Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Elementary School Teachers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Embry Riddle, Miami Dade College, State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota, and Edison.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Carlos Albizu, Florida International, Embry Riddle, and Nova Southeastern.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Carlos Albizu.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Florida A&M, Miami Dade College, Florida International, and Saint Thomas University.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Nova Southeastern, Barry, Warner University, and Indian River State College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Embry Riddle, Hobe Sound Bible College, Lynn University, and Florida College.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Florida College, Clearwater Christian, Hobe Sound Bible College, and Stetson University.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at University of Miami, University of Florida, Florida State, and Rollins College.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Edward Waters, Florida International, Florida Memorial University, and University of South Florida-Main Campus.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Stetson University, Hobe Sound Bible College, Florida College, and University of Miami.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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University Of South Florida • Tampa, FL
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 1995)
• 6/27/2011
"I liked the school. It was a beautiful campus and the program met my needs overall."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Absolutely. Especially if they still have the SCATT program. The program overall met my needs. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | At the time I remember it seemed to rate well. They had a special program called SCATT - Suncoast Area Teacher Training - that was associated with the college and gave additional, worthwhile training in communication skills and more. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The program was fine for what it was. I would have preferred having internships in my field of study. For example, I had an internship in middle school when I was studying to be an elementary teacher. |
| Instruction | 7 | I learned more on the job than I did in college. There was lots of theory in college and not enough hands-on work. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It was an average workload. I didn't seem to work any more or less than my roommates. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was very book oriented. The only hands-on work was the internships we were required to do. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | I don't know. I took day classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The academic facilities were good. They had a computer lab and tutoring services. I never any problem meeting with the professors. |
| Social Life | 7 | It seemed to offer typical college experiences. I worked two jobs in addition to going to school full-time, so didn't attend many events. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I don't know. I did not use this service. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | I don't know. I don't participate in the alumni network at all, but I do get flyers from time to time. |
Broward College • Davie, FL
Studying Art History (completion in 2005)
• 7/6/2011
"The school had minimal resources for my program, but I was able to get my degree at a reasonable cost. This is a good school for those on a budget."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If financially necessary, I'd recommend Broward. If not, I'd encourage them to explore other options. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | The school is not known for its art program, that's for sure. It is relatively popular among current students, however. |
| Program Quality | 3 | Not many acknowledge community colleges the same way they do 4 year universities. Classes were limited for my major. |
| Instruction | 5 | Very little of what I learned could be applied to teaching Elementary-aged students. I did learn plenty, though. |
| How Difficult | 3 | If art is a topic you enjoy, majoring in it will be a lot easier. The workload was minimal. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We were mostly encouraged to take from the text. Some classes provided hands on art experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Broward had a variety of options for students. Classes spanned many hours of the day, six days a week, with some limited online options. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Only textbooks were provided. Occasionally, an instructor would use something printed from the Internet. |
| Social Life | 2 | There isn't much school spirit at this school. Most wanted to just get their degree and leave. |
| Placement Services | 3 | No one working there had direct connections. I was only provided with ideas and job ads. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | Most students, upon graduation, prefer to forget about this particular school. There isn't much pride in it. |
Florida State University • Tallahassee, FL
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2003)
• 7/3/2011
"I am proud to be an FSU alum. I have agreed to hire interns only from my university."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I know that FSU creates teachers who are prepared for the profession. Student teachers are not allowed to graduate from student teaching unless they have exhibited all requirements. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | FSU's reputation continues to be at the top of the list throughout the state. Locally with a campus in our city, the interns who come out of there are desired over surrounding programs. |
| Program Quality | 10 | My school does a wonderful job of keeping current with state requirements for curriculum. They prepare teachers to enter the job field with practical experience, such as local district teaching methods and requirements. This allows new teachers to be marketable and enter the profession locally. |
