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 Community College of Philadelphia, Penn State, Drexel, and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
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 La Salle.
- 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, Community College of Philadelphia, Keystone, and UPenn.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Eastern University, Chestnut Hill, Carlow, and Cedar Crest.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of UPenn, Bucknell, Villanova, and Gettysburg College.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Washington & Jefferson College, Grove City, Baptist Bible, and Valley Forge Christian College.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at UPenn, Bucknell, Lehigh, and Gettysburg College.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at UPenn, Bucknell, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and Lehigh.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Bucknell, Gettysburg College, Washington & Jefferson College, and Lehigh.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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University Of Pittsburgh At Johnstown • Johnstown, PA
Studying Secondary Education - Social Studies (completion in 2010)
• 11/4/2011
"I feel I learned a lot and was challenged enough. Also, UPJ set me up to be successful and ready to teach right after graduation. Also, the small tuition bill was nice."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It's a small school, but that's not bad. You'll get good attention from teachers. You'll learn all you need and be ready to go. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | In the area surrounding this college, they are viewed very highly for instruction in education. Secondary education also seems to be their forte. A degree from UPJ in Secondary Education almost guarantees a job immediately in one of the school districts surrounding the campus. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The course load is very heavy, requiring multiple 18-credit semesters if you'd like to graduate in four years. Also, some of the classes can be very difficult, such as Inclusion Strategies. And unfortunately, the adviser for the major is not exactly the best, nor is he easy to work with. |
| Instruction | 6 | The majority of the teachers I encountered were very competent. Some, however, thought their background in secondary education made them an "expert" so to say, when that wasn't really the case. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The majority of the classes you have to take are not overly hard and do not require an excess amount of work. There are a few, such as Education Psychology, which can get to be a lot of work, though. The biggest challenge is just that you are recommended to take several 18-credit semesters if you want to graduate in four years. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Aside from a semester of student teaching and some in-class exercises in a few major exclusive classes, this major is nothing more than a lecture you'll be tested on. I spent most of my time just sitting in class, taking notes, or studying and waiting to actually get into a classroom. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | UPJ is not a very big school, so the schedule isn't very large or flexible. Yes, you'll get the classes you want or need. If you'll get them at exactly the time you desire is a whole other issue, though. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | School is fairly small, so classes are usually on the small side. Rarely anything more than 30 students. Also, facilities such as classrooms and the library are also very old. Don't expect many new books in the library; you'll have to find them through the PittCAT online library system. |
| Social Life | 3 | Very few students here actually live on campus. Majority of the school is commuter students, like I was. So, there's not much going on on campus, ever. Also, since it's a satellite campus of a large university, sports aren't a priority. Most students, like I did, simply show up, do their work, and disperse. |
| Placement Services | 2 | For some reason, UPJ does not have its own division for this. It's left up to your academic adviser to help you here. And as far as that goes, its mostly a matter of who they know. I didn't have that much trouble, but I've heard some horror stories. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | It's nothing great or nothing bad. They keep in touch and look out for you, but don't expect a favor if you need one. And from my experience, they're usually hard to get in contact with. |
California University Of Pennsylvania • California, PA
Studying Secondary Social Studies Education (completion in 2010)
• 11/23/2011
"The experience was worth what I paid and incurred in debt. I feel that I could not have gotten a better education for the same amount of money, but realize it was not the best education ever."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend it for people looking to spend about the same amount of money. I enjoyed my time there, but they would have to know the ups and downs of the school to decide if it was for them. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | My school is rated well for education schools. Additionally, it is ranked third in the country for online programs, with two of the major enrollment groups being in elementary and secondary education. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The original program wasn't academically challenging; there were too many low-level classes for basics. I therefore added a degree just in history, to beef up my skills. |
| Instruction | 9 | The professors had real-world experience and had the ability to relate to students. Everything I was told about that could happen in the classroom, I saw with my own eyes! |
