Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Secondary School Teachers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Lorain County Community College, Ohio State, Wright State, and Ohio Christian University.
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 Urbana University, Union Institute & University, Lourdes College, and Cincinnati Christian.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Ursuline College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Central State, Union Institute & University, The University of Findlay, and Muskingum University.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Antioch, Ursuline College, Ohio Christian University, and Ashland University.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Oberlin, Gods Bible School and College, Denison, and Union Institute & University.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of The College of Wooster, Denison, Gods Bible School and College, and Oberlin.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Oberlin, Case Western Reserve, Denison, and Ohio State.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Ohio Christian University, Oberlin, Central State, and Notre Dame College.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Oberlin, Denison, Art Academy, and Case Western Reserve.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Ashland University • Ashland, OH
Studying Curriculum And Instruction (completion in 2009)
• 10/29/2011
"I had a great experience at Ashland. The professors and advisors were excellent. The classes were practical so that I could actually use the information in my own career. I found the professors and advisors to be accessible when I had questions outside of class. I often looked forward to going to classes. Probably the only reason I didn't give Ashland a 10 is because the tuition is fairly high."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Students at Ashland get the attention they need with excellent instruction and flexible class times. Ashland provides hands-on experience that teachers are able to use in their classrooms. I always felt like I was an important part of the university. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | This is a private college in the same area in which there is a state school that offers the same programs. We have the option in my district to go to the state school and get tuition reimbursement, but many teachers choose Ashland University because it is so much more personal and responsive to the needs of the students than the cheaper state school. |
| Program Quality | 10 | My university provided excellent professors who were able to thoroughly prepare me for my job. They responded to my needs and were flexible in preparing their curriculum to meet those needs. The university also provided all students with excellent advisers who were always available to help me as needed. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors were all teachers at some point (or were currently teachers) and understood what the students needed to become successful teachers. They were flexible and responsive to our needs. The provided clear instruction and guidelines and were willing to allow us chances to revise work when needed. |
| How Difficult | 4 | Since the work had to do with what I was already doing every day as a teacher, it was fairly easy to complete. The readings and essays were reasonable and we had very few tests since we were proving competence through projects and papers. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | As many of us were working teachers, we were able to take what we were learning and apply it to our classrooms. We were often required to do studies or interviews within our own classrooms. We could report back what worked and didn't work to our classes. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Most of the students at Ashland have day jobs, so Ashland provides all evening classes during the school year. During the summer there are day, night, and weekend courses that meet frequently so that students can complete the courses quickly before going back to work. Ashland was offering more online courses by the time I graduated. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | I went to a branch of Ashland University that didn't have a very large library, but as a part of a system called OhioLink, I could go to almost any college library in Ohio to get the resources I needed. Ashland has excellent computer labs that were open throughout the day for students to use. The classrooms were adequate with good technology. Advisors and professors made themselves available through office hours, phone, and email. |
| Social Life | 5 | Since most people at Ashland are working adults, there isn't much in terms of social events and get-togethers unless students plan them (such as getting together to study or work on projects). As a branch of the main school, there are no athletics. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I never had to use it because I already had a job, but I know that there is one available for recent graduates. They provide job fairs and career advisers to help students and recent students obtain jobs. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I know there is a network, but I've never been a part of it since I didn't have a need for help once I graduated. They provide a Facebook page plus frequent alumni events. |
Ohio State University • Columbus, OH
Studying United States History (completion in 2008)
• 10/31/2011
"I really enjoyed everything about my program study and Ohio State. It was a great life experience that I will never forget. Not only did they prepare me for my future but I made friends I wouldn't have otherwise made elsewhere."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a really great school to study at. Everyone will accept you and help you. It is a great program to study under. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | The program I chose is not very popular at Ohio State. It flies under the radar but is a very respected program among the History society. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Ohio State has great professors, they really know what they are doing and are good at it. The program is built for people who learn both ways, hands on and hands off. It's a truly great program for everyone. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors are amazing, they really know what they are doing. They work with you to make sure that you are getting the most from you're education. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The program was difficult because that's what it takes to make sure that you know what you need. But the professors really work with you to make sure you understand everything. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Ohio State has the perfect mix of hands on and book learning, it will suit all types. Professors adapt to the students, not the other way around. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | The class scheduling is like a traditional college. If you want things like night classes you can find them but they wont be very popular. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | They have everything that you could need to learn history successfully. They also helped me to become a teacher through the use of in classroom training and a special minor program for teaching. |