| Instruction | 9 | The quality of the pedagogical curriculum was very good. I have supervised several interns from the same program. An area I believe that continues to be weak is with behavior, classroom management, and how to prepare and initiate for the beginning of a school year. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The content knowledge is not difficult. However, it cannot be applied by someone other than a person who has a passion and calling for the students. Otherwise, the teacher would be ineffective. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There were several exemplary professors who allowed us hands on experience and even provided modeled lessons for us. We were provided opportunities to observe and teach practice lessons in classrooms. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | I attended both the main campus and local campus. The main campus offered no flexibility. We were given our schedule and were required to follow the track. The local campus, however, provided more flexibility for people who still needed to work or raise a family while attending classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The staff and facilities are very good. I would have desired more resources in our library that pertained specifically to the profession. |
| Social Life | 8 | There were activities planned at certain times of the year but few people had time outside of class to attend them. We did, however, end up becoming close to one another just because of the nature of our group work. |
| Placement Services | 8 | My school's local program does a great job of preparing interns for entering the job market. A portfolio and resume creation is required and must pass review. However, the portfolios do not always reflect what specific administrators want to see. I believe that the university should elicit more input from administrators in regards to their specific desires in a job candidate. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | We have a very large overall alumni group since it is such a large university. However, our local campus has recently started an alumni group specific to our degree. I believe this will create a much more cohesive group. |
Florida Atlantic University • Davie, FL
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2000)
• 7/6/2011
"I love FAU. I think is was the best choice I could have ever made for a college that was local and affordable."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | FAU has several campuses throughout Florida. The atmosphere is friendly and the guest speakers were always amazingly inspirational. Go to FAU and you will know what I mean. GO OWLS!!! |
| Program Reputation | 10 | I would recommend that anyone interested in elementary education and lives in Florida go to the FAU/Davie campus. It has such a small town feeling and some of the professors know you by name. They were willing to push you to your limit to succeed in life. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The school I work at is one of the best school in Broward County. We receive the highest scores on FCAT and couldn't be prouder! |
| Instruction | 8 | When I was in college over 10 years ago they didn't focus on how to handle emotionally disturbed/stressed out students. They need to focus more on how the economy is effecting the students as well as the parents. |
| How Difficult | 1 | I found it to be easy because elementary education was something that I loved. I absorbed everything and anything possible to help the children of our future. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I am a visual learner so I found books to always be helpful. However, the labs and group tutoring were always available and very helpful. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I took online courses that would fit around my work schedule. They also had night and weekend courses that helped me finish faster and with less stress. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | I lived at the library. The labs, media, and staff were amazing. Everything is state-of-the-art when it comes to technology and it was kept clean. |
| Social Life | 10 | I did not participate in any school sports. However, the social events were always fun, especially when they were for fundraising for a good cause. |
| Placement Services | 10 | Again, I heard the career service was helpful, but I did not use this option. I was already working at a school part-time so I already had my foot in the door for a full-time position as a teacher. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | I heard the FAU network was really supportive. However, I did not use it to its full potential because I was busy working and focusing on graduating early. |
Florida State University • Tallahassee, FL
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2007)
• 6/30/2011
"I wouldn't choose any other university. FSU provided me with a quality education and a college experience I will never forget."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If a person is looking to major in elementary education, FSU is the way to go. It's a prestigious university and the quality of the education is priceless. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | FSU is one the top universities of Florida. Most of the teachers I work with have an education from FSU. It's one of the premier programs of Florida universities. |
| Program Quality | 10 | FSU is a wonderful university. The faculty of the Education College of FSU are wonderful. They prepared me for my future career. We were allowed to work as teacher aides and the hands on experience is really what made me love the major I chose. |
| Instruction | 10 | I think that teaching requires a lot of hands on experience and no matter how much you learn, you will never be prepared enough until you walk in on the first day of your class. However, FSU provided me with a quality education. I took a class called "technology for teachers," which kept teachers updated on technology and how to incorporate it into the classroom. I still use the textbook from that class when preparing my lesson plans, I always try to provide my students with the latest in technology. After all, we have incorporated technology into so many parts of our lives already. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The program at FSU is a masters degree program, and offers the opportunity for certification on a state level. The work load is more than the undergraduate programs and requires you to put forth your full attention. However, the program is so well rounded that the challenge is fun. Unlike other majors, you're given hands on opportunities. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | This is the biggest plus of the program I chose. They offered numerous hands on activities at the graduate level. For a semester I interned as a teacher aid. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | At FSU, the times for classes are very flexible and they offer year round (summer semesters) and online options. The classes on campus have openings for morning, afternoon, and night. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | At the university the classes are pretty big in comparison to smaller local colleges. It's also, a little harder to contact the professors without an appointment. The university offers all of the resources you could need. |
