 

Good luck with your plans!

[edpsych2013]

From what I understand, UT has an excellent reputation in Education.  As you already mentioned, they are ranked above TC.  TC is also notoriously stingy with funding, at both the master's and doctorate levels.  My take on this is, unless you want to end up teaching secondary ed in NYC where the Columbia name and networking opportunities would undoubtedly help, a better-funded offer at UT is the way to go.  When it comes time to apply to doctoral programs, I doubt schools will think any differently about a degree from UT versus a degree to TC. 

 

Good luck, and congrats on getting into two top schools!