| Social Life | 10 | Everyone at Ohio State is very friendly and will help you to get used to campus life. Athletics is a big part of life at Ohio State, you will most likely not go through four years without going to an athletic event. |
| Placement Services | 10 | I never really had to worry about finding a job as I knew that my school would help me to be placed in a great job. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | Ohio State really supports the alumni, they want to build relationships so that they can continue the tradition. |
Miami University • Oxford, OH
Studying Art Education (completion in 2004)
• 11/7/2011
"It was ok. I got what I paid for."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would not recommend to anyone that they go into art education. Plus, the art education department at Miami is not very good anymore. |
| Program Reputation | I have heard nothing regarding reputation. There are two major universities in my area. | |
| Program Quality | 10 | I was prepared in theoretical knowledge. I was prepared in classroom management. |
| Instruction | 5 | It was nothing special, compared to other classes I had to take. It seemed almost less demanding than other subjects. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It required a lot of studio time. There was a lot of reading, but not too much research or writing. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I did 16 weeks of student teaching and a semester of tutoring. All the studio classes were hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | When I was there, only day and night classes were available. Now they offer online classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The libraries were excellent. The studios were well stocked. |
| Social Life | 5 | I was a nontraditional student, so partying didn't matter to me. They were well known for athletics. |
| Placement Services | I did not use job placement. I got tips on where to find work online. | |
| Alumni Network | I do not use alumni support, although they always send me letters requesting donations. |
John Carroll University • University Heights, OH
Studying Math (completion in 2007)
• 11/4/2011
"It was a great place. I didn't like the people."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If they go all the way to PhD, I'd not suggest it (you're not teaching if you have a PhD in math). If you are going to teach or generally into education, I would suggest it. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The school didn't specialize in math. It was also really difficult to find a helpful instructor. |
| Program Quality | 8 | It was a great place that provided me with a great education. It was also tough in the math department, which I feel prepared me for teaching. |
| Instruction | 8 | It was a great place that provided me with a great education. It was also tough in the math department, which I feel prepared me for teaching. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The course material was extremely demanding for a school that didn't specialize in math or engineering. It also provided quite a few courses. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I had to basically teach myself. The book was the main source of learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | You don't get a class after they get filled unless you are in the major, which is a bad thing, because there are a large number of core required classes. It's annoying when you need to complete those but the classes are filled. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Lots of reference materials. There are also a number of e-sources. |
| Social Life | 5 | There were a number of parties and social events. The problem I had with them is that the school attracts the lazy bums and the superficial, which I didn't connect with. |
| Placement Services | 10 | They have a wonderful career center. They helped me find my first job, which I didn't keep. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | They really have a good network. They cater to mostly upper middle class families / students and want the most successful to donate to them after graduation. |
Muskingum University • New Concord, OH
Studying Music Education (completion in 2009)
• 12/2/2011
"It was a great school for what I needed. The music area was very small, yet very good."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The music faculty is great and ready to work with you. It is a beautiful campus. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | It is a small school that a lot of people have not heard of. People around the school know it and give it a good rating. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I had great one-on-one time with my professors. There were not a ton of clubs to be a part of. |
| Instruction | The music professors were amazing. The education professors were idealistic. | |
| How Difficult | 8 | I was taking 12-15 classes a semester. Most were 1-2 credit hours. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | In the music field, it is a nice mixture. In the education field, it is very book heavy. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | Not a lot of online options. A good amount of weekend and summer options. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | They opened a brand-new music building. There is a good-sized music library. |
| Social Life | 6 | There are Greek life programs available. Not a lot otherwise. |
| Placement Services | 3 | For local jobs, it is fine. For jobs outside of the area, it is not. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | Since it is a small school, there are not a lot of alumni. I do not hear a lot from the alumni office. |
Bowling Green State University • Bowling Green, OH
Studying Music Education (completion in 2010)
• 1/9/2012
"I feel very satisfied with my education and time at BG. I met a lot of people, colleagues, and friends, and I developed musically and intellectually."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | BG has a great education program and prepares teachers well for the field. If you took full advantage of all the resources it offers, you would be a fantastic teacher. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | My college is one of the best teaching schools in Ohio. I think the music education program could improve in terms of teaching more contemporary teaching concepts. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Musically, I felt very prepared to teach. I could have had a few more classes geared towards professional learning. |
| Instruction | 7 | The instruction was way above average in developing my personal musical skills and having real experience in the classroom. There are sides of teaching I was not prepared for, such as organizing field trips and dealing with parents. |
