How to Choose a Teacher Education Program

Selecting a college or university to attend after high school is an important decision. Take time to learn as much as you can about the school(s) you are considering so that you select the school that best meets your needs.

There are a variety of career options available to someone who earns a teacher education degree. There are teaching jobs available in private and public schools working with very young children up to adult learners. There are positions involving sports like coaches, athletic directors and athletic trainers. Administrative positions include guidance counselors, principals and superintendents. Additional positions are available at camps and day cares.

The rewards a career in teacher education can provide are endless. Many who pursue careers in education feel there is nothing more rewarding than when a student understands a concept they are teaching. Regardless of which career path in teacher education that someone pursues, teachers and those involved in the education field can make a profound impact on their students and society.

Here are a few questions to consider when selecting a teacher education program:

1. Is the teacher education program accredited? The purpose of accreditation is to ensure that an entity meets the standards set by the accrediting body. Accreditation also increases the reputation of the program.
   
   
2. Is the program approved by the Ohio Department of Education? A partnership with the Ohio Department of Education increases the reputation of the teacher education program.
   
   
3. What is the reputation of the program? Look for a program that is accredited and sanctioned by the state department of education and whose students and graduates are sought out by school districts.
   
   
4. Where are teacher education alumni working? A strong teacher education alumni base can assist with contacts within the school district you want to work and provide mentoring.
   
   
5. Does the university provide the education major you are seeking?
   
   
6. Can you earn a post-graduate degree at the university? Obtaining a master’s or higher degree will increase your income potential and career options.
   
   
7. How soon can you get in the classroom? The sooner you get in the classroom, the sooner you will decide whether or not a career in education is right for you and can begin work on your teaching skills. Some schools allow students to get in classrooms as early as their freshman year while other schools may have students wait until as late as their junior year.
   
   
8. How many field experiences and student teaching opportunities are provided? Programs that have strong relationships with school districts will provide more opportunities for student teachers to be in the classroom. The more frequently you are in the classroom, the more experience you will gain. Prospective school districts will be looking for how much teaching experience you have when they are considering you for employment.
   
   
9. How heavily involved are faculty members with students who are working on their field experiences and/or student teaching? Look for a program where faculty members, not graduate students, work side-by-side as supervisors with teacher education students.
   
   
10. What teacher education scholarship opportunities are available? Check to see if the school you are considering offers scholarships and/or financial awards to students who pursue a teacher education degree.
    
    
11. What opportunities do teacher education majors have to study abroad? If you are interested in experiencing another culture and/or wish to pursue a foreign language minor, you should look for a school with study abroad options.
    
    
12. What resources are provided to help students prepare for the state-mandated Praxis II and Praxis 3 exams? The Praxis exams are used by Ohio and other states as part of their teacher license and certification process. Students need to prepare and pass the exams if they wish to teach. Look at how the university you are considering prepares students for the exam and at the pass rates.
    
    
13. How committed is the university to helping students prepare for the job market? Look for universities who have a career development center who can assist with resume preparation, job interviewing skills and job opportunities.

Editorial content provided by Theresa Rozic Sutter, Assistant Public Relations Director at Ashland Univeristy