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 Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks, PSU Brandywine, and Penn State.
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 Manor, Keystone, Philadelphia Biblical University-Langhorne, and Mansfield.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Moore College of Art and Design, Cedar Crest, Carlow, and Rosemont College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, Keystone, and UPenn.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Eastern University, Chestnut Hill, Waynesburg University, and Carlow.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of UPenn, Bucknell, Villanova, and Lehigh.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Washington & Jefferson College, Bryn Athyn, Grove City, and Baptist Bible.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at UPenn, Bucknell, Lehigh, and Villanova.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at UPenn, Bucknell, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and Lehigh.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Bryn Athyn, Bucknell, Wilson College, and Washington & Jefferson College.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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University Of Scranton • Scranton, PA
Studying Education (completion in 1997)
• 4/29/2011
"As I said, it was expensive, and there were a lot of important things I had to learn on the job. However, they did provide all of the state requirements for certification, which is what I wanted, and all of the professors were genuinely helpful and knew me personally."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I might suggest looking into a state university with lower tuition. State universities meet all requirements for the degree you need, and in the end, how much you borrow and spend matters an awful lot. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | The school generally advertises itself as having a high rating. When people ask me where I went, I feel proud to tell them. |
| Program Quality | 8 | The school was very professional, but there were some important things I never learned there. Also, there were some frivolous courses. |
| Instruction | More than 5 years ago | |
| How Difficult | 5 | Education courses themselves are generally not difficult. On the other hand, the content courses you must take along with them in order to be certified in a particular subject area can be quite difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Education classes, once you get past the theory, are often hands-on. There was a lot of lesson development and role-playing that I found useful. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Although classes were offered at various times, I often ended up in classes that were not at an ideal time for me. I had schedules with afternoon and evening classes together, or gaps in between classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | When I went there, there was a brand new media center, spacious classrooms, and plenty of computer labs in different buildings. The university continues growing year after year, so I am assuming this has not changed. |
| Social Life | 8 | As a graduate student, I was not too interested in the athletics of parties. As far as the social life there is concerned, I can only say that the friends I made there among other grad students are still my friends today. |
| Placement Services | 8 | It was a long time ago, but they did have an office that helped with all of this. However, when I found my job, it was through my own efforts. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I gave this a rating of average but I am not sure it is entirely accurate. To this day I am constantly receiving mail from them, but I do not participate. |
Elizabethtown College • Elizabethtown, PA
Studying Elementary Education With A Concentration In Early Childhood (completion in 2007)
• 6/27/2011
"I received a very good education, and was very prepared to be a teacher. Again, money would be the only downside."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Elizabethtown will definitely prepare you for most eventualities in being a teacher. I had plenty of preparation. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Elizabethtown has a great reputation in general, but especially for teaching. Around this area, it's definitely a positive thing to have on your resume. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I didn't go with 'very satisfied' because, even though it was a great program, it was very expensive. I've been trained very well, but I'll be paying for that training for a very long time. |
| Instruction | 10 | My professors were able to offer great tips and advice to help prepare us for teaching. We also were given many opportunities to get into the classroom early on, to make sure teaching was what we really wanted to do. |
| How Difficult | 4 | My biology and chemistry major friends used to make fun of the work that I had to do. Coloring, cutting, etc. didn't seem like hard work. We have a lot of different things we need to think about at once, though, especially when planning and executing lesson plans. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I went slightly more hands-on because of the program I was in. In elementary ed, you can't just do book learning. There has to be tactile parts to the studies. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | When I attended, they did not have a very flexible schedule. The had some evening classes. Since then, they've added some online courses as well. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Before I started, they had redone some of the buildings and they continued to do so while I was there. They were making sure that they had the most up-to-date facilities possible. |
| Social Life | 8 | Because it was a smaller school, everyone was very close knit. You pretty much knew everyone on campus, at least slightly. Because of this, you almost always had someone you could chat with. |
| Placement Services | 5 | There wasn't a lot of job placement or career service assistance. It's a hard career to get started in. I did have a an advisor, though, who was very helpful in assisting me in getting a job. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | There's a very good connection among former students. Especially with Facebook, I'm able to get into contact with many of the students I attended school with, as well as professors, ask their advice, get opinions, etc. |