| How Difficult | 6 | The workload in college was very manageable. I rarely felt overwhelmed, unless I took on a large credit semester. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Towards the end of my education, the school provided and required a large amount of real classroom experience. Method classes and student teaching revolved around the idea of a hands-on approach. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | The music program had little flexibility, due to firm classes like orchestra and private lessons, but any general education class was easy to take in a variety of ways. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | My school had many great facilities and tools for music education majors, including a music education library and resource center. Bowling Green also offered a variety of different technology resources. |
| Social Life | 8 | Bowling Green is quite large, so the social scene was whatever I wanted to make of it. We had a large Greek population, as well as a large number of clubs and social events. |
| Placement Services | 3 | No one from the school helped me find a job after graduation. I had to look for a job on my own, with no assistance. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I haven't heard much from the alumni network, with the exception of calls asking me if I am willing to donate. The only way I have kept in touch with professors is if I emailed their personal email. |
University Of Cincinnati • Cincinnati, OH
Studying Educational Leadership (completion in 2007)
• 2/6/2012
"I enjoyed the experience very much. I feel that I am very well prepared for a career in educational leadership."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I think the ease of online learning would appeal to many others. The price of the courses were also very fair. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | They are locally and nationally known for being a good school. Being a graduate of a local program certainly helps in some interview situations. |
| Program Quality | 9 | It was one hundred percent distance learning, but the professors and assistants were very accessible and informative. I learned a tremendous amount by having to rely on my own hard work rather than sitting and taking notes in a classroom. |
| Instruction | 7 | Some of the professors relied on the assistants too much. There was also way too much emphasis on their own "special interest" groups when it should have been more inclusive when tackling subjects like diversity. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I found the online curriculum easy to follow. Perhaps if I were not at ease with online courses, I would have found this a bit more challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There were texts provided for the online courses. However, you were expected to do a lot more independent research than in a traditional classroom. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | It was an online curriculum. You were given due dates, but when you did the actual work was up to you as long as things were turned in on time. |
| Academic Facilities | Again, this was done online. I did not access the campus at all until the day I walked in the graduation ceremony. | |
| Social Life | It was an online course. I did not have the opportunity to socialize. | |
| Placement Services | I did not need to use their placement program. I already had a job. | |
| Alumni Network | I am not active in the UC alumni network. They only solicit money. |
The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH
Studying Art (completion in 1983)
• 2/8/2012
"My school prepared me for my career and I have everything I need to handle it. It was also prestigious enough to get me a good career in a good school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | My school was very affordable and inexpensive compared to other schools in the field. It also provided an excellent education. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | My school is recognized in Ohio for it's excellence in teaching. The professors are known for being great teachers. |
| Program Quality | 9 | My school provides a fabulous art program. The professors were excellent. |
| Instruction | 9 | The professors at my school were some of the best I have worked with. They are great at giving the students an understanding of art. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The program was challenging. It was not too hard, though, because the professors were great teachers. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My school had hands on learning during lectures. It also had a little bit of book learning, but it was rare. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | I was placed in a class that was at the same time as my part time job. I filed a request to switch classes and they allowed me to. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | My school had many great resources. They gave us access to educational studies that had not yet been published as well as useful databases. |
| Social Life | 8 | My school had a lot of school pride. The people at the school were also very friendly. |
| Placement Services | 5 | My school made an attempt to find me a job. In the end I found my own job without the school's help. |
| Alumni Network | I don't have anything to do with my school's alumni network. I was just there for the Art program. |
Case Western Reserve University • Cleveland, OH
Studying MFA (completion in 1997)
• 2/17/2012
"I liked the academic side of the school. The social aspects detract from what would be considered a traditional college experience."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It depends on what one is looking for. If you want a school with high academic standards, then yes. If you want to have a traditional college experience, most definitely not. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The school is not known for the arts, so the program is small and secondary. If you are looking for a "name" to hang on the wall, this is not the school for you. If you are looking for a well rounded education, this is the place. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The school is very open to the curriculum I present. The only disadvantage to the district is the limited budget I have to use on supplies. |
| Instruction | 7 | The school did not specialize in Arts education, but crossover classes with the Cleveland Institute of Art helps greatly. Non-related classes were extremely well presented. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The school has a well-respected reputation and an amazing staff. The work load was heavy and you were required to push yourself beyond the boundaries to achieve success. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It's a very mixed environment. There's not as hands-on work as schools with larger departments. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Classes are offered at many different times to accommodate your schedule. Certain required classes are only offered at one time each semester because of the small department. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | Being a small department, not much space or resources are dedicated to this program. There are better options if you are in search of the latest and greatest. |