| Social Life | 10 | The university is huge with many Greek sororities and fraternities. Our football team is one of the top university football teams, plus our school spirit is unmatched. The events at our school are endless, and there is always an opportunity to snag free food and socialize. |
| Placement Services | 10 | FSU works with students who have recently graduated in helping with job placement. I had several faculty members write reference and recommendation letters for me, and I got every job I applied for. FSU is well connected in Florida. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | We have a well established alumni network. The homepage of FSU's web page keeps us all updated on new events. |
Florida State University • Tallahassee, FL
Studying Master Of Music Education (completion in 2008)
• 7/6/2011
"I feel that I received a high quality, individualized education that fulfilled my specific needs. I entered the teaching field feeling prepared and confident with a clear understanding of my personal teaching philosophy."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I was very satisfied with my experience at Florida State, as were all of my classmates and friends who also completed the program. They are all employed in their field of study of choice and are successful. The emphasis on research ensures that the program and professors stay current with education trends. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Again, all of the professors are active, leading researchers in the field and are well-known for their expertise. The program has consistently produced music educators, conductors, and researchers who go on to teach/create some of the best programs in the country. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The graduate music education program is rigorous, comprehensive, and stimulating. I had ample resources available to me to support my research and course work. I was able to explore and gain experience in a wide variety of musical settings. In addition I had the benefit of attending a large university with course offerings across a wide spectrum of fields outside of music. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors are all leading contributors to current research in the fields of music education and music therapy. They are highly engaging in the classroom, knowledgeable, and are genuinely interested in developing personal relationships with each of their students. I could always talk with any one of them if I needed advice or assistance. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I feel that the program provided just the right amount of rigor. I was challenged, but the professors, instruction, and resources available allowed me to succeed without feeling overwhelmed. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Music and music education are very hands-on by nature. Most of my classes were hands-on rather than lecture heavy and I had very few textbooks. Internships and field teaching experiences were readily available. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | The program is fairly small, so there is not a great deal of flexibility. Only one section of each graduate level music education class was offered per semester, some only once per year. However, there were classes offered over the summer and the advisors were very helpful with planning and creating customized solutions for individual conflicts. They do not offer evening only or online only graduate music education degrees. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The music building had computer labs, a library, classrooms, administrative offices, and professors' offices all in one complex which was very convenient. The library had a large collection of recordings, sheet music, and research journals available. Instrument practice space was very limited, however. |
| Social Life | 7 | As a graduate student I worked full time while taking classes, so I did not participate in many social activities provided through the school. Plenty of opportunities were made available, including a large athletics program. The majority of students (graduate and undergraduate) seem to live in off-campus apartments so partying was very common. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I did not utilize these services since I knew I would not be teaching in Florida, so I cannot accurately rate them. They are available and the school has a very high placement rate for graduates. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | I know an active alumni network exists, but I have not attempted to get involved. I moved far away from that area and I do not believe there is a network where I live now. |
University Of North Florida • Jacksonville, FL
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2004)
• 8/11/2011
"There were times when I thought that I should have gone out of state for my education, but that was just a personal preference. I loved both Jacksonville and UNF."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I loved my time at UNF and I would definitely recommend it to those considering a career in education. The teachers were amazing, and the internships were hard work, but fun. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Most of the teachers in the Jacksonville area went to UNF. It is by no means a prestigious school, but we are growing and becoming more well known. |
| Program Quality | 9 | UNF has a great education program. All of my professors were wonderful, and everyone wants to see you succeed. |
| Instruction | 9 | I rarely ever did something that was not related to my degree. Even those projects that seemed to be meaningless had some sort of hidden lesson. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I had so much fun at UNF. That doesn't mean it wasn't hard work; there were times that I thought I was sure to fail. But, if you work hard, and talk to your teachers about your concerns, you will be fine. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There were some professors that would make you read the book and take a quiz every week, and others that would rarely crack the book open. However, in all classes you were required to interact and participate. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I never had a problem signing up for classes. I worked two jobs and still managed to keep a social life, and I never had problems finding a schedule that worked for me. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Not only is there a library, but there is a teacher resource room in the education building, and a media room as well. The advisors are always available to help, and you can email them if necessary. |