Saint Joseph's University • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Master's Degree In Special Education With An Autism Concentration (completion in 2014)
• 7/5/2011
"I love St. Joe's! I am learning a lot, and what I learn is instantly applicable in my classroom. It is going to be worth every penny!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I already have! The professors are knowledgeable and at the top of their game. The newly added autism concentration is just another way to make me marketable while teaching useful, hands on strategies for me to use in the classroom. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | St. Joe's is at the top when it comes to education. Their professors are published and knowledgeable. The school has a strong reputation around the United States for being an excellent school of education. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I am learning a ton of really applicable things about special education. However, the program is an online program and I struggle with the lack of face time with the professor. Granted, that is a challenge I knew I was taking on when I enrolled in a distance learning program. The quality of education is exceptional; I just have a hard time with not being able to talk to or ask questions of a professor face to face. |
| Instruction | 9 | The professors are incredibly knowledgeable and they make sure that we are able to apply what we are learning to the classroom right away. Sometimes feedback is not as immediate as I would like, but when it comes it is exceptional. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The course is difficult with a lot of reading and a lot of writing. Because APA format is so precise, there is a lot of detail that goes into the writing process. Everything has to be perfect, and unlike a class discussion, every idea you have is graded for grammar and writing. The content is accessible yet challenging enough to be interesting. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It is an excellent mix of classroom experience and reflection supported by reading and writing. The assignments have challenged me and there is a lot of opportunity for hands on experience coupled with reflection. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | St. Joe's has on-line courses, cohort options, summer classes, and evening classes. Pretty much any time you want to take class, they have one offered! In my program, you have the option of continuing in the summer or taking the summer off, taking two classes per semester or one, and taking courses online or in person. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The online computer services are excellent. I can connect to the library completely online and it is easy to find material. The school's website is very user friendly. I have not had the opportunity to use any of the resources on campus yet. |
| Social Life | 9 | Even being in the online program, we are included in all on and off campus events. I have attended one basketball game and it was so fun! I hope to get involved more in the future. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I have not yet seen this department in action. However, I am confident that they will help me find an excellent job! |
| Alumni Network | 5 | Honestly, in my first year of the program, I have not yet met or interacted with any alumni that I am not related to. However, I have several family members who attended St. Joe's and they are wonderfully supportive! I am hoping when it comes time to find a special education job the alumni will help out! |
Duquesne University • Pittsburgh, PA
Studying Music Education K-12 (completion in 2009)
• 7/11/2011
"I received a high quality education and I'm fairly marketable. I just have had a difficult time finding a job in this economy."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | Duquesne is a private school, and is very expensive. Not having a full time job straight out of school is really hurting me, because I have to pay off some very high loans, and I'm not making the amount of money that they think I am. If I had a chance to do everything again, I probably would have attended community college for my core classes for a year or so, and then began the music education program. It would have been cheaper, and much less stressful. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | I have got interviews straight out of school simply because I went to Duquesne. They have a reputation of only letting the best graduate. |
| Program Quality | 9 | Duquesne University has one of the top music education programs in the country. It is really a five year program condensed into four years. From day one we were getting field experience, keeping journals, etc. The music ed faculty members are also all very experienced in the field. |
| Instruction | 8 | The curriculum for music ed at Duquesne has been constantly evolving. They expect the very highest quality of work from the students, and are always pushing you beyond your limits. The only reason I rate it as a 8 is because of a few teachers who were on tenure and were ill prepared for their own classes, and we didn't really cover the subject matter that we needed to. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The only reason I didn't just live in the music school was that they kicked us out at 2 AM. I was there day and night working on various projects, practicing, and going to classes. When we weren't in the music school, we were out doing field experiences at different districts in the Pittsburgh area. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We had a lot of assigned reading, but it was balanced out with field experience in real schools. Our teachers also stressed that a lot of the research that we were reading was done by other college professors who have been in the college world for awhile, and out of the public school world long enough, that they aren't entirely accurate all of the time. A lot of what they say does not always apply to a real world situation. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | Core classes were the only flexible thing at Duquesne. The music education program required you to take certain classes in a certain order, and they were all taught by the same four professors, so there was only one class of each, and some were only offered in fall and others were only offered in spring. Ensembles also had a set time and usually three rehearsals a week. So even though the core classes (math, english, etc) were flexible, you were usually stuck with only one or two options to fit them into the rest of your schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The computer/piano labs in the music school were updated with new hardware and software yearly. It is an all Steinway school, meaning every single practice room had a Steinway piano in it. The recording studio was well equipped. The school's library was a little out of date, the computers there weren't quite as new, and a lot of the books were outdated as well. Classroom wise, we had fairly small rooms and fairly small desks, and our class sizes were around 20-40 students, and it was a bit crammed. |
