Going Back to School
So I've been mulling the idea of going back to school and get my associates in ECE. The reason is for when I "retire" I will be able to a degree to still work in the field but outside of my home. Just doing some research, I'm finding most ECE jobs are requiring a degree. Then I worry I will do all this but be unhirable due to my age by that time. I've worked in home for 20.5 years so this is a big step and I'm trying to look at it from all angles.
The classes are at night but start before I get off which I guess happens to a lot of people in these classes and you just need to explain this to the instructors and hope you don't miss to much class time. To complete this degree in two years, classes are four nights a week-5:00-9:00 with each term being 15-17 credits. This is where I'm stuck. I don't know about going four nights a week. I could do less but it means it taking longer to get my degree done (three to four years) and being that much older when I graduate. Taking four classes though means being gone four nights a week for two years, so missing lots of family things and not being able to get that back. Also, I'm not sure about the homework-I won't be able to get it done during the day with working 10.5 hours so that would more than likely mean weekends would be homework time, plus getting everything ready for the next week for childcare which takes a ton of time as it is now. I would also be going from 6:00 in the morning to 9:00 at night those four nights. Then there is the cost, not wanting to take on student loans at my age and be trying to pay off during my retirement years. So has anyone gone back to school and done it this way or have you taken your time and took a little longer. Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me :) |
I am in a similar situation. Currently working on my degree (I am already an ECE) and it is taking me a long time. I do one course a semester. I can’t handle anymore than that and the university I go to doesn’t offer any distance education. I have now found a great university that has everything online so I have been thinking about transferring my credits. I can get it done faster if I don’t have to be on campus.
Is doing it online an option? I think you’d have a much better chance of getting it done faster. Also I think having your ECE will benefit you greatly in terms of jobs or even restructuring your current home daycare to a preschool. For me I am not sure a degree is worth it and I just do it mostly to keep my brain active. |
The only online I know about would be through our local Union. The schooling would be free as long as I pay the $35 a month Union fee. I'm not sure about online though as I know I do better in a classroom structure, especially for questions and such.
I'm mainly doing it to have in case I ever work outside the home. I already have a preschool set up and I've always done preschool activities ever since I opened. |
Four nights a week is a lot to me! Have you looked into your local community college? The local community college in my area offers a ton of ECE classes online. You could also consider a college a bit away from you with a large offering of online classes....
For my life right now I like online classes - I am able to do classwork / homework during nap time and after work without it impacting my life too much. |
Originally Posted by Ariana: |
Originally Posted by CityGarden: I always have one-three kiddo's that do not sleep during naptime so I'm unable to get anything done during that time. So I would still be having to do it in the evenings. |
I completed my AS ECE degree mostly online. I only attended 8 classes for 60 AS degree hours + 12 CDA hours. My classes were in the evening that I attended. I took two classes at a time even in the summer. It took over 5 years to complete but I did it. I then transferred to a four year college for my BS but there is not any offered online, and it is almost two hours away with no night classes that I need so I stopped with my AS. I have re-enrolled for Fall 2018 at the community college again, however to take another ECE class for renewal of my CDA. I love taking classes. The AS ECE required the math/sciences/etc which was a challenge but I LOVED the challenge. :D The AAS ECE is mostly ECE classes. You could meet with a local College ECE advisor to learn your options. Also to be accepted into the four year college I had to pass the PRAXIS which I did and that was a doozy. :)
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My classes started before I closed, too, and my mentor told me the same thing they told you. That the professor would work with you. The problem was the school has their own policy and I was not told until after I paid. Mine was 2 absences and a fail, door locked at the beginning of class, no exceptions.
Be sure to email the professor first. I wish I had. |
Originally Posted by Cat Herder: |
Originally Posted by Annalee: |
Originally Posted by CityGarden: |
Originally Posted by Cat Herder: |
I completed my degree entirely on-line.