| Social Life | 6 | Because there is no football team, there is not much 'school spirit.' There are plenty of things to do on campus, however. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Again, I didn't really use the alumni services, but there are programs you can use and classes you can take for resume writing and career planning. There is also a career planning service on campus. Networking is also available, and you really have an opportunity to network while you are doing your internships, which are required. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | I am not the best advocate for alumni services because I have not utilized them very much. However, I have never had a problem reaching the appropriate person if I needed to. |
University Of South Florida • Tampa, FL
Studying Education (completion in 1991)
• 8/14/2011
"My goal was to obtain a Master's degree. The school fit my needs perfectly with the branch campuses, flexibility of courses, and professor accessibility."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The education program at the University of South Florida is highly respected. It gives graduating students an advantage when seeking their first teaching jobs. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The University of South Florida has one of the more established education programs in the state. Graduates from that program are held in high esteem during job searches. |
| Program Quality | 8 | My program was very academic in nature. I would have liked to have had more real world experiences. |
| Instruction | 9 | Most of the instructors were very capable. They had experience in teaching at some point and could relate to possible issues/problems. |
| How Difficult | 7 | In general, I think education courses are a little easier than other fields. But I think the faculty at USF tried to make the courses somewhat challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | As I mentioned earlier, the curriculum was very academic. For teachers, more hands-on experiences would strengthen the program. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | USF has several branch campuses around the Tampa Bay area. Many of the required courses are offered at these branches at different times of the year. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The school had an education library, professors and mentors were fairly accessible, and all branch campuses had access to the national online education database. (ERIC) |
| Social Life | 4 | University of South Florida was basically a commuter campus in 1991. This, combined with the fact I was working on an advanced degree, did not allow for much of a social atmosphere. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The school has a career resource center. However, it is not really geared toward jobs in the education field. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I have received basically no information regarding an alumni association at USF. This may be in part due to the fact it was a Master's program. |
Warner University • Lake Wales, FL
Studying Master Of Arts In Education (completion in 2011)
• 9/1/2011
"I am very proud of my degree at Warner. I am satisfied with the school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I actually already have recommended it to others! The only people I don't suggest it to are ones who are already alumni. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | My school is known in the community for the high quality of instruction in their education department. It is highly respected. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The program was vigorous and challenging. I had to do a great deal of research and study for my thesis, but had the full support of the staff. The school even helped me get my teaching job. |
| Instruction | 10 | In my undergraduate program, some of the teachers turned to sarcasm and bullying. Warner has never done either. Classes for the Master's were project based in most cases. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I worked hard on this degree, and know of several students who dropped out. However, I am extremely proud of my degree, and can already see the respect I receive because of the school I earned it from. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We used the knowledge from our textbooks for papers and tests. Then we had to apply what we had learned in projects. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The program is meant for working teachers. Most classes are on evenings or weekends. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Great technology services. The Library feels outdated at times, but I experienced that at other schools as well. |
| Social Life | 10 | I was a non-traditional student at this school, and a commuter. I was still welcomed and invited to several events. |
| Placement Services | 10 | My professors helped me in every way they could. They made phone calls, served as references, and offered words of encouragement in this hard economic time. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I have not yet experienced the alumni network. However, I am sure it will be supportive. |
University Of Florida • Gainesville, FL
Studying Advertising (completion in 2008)
• 9/15/2011
"I left college with a sense that I had graduated from a very reputable university and that I had had a lot of fun. However I wish more guidance had been provided with spending my time wisely (joining clubs, internships) and finances (student loans, not racking up debt.)"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I believe that no matter what degree you get from UF you are probably okay but the school has a reputation for being academically tough and a sought after school. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | My professors always regaled us with how good UF's Advertising department is. I do know we were always nationally ranked in the top three. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I enjoyed my classes and had experts as professors. I didn't think the major covered enough of the creative side, it was more business. |