| Social Life | 5 | There were lots of social activities, parties, etc, but in the music school we just didn't have time. The only social things that I did were with other music ed students. |
| Placement Services | 8 | In the year that I graduated, they were great. I had several interviews, but it is a tough job market, and I didn't find full time work, so I began subbing in the 09-10 school year. Last year, I received some help, but they are more focused on those who just graduated. I haven't received any help this year. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | Duquesne provides their alumni with career services. There is also a strong network from faculty at Duquesne to teachers and administrators in the Pittsburgh area where many of us are still looking for full time jobs. |
University Of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Teacher Education, Elementary Ed. (completion in 2011)
• 7/9/2011
"I felt that while Penn provided me with a good education, I could have pursued other, less expensive means of getting my certification and becoming a teacher. I am still left with a ton of questions about the profession."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It depends on the person. If they have money to spare and are ready to give up a year of their lives, I would say yes. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | It's an Ivy league school so of course it has a fantastic reputation. They also do an excellent job of outreach and recruitment. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I think the program was helpful in putting us in student teaching placements and the faculty was really helpful and supportive. However, what we learned in classes had little effect on my development as a teacher. |
| Instruction | 7 | The instructors were fantastic and very personable. The only problem was that the readings we had to do didn't really relate to what we were experiencing. |
| How Difficult | 10 | We were worked to the bone. We had heavy student teaching responsibilities, classes, and large projects due all at once. It was very hard to manage. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The student teaching was very hands on, of course. The actual classes were pretty book learning oriented. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | My life was consumed by this program. If I wasn't student teaching, I was in class for hours. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Penn is very well funded. I had almost unlimited access to any resource I wanted. |
| Social Life | 2 | Penn did try to provide us with Happy Hours every once in a while. However, we were so stressed out that it was impossible to take advantage of these social functions. |
| Placement Services | 2 | This year the district is in a hiring freeze and the program did nothing to help us find jobs in charter or private schools. Also, I have heard that the people in career services have been very responsive to many people in my cohort. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | I still keep in touch with old professors and they help connect me to alumni. They are very good at networking and making sure you are part of the network. |
Penn State • State College, PA
Studying Education (completion in 2004)
• 7/14/2011
"I am happy with the opportunities I've had. I wouldn't change my choice of school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | My experience was positive. I see no reason why someone else wouldn't have a similar one. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | It is good but not great. Within the state, though, it provides a lot of opportunities through name recognition. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I thought Penn State did a very nice job of preparing me for this work. Their opportunities for practical training were especially invaluable. |
| Instruction | 8 | I learned a great deal, especially in the upper-level courses. The knowledge I learned in the classroom translated well to the real world. |
| How Difficult | 6 | It was certainly challenging. With hard work, though, it was quite reasonable. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was a solid mix. Perhaps it leaned slightly towards the books, but it's hard to say. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | They were very flexible. They tried to accommodate any requests, although my schedule was fairly standard. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | They were solid, if not spectacular. I never felt as if we lacked anything necessary. |
| Social Life | 10 | There was always something to do. State College is like a world unto itself. |
| Placement Services | 7 | They were good, partly due to the vast number of graduates. However, the programs were also good. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | As a large school, they had plenty of contacts for networking. Perhaps they lacked the most organized network, though. |
Widener University • Chester, PA
Studying Master's Of Education (completion in 2006)
• 7/13/2011
"I feel that I became well-versed in the theories of education and current popular teaching techniques. I didn't get as much real-world information as I would have liked."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | My undergraduate degree was from a very large university, where I was an anonymous face in the crowd. At Widener, because the classes were so small, I achieved a personal connection with each of my professors. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I haven't experienced any issues with school reputations mattering in the teaching field: as long as you have your certification, they don't really care where you went to school. On the other hand, I've never heard any negative comments about Widener. |