| How Difficult | 4 | I was extremely talented at memorizing information, so I did not find the program difficult. However, peers found it particularly difficult because of the amount of reading required. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | A lot of it depends on the professor; they were either one way or the other. I did end up having an equal mix of hands-on and book learning throughout my time, as I was able to properly mix it myself. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | The school has a decent amount of online offerings, but not for education classes, unless they are a graduate student seeking a master's degree and are already certified. However, the school offers many online classes and programs, and it is rated the top online school in Pennsylvania. Additionally, there are some weekend programs for specific majors, such as business. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The library is extremely out of date in terms of books and resources. There are up-to-date labs across campus for classes, but not necessarily available for student access "whenever." Additionally, while tutoring services are available, tutor availability is not easily known to all students and is not always flexible with students' schedules. |
| Social Life | 7 | As someone who was an athlete, I enjoyed myself. However, most students are not involved in school spirit, as many students commute to school from upwards of an hour away. Home game events are never packed and the campus is dead on weekends. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The school is not the best at job placement, but does hold many career fairs and networking sessions for students and alumni. The school has a career services office, and not only is it available to students, but it provides services to alumni for life! |
| Alumni Network | 9 | The school invites alumni to various events through e-mail, social media, and quarterly mailings. Additionally, alumni are asked to donate and be involved in career fairs and be mentors. |
Penn State • University Park, PA
Studying Theater (completion in 2003)
• 12/20/2011
"I was very satisfied with the education I received from Penn State. They helped me get to where I am today."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It was a solid, good program. You can get a good education and make connections there. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Penn State has recently taken a hit, due to the ongoing news stories. This really has no reflection on the program itself, but is sure to dissuade applicants from choosing the school for a few years. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Very satisfied with the education I received at Penn State. Knowing what I do now about theater and teaching it, I wish there had been a few more lighting courses. |
| Instruction | 8 | Experts in the field were brought in to teach. No student teachers or TAs. We were learning from professionals and people who really knew what they were doing. |
| How Difficult | 7 | It was challenging at the time. Looking back, though, I'd say not overly so. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Very good at mixing the two. Theater is a hands-on area. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Quite flexible. Able to schedule what was needed, when it was needed. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Great professors. Excellent libraries. |
| Social Life | 10 | Penn State has a good mix of academics and enjoyment. I took advantage of both sides of what the university had to offer. Football games, clubs, and parties with friends were the norm. |
| Placement Services | 3 | They didn't really help with that. Advisors were able to give recommendations, but there was no real career planning, per se. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | Penn State has a huge alumni network and support system. There are chapters all over the U.S. |
Pennsylvania State University • University Park, PA
Studying English (completion in 2011)
• 12/23/2011
"Overall, I worked as hard as I could and had a great experience. The best part of Penn State were the professors who mentored me."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Penn State is great for people pursuing teaching because the program's funding is strong, the faculty is superb, the classes are competitive, and the campus is beautiful. The investment of time and money are well worth it. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Penn State is one of the most competitive state universities overall, and the liberal arts programs are no exception. A large number of students in the program ensures that only the best can complete the program. Slackers will fail out. |
| Program Quality | 8 | There is a wide variety of classes and professors to choose from. The program was a good value for me, paying in-state tuition. |
| Instruction | 8 | The professors were very gifted and knowledgeable. They also made themselves available to help me outside of class if I needed it. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The classes were hard if you invested yourself in them. The more you put into a course of study, the more you get out. I had many hours of writing and reading to complete every day, but I know I got the best training I could because I worked so hard. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Learning is very book-oriented. In the teaching program, pedagogy comes from readings. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Online and evening courses are available in abundance. There are also many independent study options available with many different professors. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The library is well-equipped and maintained. The classrooms are sufficient and crowding is rarely a problem. |
| Social Life | 8 | The school-spirit can be overwhelming if you're not interested in football, but there are other ways to socialize. The experience is what you make of it, and you will find friends everywhere you look if you have the right attitude. There is truly something available to everyone, whether it's a social group, an academic club, a sport, or a special interest group. |
| Placement Services | 5 | Teaching placement is not very helpful even though Penn State is the number one corporate recruiter of entry-level workers. Some would say its career services are the best... just not for teaching. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | Penn State's alumni network provides friendship and support in every city for workers in every field. Their alumni network also offers professional networking opportunities. |