| Instruction | 7 | I had professors who worked in the field and had first-hand knowledge. I also realize that I did learn and retain a lot. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The beginning classes were not too hard, however the core classes were very involved and time-consuming. Some of the classes required nearly 30 hours a week outside of class to successfully complete them. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We did a lot of labs, computer projects and group projects. Only the online classes or large Freshman required classes seem more-book oriented. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | I can't really compare it to another school because it is the only university I attended but I can base that score on my ease of getting the schedule I wanted. As I progressed, they favor you for scheduling. Seniors get priority. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Many of the facilities were new or updated with cutting-edge technologies. The professors were always accessible, if not in person, at least through e-mail. |
| Social Life | 7 | I greatly enjoyed college and made a lot friends. I do believe that there is a bias toward the "Greek" system, and at the same time I somewhat regret not joining a sorority for an overall better social experience and to have the business connections now. |
| Placement Services | 3 | They hosted a few career fairs and internships but it wasn't aggressive and a lot of graduates ended up without jobs. You had to be a "teacher's pet" to be guaranteed something it seemed. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | My school is known for its alumni pride and activeness. I am currently a member of their "Young Alumni" club, due to their constant advertising. |
Full Sail University • Winter Park, FL
Studying Educational Media Design And Technology (EDMT) (completion in 2011)
• 9/20/2011
"I enjoyed every challenge presented in this program. Not only did I have fun, but I learned a lot from both the faculty and my peers."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | This is a cutting edge, state-of the art program. I am so happy with the experience that I am considering pursuing another degree program at Full Sail. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Like I mentioned before, this is an award winning program. EDMT has received industry and community recognition for its efforts. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The program I was enrolled in was very hands-on and learn-by-doing. Each course in the sequence built upon what had been learned previously and culminated in a capstone project. The attitudes of the faculty was very positive, supportive, and helpful. |
| Instruction | 10 | EDMT is an award-winning program. That doesn't happen without dedication and effort to get the job done right. |
| How Difficult | 8 | EDMT is structured as one course per month for 12 months. The pace is rapid and instruction intensive. There is a lot to be accomplished in a short amount of time. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We did have assigned readings for each course, but emphasis was placed on learning the software and using it to produce content that would be used in the final project. The reading provided a foundation for the activities. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Full Sail offers on-line and on-campus degrees. EDMT was totally on-line, therefore totally flexible. Given specific deadlines, I was able to work whenever it was convenient for me. Attending the online class sessions was also flexible. If you couldn't make the scheduled session, you could view the archive at your convenience. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Since my program was entirely online, classroom space is not applicable, however, online meetings were accommodated. We were given access to many online resources and faculty was often available through online chat and always through email. |
| Social Life | 8 | Since this program was completely online, it is difficult for me to judge the social experience that might be there for students on campus. Many of my classmates have become my facebook friends, however. |
| Placement Services | 9 | The support network is active on LinkedIn and Facebook, to name but a couple of places it can be found. The career advisors use social networking and send emails to announce job openings. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | A portion of the Full Sail website is devoted entirely to alumni. There are also several active alumni groups on LinkedIn. |
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical • Tallahassee, FL
Studying Educational Leadership (completion in 1993)
• 10/4/2011
"I graduated with honors and passed the state certification test. They must have done something right."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Because it worked for me I would recommend it. I especially would recommend it because of the availability of off-campus classes. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The school has produced a lot of graduates. Many work in the same school I do. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Our Elementary school is terrific, we have a low turn over rate. |
| Instruction | 8 | The curriculum was right on target. I needed more experience as an intern. |
| How Difficult | 5 | Because I attended at night, the work load occasionally seemed like too much. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I did get to spend a day or two as an intern but the majority of my work was in the book. We did, however, participate in some simulation activities. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | All my classes were at night. If they had not been at night I would not have been able to attend. There were also off-campus classes which helped a lot. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | I did not use the facilities. My academic advisor was my main "go-to" person. |
| Social Life | 1 | Since I attended at night and at off campus classes I was not involved in school activities. I do know the school has a good band and reputation. |
| Placement Services | 3 | I do not know of any job placement services. Once you graduated, you were on your own. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I really don't know too much about our alumni association. Since I do not participate, I'm unaware of exactly what they do. |
University Of Florida • Gainesville, FL
Studying Elementary Education/Educational Technology (completion in 2008)
• 10/11/2011
"I feel like I got a great value in my education from the University of Florida. The classes, instructors, and internship prepared me for the classroom."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The University of Florida provided a high quality, low cost education that greatly prepared me for my career. The relationship Florida has with the local school district is very helpful in preparing for the classroom. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I am happy with the reputation. In Florida it's highly thought of in the workplace. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I felt very prepared to go into the classroom. My education was hands-on in the classroom and my classes were taught by classroom teachers. |