| Program Quality | 8 | We had a small class group and received a lot of personal attention. We did not get a lot of concentrated instruction on real-world scenarios, so I floundered in my first year of teaching. |
| Instruction | 7 | Most of the teachers were clearly competent and I felt that I gained a lot from their curriculum. Some teachers relied too heavily on peer instruction: they divided the curriculum up amongst the class members, and had us take turns teaching each other. |
| How Difficult | 3 | I never had a problem completing the course work. It was easy to maintain a 4.0 average. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The courses were pretty balanced between book learning and project based learning. We also had to do a significant amount of observation and, of course, student teaching. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | I chose to attend Widener because I could fit the classes I wanted into my schedule. I never had a problem, but I don't think they were particularly flexible. I never heard about online courses. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | My advisor was extremely attentive and made an impressive effort to connect with me personally. In our first meeting, he helped me draft out a plan to complete my coursework, which took about 90 minutes of his time. It was a big factor in my school decision, because another university nearby left me on my own to figure things out. |
| Social Life | 9 | My class was small, but we developed close connections. We had regular happy hours and met up frequently at the end of the semesters. We never attended any official events, though. |
| Placement Services | 5 | They held several sessions to facilitate the job search process after graduation. However, they focused strongly on suburban teaching jobs - and I was interested in working in the city. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I didn't feel a strong connection to the school, but they send out a lot of invitations for alumni events. Perhaps if I had gone there as an undergraduate I would feel differently. |
East Stroudsburg University • East Stroudburg, PA
Studying Elementary Education/Minor Early Childhood (completion in 1994)
• 7/12/2011
"The school provided me with the ability to teach in a way that I desired through hands on classes."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | East Stroudsburg provides an excellent education for potential teachers. The professors are excellent and care about your success. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | There are many schools that are bigger and offer much more then this school. |
| Program Quality | 5 | Our school lacks in test scores and our principal seems to care more about pleasing the parents than assisting the teachers with their needs. |
| Instruction | 10 | I feel I have received an excellent education which has helped me implement excellent strategies within the classroom, including adhering to each child's specific learning style. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I found the work to be easy and the work load manageable. There are several options in regard to classes. If you do not want to learn a language you can take a culture class. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | All of the professors were hands on with regards to teaching children of all learning styles. They taught us how children really learn. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | The classes are at set times and are offered at these times only. If you missed one that semester, you take it the next. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The library is about average for a college and computer resources were less than desirable at the time I attended. It had small classrooms but great administrative support. |
| Social Life | 10 | Excellent student involvement with many clubs and organizations to choose from. Many students go home on the weekends, however, and was considered a "suitcase" college. |
| Placement Services | 3 | There was no job placement whatsoever. When you graduate you are on your own. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I have not heard anything about alumni gatherings, other than homecoming each year. |
West Chester University • West Chester, PA
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2005)
• 7/27/2011
"I was very satisfied with my school because of the education I received. I was not pleased with the fact that I got out of college and didn't know how to interview for a teaching job or compose the necessary packet of info required for acquiring a job in my state."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend West Chester to Elementary Education students because I felt prepared to teach at the end of my degree program. I was also very pleased with the professors that I had the opportunity to work with. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | West Chester is well respected as an education school. Many of the students are attending the school for a degree in Education. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The program was great and I learned a lot, but we never discussed how to get a job. I felt prepared to teach, but I had no idea how to get a job. |
| Instruction | 9 | The curriculum was well designed and the Professors were very experienced in the area of Elementary ED. One of the areas that could have been better addressed is how to talk to parents. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The program was not difficult because it was something I wanted to do. The content was easy to understand and the work was fun and engaging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We had a great deal of opportunities to work in the elementary classroom, so we got to work hands-on with the students. I was very pleased with the amount of hands-on learning in the elementary program. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | There were many options available for class scheduling. I never had a problem fitting the classes into my work schedule. I do not recall if there were weekend classes, but there were summer, evening, and some online options. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | We had access to the newest technology available. There were several computer labs, a very large library, and effectively designed classrooms. The professors had weekly office hours. |