West Chester University • West Chester, PA
Studying Secondary Education (completion in 2006)
• 12/29/2011
"I love WCU; it is a great place with great people. Going to WCU has led me to the career I love and for that I am eternally grateful."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | WCU is a highly regarded institution for training in the secondary education field. It is a great campus with a great faculty and will lead you to a career you love. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | WCU is highly regarded for its secondary education program. It was highly ranked by both USNWR and USCB. |
| Program Quality | 10 | College was a great time for me, the campus community was great. I took part in Greek life, and many other campus events/opportunities. Voluteer work was a big thing for me. And of course it allowed me to get the education for the job I wanted. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors at WCU are great and really prepare you for the real world. I had one professor who would spend hours with me every week so I could pass my introductory calculus courses. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The course work was difficult, but then again college isn't meant to be easy. Of course, there was still plenty of time to have fun so it wasn't too overbearing. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | In my opinion there was a great mix of hands on and book learning. Of course, there were some professors who relied solely on the textbook, but there were also many who tried to integrate as much hands on learning as possible. One professor brought a hover craft into a physics classroom for a demonstration. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | I did have a couple conflicts with scheduling, courses during choice times are hard to get. There are many evening options but not as many weekend options (which I thought was rather odd). However, there were still plenty of opportunties for me to take the courses I needed as well as the ones I wanted to take. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Although WCU doesn't have the best endownment, it has a great library and resource center. In addition, WCU has an amazing faculty that is always ready to help out. |
| Social Life | 10 | WCU community is something that you never forget. The vibe on campus is great and the school spirit is something that stays with you years after you graduate. |
| Placement Services | 10 | I had someone to guide me every step of the way. Without WCU's carrer guidance program it would have been much more difficult to land a job as soon as I did. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | There are alumni events from time to time, and as I live nearby, I attend all of them. However, I think this is one area the school could improve on as there are few events other than the scheduled reunions. |
University Of Pittsburgh At Johnstown • Johnstown, PA
Studying Secondary Education (completion in 2009)
• 1/21/2012
"Upon leaving the program, I felt very prepared to enter the teaching profession. My only complaint was that one or two of the department's professors were not very informative during classes."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The program not only provides excellent classes, but also numerous and disparate field experiences. In addition to great education classes, there is also a wide selection of classes in each subject area. The program is very well-guided, so you never have to worry about missing a requirement. The department always informs students about approaching deadlines (even for the certification tests). |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Anyone in the area who wants to go into teaching knows that this school provides the best preparation around. In addition, the school is ranked third in the region. |
| Program Quality | 8 | The school provided a great variety of classes that covered all aspects of the teaching profession. However, some of the material was repetitive. |
| Instruction | 7 | The majority of the instructors were former teachers and had a great deal of experience to relate. However, there were one or two who taught in a very bland manner, making it difficult to comprehend the information. |
| How Difficult | 8 | It was one of the more difficult programs at the school. The classes involved a lot of field experience and preparation. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The majority of the education classes that I took involved field experiences and practice lessons. About half of the classes required textbooks, but the books were used less frequently than in classes in other departments. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | During the fall and sprig semesters, there is a great deal of variety and flexibility. You can fit just about every class into your schedule. However, there are no online classes and the summer schedule is sparse. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | All of the classrooms have media options such as computers and projectors. The library is state of the art. My adviser was very knowledgeable about the program and professors always encouraged individual conferencing. |
| Social Life | 5 | Sports were not a very big deal at this school. However, social events were relatively common. I did not often attend these events, so I don't know much about them. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The school provides career placement services. However, I have never used this service. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I know that the school provides some career support. However, I have never used this service, so I can't say for sure how good it is. |
University Of Pittsburgh School Of Education • Pittsburgh, PA
Studying Foreign Language Education (completion in 2008)
• 2/13/2012