| Instruction | 10 | My classes were taught by current classroom instructors, who provided valuable training and insight. All of my instructors had masters degrees or higher. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I took a graduate load of 12 hours a semester in addition to a full (40 week) internship. Our classes were project and experience based. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I had a 40 week full-time classroom internship - It doesn't get anymore hands on than that. Our classes were primarily project based. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | It was a cohort program where everyone took the same classes at the same time together. We had a full time internship as well. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | My professors were very accessible during and before school. My advisor checked in with me monthly. |
| Social Life | 5 | I was married and in graduate school, so I was not as much into the social scene as an undergraduate. I enjoyed athletic events and speakers on campus regularly. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I never needed to use them. The degree spoke for itself. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I have not really had any contact with the alumni network professionally. There are a large number of alumni, so I suspect it is good. |
University Of Phoenix • Online, FL
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2011)
• 10/23/2011
"I don't believe the school is right for an education major. It doesn't have enough hands on work."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | It was an expensive experience. The same degree can be achieved at much better schools. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | It was not the best and not the worst. It was however extremely expensive. |
| Program Quality | 5 | The school was adequate but not in depth. I would have preferred a more comprehensive course of study. |
| Instruction | 3 | It did little to prepare me for the actual classroom. Some of the instructors were not interested in teaching. |
| How Difficult | 2 | The classes were fairly simple. Most of the teachers graded very easy. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | An online school does not have much hands on teaching. The observations were unscheduled and poor. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Online school is extremely flexible. I could work it around any schedule I had. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The library was extensive but hard to navigate. The resources were nonexistent. |
| Social Life | 1 | It was an online school. Online schools are not known for social interaction. |
| Placement Services | 1 | They don't have a job placement program. They did nothing to help in my district. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | There is no alumni support network. There was no after graduation support. |
Nova Southeastern • Orlando, FL
Studying Technology Integration K-12 (completion in 2004)
• 10/22/2011
"As stated, I enjoyed the coursework and found it challenging. More technology nuts and bolts would have made it a 10."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I have worked with several teachers who have gone through various models of Nova's programs, from on campus to online. All received higher level degrees in education and all were considered excellent on the job. Background quality through the courses sets a great tone for our field. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | I have little knowledge of their reputation outside of comments from competitors. A state school professor felt this program did not offer the technical training to the depth that his program offered. I agree. |
| Program Quality | 5 | The emphasis was on the National Board for Professional Teaching and emphasized teacher standards. It did not work enough with the technology, more the academic use. Areas such as web development were cursory and working with higher level students would require greater technical expertise. |
| Instruction | 5 | Use of action research was a strong and positive influence in my career and helpful in obtaining NBPT Certification. However, I would have liked a stronger emphasis on learning technical use of all computer related activities. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The action research was a worthy and challenging part of the program, requiring strong independent learning skills. The technical also required strong independent learning skills. Both were supported with a good supply of texts and video support. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The entire course required action research each term which eventually led to our final project. All had to have access to a group of students and computer labs in order to complete the study. Books were supportive in understanding standards and basing our research support. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Nova has branch campuses in my area while the main campus is in Ft. Lauderdale. It offers online course work, a combination of online and classroom, or classroom course formats. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | I have been to the local branch campus for professional trainings, but my Master's work was online. I had access to library materials via online which gave me both full and summary journal articles. Supporting texts and videos were well supplied for online and "chats" were facilitated during the week for instruction, discussion, and questions. |
| Social Life | 7 | The online format didn't have much in terms of social interaction, but did allow for "break room" chats, and prior class chats. Our group had a great sense of humor and exceptional local students as well students from all over the US. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I took the program to enhance my current job skills and income. Job placement was not an area of concern for me. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I receive alumni news and invitations to events. It would be hard for me to rate because I do not participate in alumni activities. They generally ask for money, and as a teacher, this is not something I have in excess. |
University Of South Florida • Fort Myers, FL
Studying Educational Leadership (completion in 1987)
• 11/20/2011