| Social Life | 7 | There were a great deal of parties and the athletic events were good. There was not a great deal of school spirit, though. |
| Placement Services | 2 | The career center office was not very helpful. They help guide students on how to write resumes and cover letters, but did not assist me in any way to find a job. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The school's alumni program is thriving and it seems to be well supported. I have selected average here because there is not a great deal of advertising or marketing for alumni events. |
West Chester University • West Chester, PA
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2008)
• 9/24/2011
"The professors were great. I felt like I got an absolutely amazing education. I was truly prepared for working, and I am more than happy to have chosen this school!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It really depends on where you want to go. If you want a party school that's still really good academically, go here. If you want a small, calm school, then don't. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | West Chester is one of the top schools for elementary education. Their courses are very deep and challenging, and all education majors are fully prepared. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The courses were very deep and informative. My student teaching experience was well supervised by my professor. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors were great, and all had teaching experience, so I got a good first hand account. I worked in so many different situations at different schools before I graduated, as well. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Some of the courses are EXTREMELY challenging, but they all were challenging. I feel like I experienced a lot of different academic levels of work and depth. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | From student teaching, to in class reading, to lecture, to group activities, everything was mixed very well. I was never bored with the classwork. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I was a mom taking classes when my own kids were at school, or taking them at night. All of the classes I needed were available at the times I could take them. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | I had no problems getting in touch with the people I needed when I needed them. They were phenomenal! |
| Social Life | 1 | I did not like the whole party aspect. I was also a lot older than everybody else, so I didn't really socialize much. |
| Placement Services | 1 | I did not have a good experience with this aspect of the college. I ended up going job hunting by myself. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I never really knew much about my network. |
Lebanon Valley College • Annville, PA
Studying Spanish/ English Communication (completion in 2007)
• 9/23/2011
"I met many great friends there, including my future husband. It also equipped me with the knowledge of a second language, which has helped me immensely. I also still keep in touch with many of my profs in case I need any help."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | LVC is a first-rate teaching college, even if sometimes it's as boring as the corn fields surrounding it. The professors are great, and since it's so small, people can get close. Dutchman Day and ValleyFest are worth waiting all year for, and truly bring the school together. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | There still seems to be some problems with the English department's handling of internships, but their professorship has become more stable. On the other hand, the Spanish program has experienced many shake-ups in leadership, and has changed its study abroad locale to one that many students are not enjoying as much as we did where we were. |
| Program Quality | 8 | My school was great for both of my majors. It is also a widely-regarded teaching school, with about 70% of the student population in some form of education. I was the dumb one that didn't major in education in my undergrad to begin with! |
| Instruction | 7 | The English program (especially with it's convoluted internship program) could have better prepared me for work in the field. The Spanish program (especially with the study abroad option) is great at turning out fluent second-language speakers. |
| How Difficult | 5 | Both programs were of average difficulty, as it was not as easy as some majors, nor was it as intense as the math and AcSci programs. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My undergrad was a lot more focused on book learning than my current program is. However, there was also a large amount of discussion-based classes (which would be discussions based on what we were supposed to have read). However, I am glad I will never have to read "Heart of Darkness" again, as I had to read it at least once a semester. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Most English classes were very flexible, however the Spanish professors at about the 200 level only seemed to want to work Tuesdays and Thursdays, which caused some conflicts. When I attended, there were no online classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | Professors were extremely accessible, and most knew your name and a lot about what you're involved in (small school and all). Tutors were available through the school, but you have to set up study groups on your own with classmates. |
| Social Life | 8 | The college unfortunately suffered from Middle-Of-Nowhere-itis, so in the later winter months (January to March) there is a significant drop in amount of things to do. However, the late summer, Christmas, and spring time-frames had some great festivals and events that I still return to attend. There is also very little to do on Friday and Saturday nights if you're under 21. |
| Placement Services | 2 | They cover only a limited area in PA, whereas I live in Delaware. Career services was also very difficult to find, as the office is tucked far back in the basement of the college center. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | The Alumni Office puts in a great deal of work in keeping in touch with everyone. There are also very highly attended alumni events twice a year; this is impressive for such a small school. |