"It was a 1-year program that required student teaching. The ability to take what I was learning in class and apply it the next day was very helpful. In addition, I was able to complete a master's degree in one year."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The program provides a lot of theory in education. However, you're able to put theory into practice daily. In addition, it is a reputable school with a lot of ties to the community. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | The University of Pittsburgh is an accredited university. It is well known in the community and has a great reputation. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The University of Pittsburgh's School of Education provides the opportunity to teach nearly full-time while going to school at night. It provided (at the time I was there) a stipend for interns, which helped defray costs of the education. |
| Instruction | 10 | There was a multitude of professors. The professors had been in the classroom and were well versed in the content areas. The professors made time to be available and answer questions as needed. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The content was not extremely difficult, because I felt like I was "born" to be a teacher. However, the time constraints of projects during night classes and teaching during the day made it difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The classes in the evening involved a lot of book work and were very theoretical. However, because I student taught, I was able to put the theory into practice. Once I tried a technique, I could discuss it in class. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | Because of the structure of the program, it is nearly impossible to change the course structure. Teaching during the day required programs to be in the evening. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The university has many computer labs. They have a very large library. They provide access to various databases. The professors were available by email as often as you needed them; they provided their office hours as well. |
| Social Life | 5 | The University of Pittsburgh has many club offerings. They are very involved in football; I was able to attend football games at a discounted rate. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The university provides options for students to do their student teaching, which could turn into a job opportunity. They also provide resources for finding available jobs in the area. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The School of Education provides an email outreach to students who have graduated. They do not go above and beyond, in my opinion. |
University Of Pittsburgh • Pittsburgh, PA
Studying Master Of Library And Information Sciences (completion in 2010)
• 2/9/2012
"I would have enjoyed my time in school more if I had been able to appreciate the university's activities and surrounding attractions (museums, etc.). The program itself prepared me for my practicum, which prepared me for my current position. The professors were knowledgeable and willing to assist students."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | For a person who wants to be a Pennsylvania librarian, I would recommend this program, but if they are planning on leaving the state to work in a school, I would suggest they look at other schools in that state (certification issues). In Pennsylvania, I think my school was one of the better programs, so I would likely recommend it to someone who does not mind being incorporated into a city. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | The program was rated very highly a few years ago, but has lately been falling. I don't think that the reputation has sunk very much yet, but it may. |
| Program Quality | 5 | Programs like this are difficult - they can tell you about theory, but the real learning happens when you enter the classroom (library) and begin teaching. My school could have been excellent, but the adviser was forgetful and ill-prepared to assist students sometimes. |
| Instruction | 7 | Most aspects of the curriculum were quite relevant to my field, but there were a couple classes that left us wondering why we were there. Career preparation was slightly dependent on us: we had a semester-long practicum experience, but if your assigned teachers were not very good, then your experience would reflect that. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The workload and academic challenge were extremely easy for most classes - a few projects, plenty of book discussions, etc. There was the option to apply for an additional internship, however, and that could add 10-20 extra hours to your workload. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Because of the type of program, we had a lot of hands-on learning with creating projects or developing lesson plans. The only way to learn these things is to actually do them, not just read about them. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | For my program, we had a set schedule of courses, and an order in which to take them. We had minimal choice with electives (2-4), and the classes were generally offered only once per year (Fall, Spring, or Summer). Not all programs were like this, just my specific one. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | I was pleased with the facilities. Being a librarian, I wanted to see a good library and computer labs, and I was not disappointed. In the Information Sciences building alone, there was both a library and free computer lab. Professors made themselves available during office hours or as needed. |
| Social Life | 1 | I had no social life, unfortunately, but I know the university did have organized activities. I was too busy with school, work, and an internship to spend time going to pep rallies and athletic events. |
| Placement Services | 5 | There was no job placement, but as part of our practicum experiences, we did have weekly conferences on our portfolios, resumes, etc. We also participated in mock interviews, however that was the extent of our "career services" experience. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I have seen very minimal alumni networking and support. There is a group on LinkedIn for alumni, but there is little happening there. Coming from an undergraduate institution with one of the largest alumni associations, the lack of one at my graduate school was surprising. |