"The University of South Florida gave me a strong foundation in the field of leadership. I have used many concepts as I continue to work with other teachers."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If you like challenges, hard work daily puzzles this is the career for you. To be successful, teaching can not be just a job; it has to be your passion. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The education department is known for preparing students for most of the skills necessary to enter the classroom. I have been a mentor teacher for many years and have worked with many graduates from this school. They have been adequately prepared. |
| Program Quality | 10 | My Master's program prepared me to take my comprehensive examination with ease. I have been satisfied with my experience. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors were well prepared and offered insight into the theory of leadership. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to use some of the theories. |
| How Difficult | 3 | The program was much easier than my undergraduate program. The work load was mostly reading and writing papers. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | As I attended 25 years ago there were obviously no online options so I was forced to write "all-book." I know that the learning experience is now very diverse. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | My experience was only attending evening classes and summer sessions. I had a full time teaching job. I know that they offer all of the above named options. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | At the time I was enrolled, the facility met my needs. The library access, study groups and professors were accessible. |
| Social Life | 5 | This is not applicable to the school that I attended. It was a satellite campus and did not offer those opportunities. |
| Placement Services | I can not comment on this. I already had a teaching position. | |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I have had no experience with them. The only letters that I have ever received have asked for a \donation. |
University Of Central Florida • Orlando, FL
Studying Math Education (completion in 2005)
• 12/14/2011
"I’m satisfied in that it provided a strong foundation of education knowledge. Using that foundation, I grew as an educator over time. The only drawback was a lack of technology (although they tried) in comparison to what was in the classroom. The program made me aware that not every school will be perfect and not every student will be an angel. Understanding this theory prepared me for the unexpected of my first teaching job at a Title 1 elementary school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | They have made great strives in providing excellent new teacher preparation programs. The facilities are one of the best in the state, professors are excellent, and the program is now designed to create an overall educator with a specific content focus. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | The program still continues to offer a unique perspective in teaching math. The change that has really sparked this program was the addition of a technology component, in which pre-service teachers had to learn to use Smart Boards and other technologies often found in the classroom. |
| Program Quality | 6 | Program provided a lot of critical thinking classes, as well as new strategies to motivate student learning. I think understanding how to motivate students to want to learn was the biggest part of the undergraduate program. The program looked at how schools with students of different ethnicities and races can be very different, how to address those differences, and the culture shock of your first classroom. I think the amount I learned for classroom implementation was crucial in surviving the first years of school. Understanding how to address student concerns with parents or how to handle a problem child is something that benefited me in the classroom. The program also looked at the difference between Title 1 and non-Title 1 schools, and how the climate of the school changes. Lastly, the delivery of math instruction using alternative methods versus a traditional approach to math was very important in reaching low-performing students. |
| How Difficult | 3 | I think the program was difficult in understanding the transition in education. Since education is in the transition from traditional to digital, learning to understand how technology can be used in the classroom was a big obstacle for me to overcome. In addition, understanding the different pedagogical approaches to learning, as well as the various learning models and their application, posed a big challenge to my success in the program. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The program was very hands on. While technology lacked, as undergrads, we had to deliver instruction to the classroom on a routine basis. The projects were designed to familiarize us with the concept of speaking in front of a class, feeling comfortable with the math content, and understanding our weaknesses and strengths in instructional delivery. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I took a lot of classes in a blended learning environment. Some of the content was online and some was done in lecture format. The classes taken on campus were done to work around pre-service teachers who were working as subs or for the school districts. These classes were offered at night and on Saturdays. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The education building was very old and did not have updated technology (that changed 2 years ago.) The library provided a wealth of information, including access to all the education journals online. I did not use the computer labs, as I had my own laptop during classes. |
| Social Life | 7 | In the education school, there were a few social gatherings in which students could learn about career opportunities. I found these opportunities were based outside of the classroom. At the university level, school spirit was a big part of campus life. I did not live on campus; I attended classes as a commuter student. |
| Placement Services | 2 | They helped with an internship, but there was no direct job placement. Professors would provide advice about local district jobs, but that information was open to all students. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | This was a disappointing part of the program. After the internship, it was expected that you had networked enough with the administrator to get a job for the next school year. Once graduation occurred, there was no follow-up or job resource support. |
St. Leo University • St. Leo, FL
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2000)