Clarion University • Clarion, PA
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2005)
• 10/4/2011
"I feel that Clarion provided a positive learning environment and fostered a lifelong love of education. The professors were caring and helpful in developing my love for teaching."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The school was reasonably priced, especially when compared to private colleges and universities. Graduates of Clarion's education program are known for being high quality teachers. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Clarion is a state school that actually started as a teacher's college. It is well known in Western Pennsylvania for producing top quality teaching candidates. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The education program is known and the placement of graduates is quite good. The professors are very knowledgeable and dedicated to their students. |
| Instruction | 9 | The core education classes provide a solid foundation for future teachers. The classes also provide important opportunities to gain meaningful experience in the classroom environment. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The classes were challenging but not overwhelming. The work was meaningful, but occasionally seemed unnecessary. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The education program provided a good mixture of in-class experiences along with student teaching experiences. This is critical in forming a successful young teacher. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | The school and the staff were helpful in choosing necessary classes. They were friendly and understanding whenever problems would arise. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The classrooms were technologically advanced and provided state of the art equipment. The library also provided all necessary materials for completing class work. |
| Social Life | 7 | The school provided a small town atmosphere in which you were able to make friends quite easily. It was not so big that you were afraid of getting lost in the hustle. |
| Placement Services | 5 | They provided an excellent foundation for future teachers. At the same time, they were not overly helpful in pursuing actual teaching positions. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I don't often hear from my school. They need to work more at keeping in touch with former graduates. |
Drexel University • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Education (completion in 1996)
• 9/27/2011
"I gained my teaching credential, but that was the only way I benefitted from this school. If I could do it over I would choose a different school. This program left me grossly unprepared to teach. I earned a 4.0 GPA in my Master's program, but this means nothing in the classroom..."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would suggest that prospective students do their homework before enrolling in this program. You might actually learn more using an online diploma program. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I no longer live in Philadelphia area, so I am unsure of the current reputation of the program. I should also add that I completed the program some time ago, so things may have changed over the years. |
| Program Quality | 1 | My Master's degree provided me with nothing more than a list of education buzz words and idealistic mumbo-jumbo. I was not even close to prepared to enter the classroom with my degree from Drexel University. |
| Instruction | 2 | The courses I took at Drexel University, most of which were taught by the same professor, were full of theory and current ideas. However, there was very little emphasis put upon practical application of these ideas. Again, this program did not prepare me for teaching. |
| How Difficult | 1 | The coursework required for this program was not rigorous. It required very little time or effort to "earn" my Master's degree from Drexel University. I was very disappointed with the lack of academic challenge. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The majority of learning was book-based. Student teaching was only about 10 weeks long, in contrast with most schools, which require a full semester. There was very little time or opportunity to gain practical skills in this program. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Most classes were in the early evening, which allowed for adults to complete their degree program and still work. The academic year schedule was also appealing, as it was divided into quarters rather than semesters. This allowed me to complete the program in less time than it would have taken at a semester-based school. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Drexel's library is quite extensive, although the hours were somewhat limited at times. Classroom space was adequate, and for the most part instructors were accessible. |
| Social Life | 4 | There was very little socializing as this was a Master's degree program. Students did not live on campus, and most students were employed during the day. There were no organized social events. |
| Placement Services | 2 | I received virtually no support while searching for a job after I completed my degree. The school did not even provide information to all of its students about local job fairs for teachers. That information was only given to a handful of students at the time. The rest of us were on our own in spite of claims upon enrollment that such assistance would be given. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I receive a magazine several times a year, but I am actually completely unaware of program-specific networking and support. If it does exist, they do a horrible job of publicizing and promoting it. |
West Chester University • West Chester, PA
Studying French (completion in 2008)
• 10/5/2011
"I was satisfied with my school. There are some areas that they could have been a bit better in (alumni services, more hands on, etc.), but otherwise it was great."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I feel that I got a good education at West Chester and would recommend it to others. I have actually recommended it to people I know. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | They have a very good reputation for teachers. Many student teachers in my district come from West Chester. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I feel that I got great training for my job. My teachers were very approachable. It was a very good program. |