Shippensburg University • Shippensburg, PA
Studying English (completion in 1994)
• 2/26/2012
"My master's degree gave me the ability to earn more with my teaching positions. I also became a lifelong learner and researcher."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The class-to-teacher ratio was low. The course of study was interesting and varied. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | When I went there, many of the English majors would have preferred to be attending what they considered a more prestigious university; these were English majors and not education majors. |
| Program Quality | 10 | My university was very good, although my training was in English literature and not precisely how to teach high school English. What I learned in writing and reviewing great authors was applicable to lesson plans for students. |
| Instruction | 10 | I feel I gained greater exposure to a wider array of authors and works that I could pass on to my students. I also gained greater experience in writing. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The work was challenging. I have heard of other programs that are more strenuous, however. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We read a lot, but also did class presentations. We also had peer editing of our work, and discussion groups. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | When I attended, online courses were not really being offered anywhere. They did have evening courses, but I would have preferred more day classes too, as I was attending full-time. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | I was able to find the books I needed for my thesis. If a book wasn't at my library, I could obtain it in a day or two from interlibrary loan. |
| Social Life | As a graduate student, I didn't choose to participate in many school activities, as I was either studying or working one of my two jobs. However, our classes would sometimes meet in a restaurant for a lecture or a study group. | |
| Placement Services | I did not utilize any of their assistance programs and moved out of the state. I did have professors assist me with letters of recommendation. | |
| Alumni Network | I really don't know, as I moved out of the state after graduating and did not do anything myself to connect with the alumni. They are probably fine, if you take interest in them. |
Temple University • Philadelphia, PA
Studying English Education (completion in 2007)
• 2/20/2012
"I received exactly the kind of education I needed to help me do my job to the best of my ability for a reasonable price. One major negative, though is that there is hardly any scholarship/fellowship money. I hounded my advisor for months until he said he knew of someone on campus who had an academic internship/stipend for one semester. The only reason I even knew about it was because I asked."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | An MEd from Temple University will provide the preservice teacher with the core teaching skills, practical classroom experiences, and valuable human resources necessary to make a successful career in K-12 education. Temple does all of this at a price you can afford. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | These days many people and universities are overly concerned with the brand name that comes with a certain school. Most people in the trenches want practicality. My take is how smart can you be if you're willing to pay $100,000+ on an education that will earn you a salary of $43,000 per year (if you're lucky enough to find a job and stay with it). But I have known some Ivy League-educated teachers who are marvelous at their jobs. So, the reputation depends on the point of view. But I am 100% confident that I made the right choice for my MEd. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I had a fantastic advisor. He has an ideal mix of intellect and practicality that challenged me and prepared me. I wish, though, that we had one or two additional English professors to get another perspective. |
| Instruction | 8 | Temple provided me with the methods and experiences to make me successful. When I was student teaching, my cooperating teacher told me she never liked getting student teachers from Penn because they never got around to teaching anything. I never used anything I learned in the mandatory computer class. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I have nothing to compare this experience. Others tell me school is easy to get into and that the standards are somewhat low. I wasted my time as an undergrad so I made sure when I was pursuing my MEd that I would work my hardest. It didn't seem that hard, though, just time-consuming. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of your experience is in the classroom, but not as much as if you were in an undergraduate program (because you have far fewer classes to take). Observation, student teaching, and numerous presentations and sample lesson plans slightly edge out the academics. But a mix. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Temple's MEd program is designed for working professionals, so there is flexibility. You do, however, have to complete observation during the first semester. You can do either a standard same-teacher observation or you can do multiple schools at different times. Very convenient. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Nothing about the physical facilities stands out here. The folks in the Temple library are mostly rude. Professors are very available and extremely encouraging. |