I'd look for a college that offers distance learning. Most don't require you to ever physically step foot on campus. As for costs, does your QRIS program and/or your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency offer any type of grants for professional development? My local CCR&R has a TEACH grant that pays for a large portion of tuition, books, travel and substitute costs for providers working towards their associates and/or Bachelor's degree. I recommend checking with them to see. |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: |
Thank you, Annalee. Maybe they will get on that soon. :Sunny:
BC, our TEACH grants are only for center workers right now. Those with State Pre-k's inside. ;) I never even got the tuition reimbursement I "qualified" for the first go round, or the $500 cash fitness/health policy bonus I "won". Where did you get yours, online? I am wary of some of the colleges that advertise on TV. |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: I could go for free to on online college that is in Ohio but I have to join our Union and then pay $35 dollars a month to the Union. I'm just not sure of joining the Union in order to do that. |
There is also six practicum classes I would have to take and I'm not sure how I would do that since I work all day in my own childcare?
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Originally Posted by Cat Herder: |
Originally Posted by Country Kids: |
I started school in fall 2014 and am just now taking my last class for my associates. I did all But one class online. I took one class, then 2, then did 3 at a time. 3 was way too much (I have 3 young kids at home) and I was up until midnight almost every night with schoolwork.
Once I finish with my associates, I will Transfer to another school And do in person classes and probably just do one at a time. The online classes were about 6-7 hours of work a week (that included reading, discussion boards, etc). It wasn’t that much if I did a little bit each night |
CK I messaged you some info
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Thank you all so much for info and advice! Lots to think about and mull over.
It will be my last kiddo at home junior and senior year if I do this and I don't want to miss out on those last two years with him. I'll keep everyone updated on what I decide :Sunny: |
Originally Posted by Annalee: Originally Posted by Cat Herder: I completed mine via a MN State University that offered (still does) a distance learning program called 2+2. You did 2 yrs (for the AAS) and 2 yrs for the Bachelors'. IIRC, there are something like 23 community colleges and universities that you can sign up to take courses through but ALL credits end up on one degree even though the classes were offered via multiple colleges....make sense? For ex one semester I had 5 classes. ALL 5 of them were through a different community college but I just logged onto one site and did all coursework there. At the end of the semester the college I took the course through sent my completion record/grades/transcript etc to the college I named as my "Home Campus". After completing the required number of credits, my degree is from my Home Campus....which I've never stepped foot in. :D https://electmn.com/ |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: |
I typed the name of your program into my browser and then added my state name. I got a hit! I was excited, then saw "The annual list price to attend _____ is $43,470 for all students regardless of their residency" :eek:
Plus technology fees. |
Strike that, they have already canceled that program, too. :rolleyes:
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Originally Posted by Cat Herder: I got a T.E.A.C.H. grant, assistance from our local ECE and some financial aide. The out of pocket expenses were less than $10,000 total for me. |
Originally Posted by Cat Herder: How about this one? |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: |
Thank you for looking for me, though. Two sets of eyes are always better than one. :hug:
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Originally Posted by Cat Herder: |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: http://www.gcsu.edu/education/teached/pre-education Just the first pre-req course alone: "This course will include at least 10 hours of field experience._ |
https://www.wgu.edu/online-teaching-...s-program.html
I was considering this one. I know of people IRL who have taken the health care programs. It is not ECE, though. It is straight up Elementary education. Not sure how that can actually be all online. :confused: Will keep reading. |
Originally Posted by Country Kids: |
Originally Posted by Cat Herder: |
Originally Posted by Country Kids: I was going to do a college diploma in behavioral therapy for children with autism but the practicum was obviously non negotiable and I just can’t do it right now. |
I started in August of 2014 and graduated in December of 2017 (3.5 years). because I get no financial aid and pay out of pocket (er... my Mom's pocket) and because I still worked, I was mostly part time: 6 to 9 hours per semester, starting out at 6 and increasing after I quit my job.
most of my ECE classes were offered either online or at night, and the latter was not an option, so I took them online. turned out easier than I thought, and I had more self-discipline than I expected out of myself. gen. ed. classes I took mostly offline, but they were offered during the day (humanities, public speaking, English, math, and all that). my college required only 1 practicum class, which I have completed in my daughter's daycare... which is where I now work. |
I met with my advisor today at the local community college....I am four classes from having an Associates for K-5....this program collaborates with a four year college and I could continue to get my bachelors at the community college for their current rates without paying the four year college tuition and use the funding available for continuing education through the state....not sure what I will do but I know my options now and have enrolled for Fall 2018. If I complete these four classes I will have a double Associates degree?? But the Bachelors seems much more attainable now, just through another route. :)
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