| Instruction | 9 | I learned a lot in the education program. We covered a wide variety of topics and I feel that it has helped to prepare me for the teaching world. |
| How Difficult | 5 | There was a lot of work, but I expected it going in to the program. Much of the work was easy, there was just a great deal of it. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | A lot of the education was out of the book. I was able to teach sample lessons and work in a language lab which was slightly more hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Many classes were only offered at certain times and were not flexible. Some classes, however, were offered online and at various times of the day to make them more available. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The language lab was new and up to date. The library was in good shape, but was a bit old. |
| Social Life | 9 | There were always a lot of social events going on around campus. I could always find something to do to meet people and find entertainment. |
| Placement Services | 4 | There wasn't a great deal of job placement help at my school. I was placed in a school for my student teaching internship, but I was not helped with getting my name out there otherwise. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I sometimes feel that the alumni network is a bit pushy. I would like to donate to my school, but I feel that is all they care about. There aren't a lot of alumni events that are planned. |
LaSalle University • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Education (completion in 2010)
• 10/5/2011
"The only downside I have with the school is the location of it. Located in North Philadelphia, it is in a bad neighborhood where crimes occur. Apart from that I am quite glad I went to LaSalle. I made tons of friends and had the best time of my life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If you would like to have a teaching job in the Philadelphia area, I would highly recommend LaSalle to anybody who would want my career. Besides teaching in Philadelphia, my school will prepare you for being a teacher anywhere, and you will have a great time doing it. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | LaSalle in general is a great institution, but as I have previously said, the education department stands out among the other majors. You gain a vast knowledge of how to teach to all ages of kids, as well as how to interact with them. |
| Program Quality | 9 | LaSalle has an amazing Education program as well as great Nursing program. I originally started as a nursing major, but changed due to my passion for helping kids. |
| Instruction | 7 | I was well prepared for teaching right out of school. Also, it helped that I was able to adapt to whatever situation arose or what needed to be taught. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The finals and the 400 level courses required dedication. If one were to be lackadaisical about school, this would not be the school to choose. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was more hands on then book oriented. However, the book oriented stuff required extensive reading on the subjects. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I was on the soccer team while working towards my degree. LaSalle was extremely flexible in scheduling and allowed me to make certain classes up. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | LaSalle actually just built a multi-million dollar building. Besides that, all the buildings are high tech using smart boards, central air and multiple computer labs. |
| Social Life | 10 | As I said, I played on the soccer team so I had a lot of friends and hung out with them quite often. Besides soccer, parties at school are amazing - frat parties and sorority parties are a staple of the school. |
| Placement Services | 10 | They provided me with multiple schools that wanted to hire me right out of school. They also gave me guidance while I was in school about what ages I wanted to teach and in what location. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | Philadelphia boasts a large amount of LaSalle graduates. I worked and interned right here in Philadelphia so I interacted with a lot of graduates. |
University Of Pittsburgh At Johnstown • Johnstown, PA
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2011)
• 10/29/2011
"I truly loved my school and the experience that I had. This had a lot to do with the professors and their willingness to help me succeed."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend this school to anybody planning on becoming an elementary school teacher. You will not regret your decision! |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Pitt Johnstown is known for the Education department. When choosing schools, I looked at the different programs and chose accordingly and correctly. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The professors at my school were extremely personable and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend Pitt Johnstown to anybody interested in teaching in Pennsylvania. |
| Instruction | 10 | Everything that the professors taught is relevant to an actual classroom setting. I left college prepared to teach because of the excellent instruction provided by my professors. |
| How Difficult | 9 | A lot of people think of Elementary Education as an easy major, but that is not the case. You must be dedicated to your school work and plan on spending countless sleepless nights on projects/assignments to be able to get the required 3.0. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The program was very hands-on, requiring you to go into an elementary classroom and teach for an entire day once a week. There were also various other times that I went into the classroom to teach shared reading and guided reading lessons. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | Being a smaller school with less faculty, there is only so much they are able to offer. Because I would also go into an actual elementary school once a week as well, I had to keep my Thursday clear, meaning I could not take any Tuesday/Thursday classes during my last two years of college. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The school recently upgraded their entire Education department and it is truly wonderful. The teachers also have various materials that they are willing to share. |