| Social Life | 2 | Because most students are working professionals, few people are there to make friends. There are also wide age and intelligence gaps that make socializing difficult. The school offers a lot of cool events, though. I saw Barack Obama speak at Temple well before he announced his candidacy for president. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Like many major cities, Philadelphia has a huge annual teacher job fair. School districts from the region and country come. You get info and receive applications faster than if you used the Internet. I had six serious interviews because of this one event. Because the profs were academics who no longer taught children, they were often out of touch with the ever-changing reputations and climates of the schools within the city. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | Two days ago I applied to join Temple's networks on LinkedIn. I receive the Temple education magazine. Information and people are out there, but I haven't used them. My sense is they're there if and when you need them. |
Robert Morris University • Moon Township, PA
Studying Secondary Education With Emphasis In History (completion in 2000)
• 3/26/2012
"My school was absolutely perfect for me. I wouldn't have chosen a different school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The education program was phenomenal, and it really helped prepare me. I would absolutely recommend it to others going into education. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | RMU was one of the top 15 Pennsylvania schools for education majors. I've heard nothing but great things from other people about their education program. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Robert Morris had an incredibly strong education program, which was full of great opportunities. I felt like I definitely was prepared for the workforce. |
| Instruction | 8 | I had a really good student teaching experience, and my professors worked very hard to show us what teaching would be like. I felt very prepared. |
| How Difficult | 7 | It was difficult in the sense that we had to study a lot of psychology and other really complex subjects in order to be able to complete the program. But there wasn't that much difficult work. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was more hands on, in the sense that we had a lot of in-the-classroom experience, teaching other students our own plans and working alongside teachers. There was a decent amount of book learning, though. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | My schedule was completely flexible. I could choose my classes, and they were never unavailable. I didn't have to settle for classes, and it was easy for me to schedule classes at the times I wanted. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The amount of libraries and computer/study spaces was incredible! They were well kept and always calm. There were some education facilities that were also great. |
| Social Life | 10 | There wasn't a huge Greek life, which was fine, because I wasn't into that. The groups of people there were very nice, and it wasn't hard to fit in with people. There wasn't too much partying, and people found other ways to have fun besides getting drunk every weekend! |
| Placement Services | 7 | I didn't really use these services. However, my friends who did felt that they were very helpful and didn't have a whole lot of trouble finding jobs. |
| Alumni Network | I never got connected with my alumni network. |
Drexel University • Philadelphia, PA
Studying Master Of Science Of Instruction (completion in 2009)
• 3/23/2012
"I was extremely satisfied with my school and would recommend the program to everyone. The only reason it doesn't get a 10 is because my advisor had me take a class that I didn't need, and then there was a long process to fix that problem."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Drexel was an excellent school. It met my needs of having a flexible, challenging, relevant program. The professors were engaging and I enjoyed the online format. It was not easy and you did have to be highly motivated to succeed, but it was a valuable experience that I would recommend to others. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | I believe we have a good program with a good reputation. I chose the school because of its proximity to my residence and its ratings. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I enjoyed my program greatly. The professors were knowledgeable and I felt like the content was relevant. |
| Instruction | 10 | My instructors were highly involved in the learning process. What I enjoyed was the deep discussions that occurred in my many classes. The professors asked questions that pushed you to reflect and reconsider many topics and issues. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The program of study did take some effort to complete. It required time and motivation to be successful. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Part of the schooling required that I do student teaching, which is obviously as hands on as you can get! There was a large amount of book learning and group work. The group work was done with online collaboration tools, so I guess that could be considered hands on as well. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Since I took an online program, I found the school to be very flexible. I was always able to get the classes that I needed. |
| Academic Facilities | I took online classes, but when I did need to work in a group or talk to a professor, I was always able to get in touch with someone. The level of communication and quick response was outstanding at Drexel. | |
| Social Life | Since I took my classes online, I would say that I didn't have a social experience at Drexel. It was solely an academic experience. | |
| Placement Services | I didn't use any career assistance. I was able to find employment on my own. | |
| Alumni Network | I have not been interested in connecting through the alumni program. I do receive emails and newsletters, but I have yet to attend any events. |
Marywood University • Scranton, PA
Studying Biology (completion in 2008)
• 3/18/2012
"I would not decide to return. It was an OK experience, but there is nothing that makes me want to go back."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | It was an average school. I heard many of my friends had better/more rewarding experiences elsewhere. |
| Program Reputation | 1 | It is on the list of the most unhappy students in the U.S. |
| Program Quality | 2 | My school spends too much time with reading (English) and math. The sciences take a backseat. |
| Instruction | 9 | The instruction was great. |