• 12/17/2011
"I feel like I got a quality education from St. Leo without having to be at the actual campus. Attending the satellite campus was great, not only because it was local, but because you got to do fieldwork and internships in the community where you were most likely going to work."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I have recommended St. Leo to many other students, especially those pursuing a teaching career. The only drawback is the price, since it is a private school. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | In my community, the school has an excellent reputation for educating beginning teachers. The professors also have good reputations. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The professors and experiences were excellent for preparing me to meet the challenges of the classroom. Local internships helped prepare me for teaching the population of the area. |
| Instruction | 10 | A lot of the professors were either former teachers or currently teaching elementary school. Small class sizes enabled the teachers to really get to know you as a student. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I was able to work full time and go to school on nights and weekends. Although I stayed very busy, the workload was doable. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Theory and history of education were essential to learn at the beginning, but later in the curriculum, everything was very much hands on. Internships and fieldwork played a big part in the hands-on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I was able to work full time while going to school evenings and weekends. At the time, online options weren't really available. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | As I went to a satellite campus, I had to frequently use the resources available there at the SJRCC campus. However, St. Leo had online resources available. |
| Social Life | 5 | As a student who attended a satellite campus, I don't recall any organized social experiences. We would plan events ourselves, but this was independent of the school. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The school did not offer any job placement services, as I went to a satellite campus. Because the area was small, though, everyone within the school system was familiar with you by the time you finished, so when you applied for a position, the principal was already familiar with you. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I receive periodic publications about the alumni and requests for financial support. I have never participated in any get-togethers or anything for the school, though. |
UWF • Pensacola, FL
Studying History (completion in 2009)
• 12/18/2011
"I have found my experience at the school to be very delightful. I am very satisfied with the school, because of the academics, social functions and many other reasons."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It is not a path for everyone. It is a path for someone who truly loves to learn. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | My impression is that it is excellent, as you can find a job with the degree. My other thought on the reputation is that it is a trustworthy place to get a degree. |
| Program Quality | 6 | Some classes were repetitive. The classes should have been more dynamic. |
| Instruction | 10 | Teaching was very good in style and quality. The amount of knowledge gained overall was excellent. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The history classes, for the most part, were a challenge. The work assigned was a challenge that stimulated thinking. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I find it to be a well-balanced mix of hands on and book based. I find that it provides a true learning experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Flexibility is definitely a part of the school's operations, as there is generally a multitude of options. I can contact teachers through the web and take classes at night. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | I find that the school's facilities have room for improvement, but overall, they are very good. The resources available are very good, but they are limited. |
| Social Life | 10 | My experience with social functions is excellent. Many activities to choose from. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The counselors are very helpful when it comes to job placement. My experience with career services assistance is that they will help you, as long as you make an honest effort to seek employment. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The university's alumni network is very well organized. The support is very helpful, due to the fact that they will help you find a job. |
University Of Florida • Tampa, FL
Studying Education (completion in 2005)
• 1/4/2012
"They helped me find a way to provide for my family. I love my school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The school was a real help to me and I think it can help many more. That's why I would recommend my school. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | They have a great education program. I would say it is one of the best programs out there. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Great. The Gator Nation has been a real inspiration to me. |
| Instruction | 10 | I had excellent professors. The career counselors made sure I was set before I graduated. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I don't think it was any harder than any other college program. If you apply yourself, then it's not difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I had to sit in classes and observe actual teachers. There was also book learning and there were theories to memorize. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I worked while attending the school and it was completely flexible. Some semesters, I needed evening classes, while other semesters, I needed morning classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The campus is huge. There is always somewhere to study alone or have a study group. |
| Social Life | 7 | I joined a few clubs and made a lot of friends. Some of them I still communicate with on a daily basis. |
| Placement Services | 10 | I had a job waiting on me upon graduation. With the classroom observations, I already knew the principals of a few schools, so they looked out for me. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | I receive information about the alumni association. They seem to do a lot of good in the community with scholarships, community outreach, volunteer work, etc. |
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