| Social Life | 7 | I did not participate in many clubs or groups on campus, although they were offered. I did not party, either. |
| Placement Services | 7 | The school did not help me to secure a job, however, I did receive very well written, comprehensive recommendations from my professors. These were very beneficial during the hiring process. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | I am made aware of various activities going on at campus and am often invited back for dinners or presentations. Mostly, however, I am contacted about donations. |
St. Joseph's University • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Special Education (completion in 2013)
• 10/25/2011
"St. Joe's is educating me completely. The things I have learned are directly applicable to what I am doing in the classroom."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | St. Joe's, while expensive, is giving me an education that is helping and challenging me to be the best teacher I can be. I am getting materials, experiences, and knowledge from the best professors. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | St. Joe's is known for challenging students and helping build excellent educators. They use the most current texts and research as the backbone of their courses. |
| Program Quality | 10 | St. Joe's is preparing me to be the best special education teacher I can be. They are plugging the holes that undergrad did not fill. In addition, I am logging lots of time in the classroom and learning on my feet. |
| Instruction | 8 | I am taking my Master's courses online, which can be challenging. I miss the face time with my instructor but her recorded lectures are excellent. Her email response times are also good. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I can expect to put in 10-12 hours per week in class. There is a lot of technically challenging reading, but it is applicable to what we are learning, so I do not feel overwhelmed. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | St. Joe's is a great mix of hands on and book learning. In all of my courses, there is a major reading component. There are also hands on experiences that are directly connected to the reading. It is a perfect balance. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | St. Joe's has strong online course, weekend and evening opportunities for classes. Summer options are more limited, particularly if students are willing to take online courses, but there are many opportunities for summer courses. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The libraries are exceptional. They are well stocked, up to date, and even have online resources. The professors are accessible, computer and science labs have the newest technology and the academic advisors are knowledgeable. However, since I do not take classes on campus, I cannot speak to the facilities themselves. |
| Social Life | 8 | St. Joe's has a great message board that allows students to keep up with the social scene on campus. St. Joe's has great sports teams, and school spirit is strong! I am not on campus, so I cannot speak to the parties personally. |
| Placement Services | 9 | I have not used them but most of my friends who have attended St. Joe's in Special Education have found jobs. They have a large career services department. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | I have not graduated from St. Joe's yet, so I am not sure. However, most things about this school are exemplary and I have heard great things about the alumni support. |
Holy Family University • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2011)
• 12/3/2011
"Holy Family was a good school to get my Master's. I am very happy that I attended a different university for my undergraduate degree."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend Holy Family to anyone changing careers and looking into teaching. The program gives you everything you need quickly to become a teacher. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Holy Family is well known for their teaching program in the Philadelphia area. The school provides many class options for teachers. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I gave Holy Family an 8 because the school was good but did not provide the resources an expensive well-known school can. Being a small school, they do not have the same placement programs as other schools in the Philadelphia area. |
| Instruction | 8 | The teachers were very knowledgeable of all the topics covered. The only draw back is many haven't been in an elementary school to teach in many years and have trouble relating. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The program seemed somewhat simple but still satisfied my teaching needs. It was not overly challenging to achieve good grades. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | During my time at Holy Family I only had one teacher that taught using a hands on technique. The other professors all used text books and strictly stuck to note taking. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Holy family offered classes at many different times during the day and evening. There are also two satellite campuses that provide these classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Our school library had teaching resources that were up to date but there was not a large variety. Also the advisor was hard to contact and she took several days to return any call or email. |
| Social Life | 5 | Since I attended Holy Family just for my Master's degree, I was mainly involved in the academics. However there were always signs and postings for events around the school. |
| Placement Services | 2 | I had a bad experience with my placement and received no assistance during this time. Holy Family only sent their students to schools where the professors previously taught and the schools were not the best. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | Being a small school they do not have a large alumni base. This makes it hard to network while also attempting to be placed in a great school out after graduation. |
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