| Social Life | 3 | There's very little social interaction by many of the students. A lot of international students with language and cultural differences combined with a heavy work load make this a pretty non social school. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The school isn't highly involved with job placement for this degree. There are job fairs, but almost none that relate to the arts. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | The program is small and the students seem to scatter after graduation, so a network almost doesn't exist. Social media has made it easier to connect with former students. |
Cleveland State University • Cleveland, OH
Studying English Language Arts Instruction 7-12 (completion in 2008)
• 3/13/2012
"Overall, the program was good. Most of the professors were helpful. I felt prepared to teach when I left."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Overall, the professors were helpful. The instruction prepared me for the teaching profession. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | I have never heard anything negative concerning their teaching program. It is a very popular program at the university. |
| Program Quality | 8 | They provided a lot of assistance during the practicum and student teaching. The classes were relevant and helpful. |
| Instruction | 7 | Most professors were very helpful and knew their subject areas. Some were less than helpful and displayed no real-world knowledge past the 1960s. Education has changed considerably. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I found the workload to be manageable. The courses were not difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Other than student teaching, classes were largely book-based. I can't think of too many classes that were hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | There were a few options for scheduling classes. There were not very many classes offered online. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | There were adequate facilities available. There was a very nice library, but not enough computer labs. |
| Social Life | I was never involved in social activities at school. This was not a concern of mine. | |
| Placement Services | I have never utilized these services. I am unaware that this was ever specifically offered. | |
| Alumni Network | I have never utilized the alumni network. I do receive updates frequently, so I assume support is available for those who require it. |
University Of Akron • Akron, OH
Studying Biology (completion in 1997)
• 3/13/2012
"I am very satisfied with the University of Akron. They have vastly improved with many new buildings, a new student center and a new football stadium. I wish I could be a student again now."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The university is a very good school, with quality instructors and quality instruction. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | The university has a good reputation in many areas. Education and Biology both have good reputations. |
| Program Quality | 4 | The performance level and preparedness of the students entering high school is low. The administration does not support the staff and does not hold the students accountable. |
| Instruction | 6 | My college preparation was not realistic to the actual situation of being in a classroom. The biology education I received was very good. |
| How Difficult | 6 | The biology courses I took were challenging. The education courses were simple and common sense. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There were a lot of labs and field experiences included with the courses. Lectures and reading were necessary as well. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | There was a lot of class flexibility. The university caters to its commuter population and its continuing education population. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The library is very nice, with study cubicles available. The lab facilities were also nice and well stocked. The entire campus has free Wi-Fi. |
| Social Life | 5 | I chose to commute, so I did not have much of a social experience on campus. There is a lot of opportunity for that, which I wish I had taken advantage of. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I received help with writing resumes. It has been a long time, but I am sure their services have improved even more. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I get a lot of information from the alumni association. There have not been any services I have needed. |
Kent State University • Kent, OH
Studying Education- Instructional Technology (completion in 2009)
• 4/7/2012
"My school trained me for work in the classroom. I would have been highly pleased with my experience if only the administrative details were better taken care of."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Kent is a highly reputable education school. I believe that I attained my job, in part, because of my education training there. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | I earned a state license to be a school librarian at Kent. It is the only school in the state with this program and is highly regarded in my field. |
| Program Quality | 2 | There were many hoops to jump through to attain my degree. While the course work itself was adequate, the institute's operations were lacking. |
| Instruction | 7 | I learned many things during my coursework that I apply in my classroom today. My rating would be higher if the program would have been more rigorous. |
| How Difficult | 2 | I began coursework for another master's degree at the same institution. My coursework in the education program was significantly easier. Much of the education degree was based on "busy work." |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | While my coursework often focused on technology, there was little technology in place to personally work with. I often referenced my text books for information on technology that I should have had the opportunity to work with hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Kent offers many online options. They also offer classes at campuses throughout the state. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The library at Kent is vast. My professors were readily available to help me. These were the most important factors to me. |
| Social Life | 5 | Because I commuted to the college, I often missed organized social events. However, posters and advertisements for events were posted often, and many of my fellow students enjoyed their social experience. |
| Placement Services | 1 | I was never provided any information on career placement assistance. For my school library internship, I was required to find my own internship place. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The alumni network provides frequent updates on the happenings of the school. It does little to aid former students in getting a job. |
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