<p>Given that those reviewing the application almost certainly have decided to devote their own lives to a career in education (eg profs, administrators) I seriously doubt they would 'look down' upon anyone wishing to follow a similar career path, whether that be K-12, college or educational policy work. </p>
<p>Most of those who choose to enter a career in education know that they could make more money by following other pursuits, but likely don't consider the size of ones paycheck as a relevant measure of 'success.' Such selfless mindsets are a rare jewel these days and likely wouldn't go unnoticed.</p>
<p>For undergrad school, I attended Tufts University where I majored in Child Study in the Eliot Pearson Department of Child Study (which has since been renamed The Eliot Pearson Department of Child Development). An option within the major is to complete the requirements for Teacher licensure for elementary school, and I became a licensed teacher there and my educational experience was not like those who attend a department of education and it was more comprehensive and more liberal arts oriented. Your D may wish to look at Tufts. </p>
<p>Another option is to do a liberal arts four year degree and get an M.A.T. for a year afterward. For instance, one of my D's friends earned her M.A.T. (history) at Brown after going to Bates.</p>
<p>Northwestern has a school of education, the smallest of its six schools for undergrads (the others being liberal arts, engineering, journalism, communications (including theater), and music). According to the website, undergraduates can major in Human Development and Psychological Services, Learning and Organizational Change, Secondary Teaching, or Social Policy. I knew a history major who was pre-law who also double-majored in secondary teaching to have a fallback, and several Northwestern graduates teach at my children's high school (though I don't know if they came through the school of education or through another school). </p>
<p>As others have noted, it is important in planning to realize that in order to get a permanent position in a public K-12 school, certification will be necessary in the particular state. If a college does not offer it, an additional credential will be needed. Otherwise, there are private schools which will not require certification.</p>
<p>I have a D just beginning the college search process who wants to be a teacher. Not many schools still have a full education department. I know that Boston College does. Also, look for 5 year combined programs - like university of rochester. Many schools offer a 9th semester, but I am not sure how many actual courses they offer that would help in the major, vs a full education curriculum. Also, check out the 9th semester situatiosn very closely - sometimes they don't get you credentials, they just facilitate your entrance in to an alternate path program. They may not offer courses in developmental psychology, teaching methods, etc. So basically, you're just getting a regular degree. For the student who really want to interact with children, and is set on education, this might not be a very satisfying experience.</p>
<p>In order to be highly qualified under the NCLB act, you have to get a degree in your subject matter, in addition to teaching credentials. I don't think it's really a problem going out of state - you just have to work closely with your advisor to make sure you are meeting the credentialing requirmenets for your state.</p>
<p>Most people advise a state school, but with fin aid, the price of a private can be very competitive. </p>
<p>My d is getting a lot of negative feedback & ridicule for her aspirations - I am frustrated by this. Even the teachers have been very derisive. In our state, the teachers pay scale & benefits are very generous. And Obama is looking to expand early childhood education.</p>
<p>But for a kid with good credentials, it can be hard o find a school with a satisfactory program. Thanks for the Tufts & Princeton suggestions.</p>
<p>NorthEastMom2: Sometimes it is a problem going out of state, and sometimes it isn't. It depends a lot on which state you want to teach in, and which state your college is in. Pennsylvania, I believe, is fairly fussy about allowing teachers credentialled elsewhere to transfer in; it is also in the process of revising its credentialling standards, something about which the in-state colleges are completely aware, but may not be on the radar screen in other states. On the other hand, because its various public universities (the former teachers' colleges) train a lot of out-of-state students, Pennsylvania colleges are probably relatively sophisticated about the credentialling standards in neighboring states.</p>
<p>I think it's still very much an inconsistent patchwork nationally. Especially for early childhood education, which has only attracted attention from the credentiallers relatively recently.</p>
<p>Yes, thanks for all the program suggestions. My D loves her prep school, and would likely seek to teach at the same kind of place, so a teaching credential isn't a huge concern - at least right now. But obviously it would make sense to have some coursework that's pertinent to pedagogy, so these are great programs to know about. Pursuing a PhD is also not out of the question, and would open more doors. And our state flagship has an excellent program for college grads who decide they want to get certified to teach.</p>
<p>NorthEastMom2 - sorry your D is getting negative responses, though I'm not surprised. Many people don't understand that there's intrinsic value in becoming well-educated, even if one isn't preparing for a career that will provide a large income. And many teachers in the public system just seem to feel frustrated by the politics and bureaucracy. A sad state of affairs.</p>
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Not many schools still have a full education department.
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<p>NorthEastMom2:</p>
<p>I'm not clear on your statement above - there are thousands of colleges with Schools of Education. If you are limiting your consideration to the USNWR "Top 20!" then maybe it is less than you will find in the other 99.9% of higher education, but there are still some viable options, some of which have already been mentioned here. I'm pretty sure all of the "Public Ivies" have Schools of Education - my own undergraduate alma mater is in the process of building a brand new school of education on land recently acquired when the town hospital moved (William & Mary - but I didn't get my education degree until an M.Ed. at a not-at-all-prestigious commuter college 23 years later). I'm confident that Michigan, UNC, UVa, Berkeley, etc. offer undergraduate education degrees.</p>
<p>If your daughter really wants to be a teacher, then she should choose her college based on the right fit, educationally, socially, and financially. Good luck to her! Give me a call when she is ready to student teach! </p>