The American College of Education, a for-profit school based in Indianapolis, has launched a new Master of Arts in Teaching and the Transition to Teaching Certificate. The degree and the certificate are targeted at people interested in moving into the education field.
Both the master’s degree and the certificate use the same curriculum, which is designed around the State of Indiana‘s pedagogical standards. The master’s degree requires students to engage in an additional nine to 15 hours of supplemental coursework to further develop the foundational skills developed in the certificate’s coursework.
Students are also able to focus on either elementary or secondary education. Gayle Owens, the assistant chair of American College of Education’s department of curriculum and instruction, explained that the elementary education focus includes an introductory orientation course that features “a rich perspective on child development, observational strategies and skills and ethics in education.”
“The [elementary education focus] seven content-based courses include theory to practice with field-based experiences in schools,” said Owens. She went on to say that the remaining courses in the degree program cover topics like: assessment, community engagement, and educational research.
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Owens explained that because courses in both the secondary and elementary focuses are “designed for transitioning adults” the curriculum is compressed and accelerated to the point that the degree can be competed in as little as 12-18 months. Additionally, students pursuing either the certificate or the master’s degree will have a 10 week student teaching experience.
Owens explained that students who complete both the master’s degree and the certificate receive “recommendations for licensure” and that students can apply for an Indiana teaching license which can be transferred to some states. However, residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin are unable to participate in the program.
Owens said that the restrictions are because “every state has different licensing requirements and might not allow a transfer from the state of Indiana.”
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