| How Difficult | 10 | I would spend every waking moment studying and feel as if I never opened a book. I did learn a lot. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was much more book learning than hands on. The labs were more hands on, naturally. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I could do classes online, at any time during the day. Independent studies were also offered. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | We had nice buildings, but a new library is needed. It's hard to build in a time of budget constraints. |
| Social Life | I commuted and did not have much of a social network/experience. | |
| Placement Services | I am unsure. I have not heard bad or good things in this area. | |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I have yet to receive information other than the school asking for money. |
Pennsylvania State University • University Park, PA
Studying Teaching Certificate Program (completion in 2005)
• 4/9/2012
"I feel like Penn State is the main reason I'm able to say I am happy today. It's a great school, and I had a great time learning there. Now, I'm having a great time applying what I learned."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The tuition is cheap and the school is great, what more could you want? Anyone looking to be a teacher should definitely consider Penn State when picking a college. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Penn State is known as being a teacher's school. I remember growing up and expecting a good teacher if there was a Penn State pennant on the wall. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Penn State gave me all the preparation I needed to be a teacher. The program was very comprehensive, and the staff was great. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors at Penn State are all top notch. This is a school that really puts pride in its staff, and it's reflected. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It was what one would expect from a college teaching program. The harder you work, the easier it actually is. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There is a bit of a difference in teaching philosophy with the professors. It really was a mixed bag, especially for subjects like history, where you can't really do much with hands-on training. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | It's the largest school in Pennsylvania. With all of its campuses, summer programs, and online programs, there really is no way one could complain about flexibility with this school. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | All the facilities are top notch and well cared for. There are plenty of study group options, professors to contact, and there aren't many distractions since Penn State is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. |
| Social Life | 10 | It's a huge state school, that guarantees big parties during football season, and generally year round there are many parties students are expected to go too. It's easy to get carried away though... |
| Placement Services | 8 | With so many people in the same major, there are times when I felt like I'm just one in many. However, that wasn't enough to prohibit me from landing a good job, which I did. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | With about 40,000 students a year, there are quite a few alumni I can contact. In addition, a lot of teachers at my school also went to Penn State. |
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania • East Stroudsburg, PA
Studying Special Education And Elementary Education (completion in 2010)
• 4/3/2012
"My time at ESU was a great experience. They not only provided my with the tools to become a successful educator, but also allowed me to participate in several programs that were geared toward my interests and allowed me to meet several wonderful people."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | My recommendation would depend on the person's desired major and interests. I would definitely recommend this school to someone who loves the outdoors and wishes to be an educator. |
| Program Reputation | The major and PA teaching requirements have changed since my graduation. I am not familiar with the change in the program in response to the changes made by the state. | |
| Program Quality | 6 | I enjoyed my major; however, I feel as though they could have provided more experience and classes for Special Education. In addition, I wish they would have allowed students who were duel majors to work in Elementary classrooms that included several students with disabilities when completing the work experience. |
| Instruction | 8 | The professors were great and really knew their material. They were always professional and extremely caring. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The PDS program our major included was extremely challenging, but as equally valuable. Looking back, I know that it was the challenging nature of my program that truly prepared me for a "real life" job. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It depended on the class. Most electives were book oriented, while requirements were very hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | There was some flexibility depending on the classes you were taking. Some classes were only available at night, which was not always convenient for a student who needed to work through school. |
| Academic Facilities | 3 | The Library was/ is in desperate need of an update. They never had the materials we needed or had materials that were too old to utilize in our research (professors had a 20 year limit). |
| Social Life | 8 | ESU had a great student atmosphere. I met several wonderful people through their organizations that I know will be life long friends! |
| Placement Services | 4 | They did not assist me in seeking employment. I attended a few workshops provided by the program and school to help write my resume, but that was the extent of their help. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I have not heard anything from the Alumni Association. I feel very disconnected since graduation. |
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