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(AP Photo/Roman Koksarov)
The popularity of more budget-friendly, teaching credential programs offered at Cal State Universities (CSU) has soared during these challenging times. However, those pursuing a teaching credential may want to consider a private school. The costs per year for such programs range from $20,000 to more than $40,000, as compared to under $10,000 for a CSU. The CSU teaching credential programs with robust enrollments include Northridge, Los Angeles, and Dominguez Hills, with programs also offered at Long Beach, Channel Islands, Fullerton, San Bernardino, and Cal Poly Pomona.
However, it may be more prudent to enter a $20,000 a year program. By enrolling in a program, such as National University (NU) with campuses in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Ontario, and throughout California, a grad student can take one course a month and complete both a teaching credential and Masters degree in as little as two years. At the CSU students are limited to 4-6 classes a year, compared to the NU 10-12 classes a year.
Teachers with a masters degree, working in Southern California school districts earn an average of $10,000 more annually than those who only have a credential and undergraduate degree. A Masters degree is a requirement to move columns on teacher pay scales.
The CSU system does not credit credential work towards a Masters degree. Students must complete a teaching credential program and then re-enroll for Masters work. The NU program provides dual credit, so NU graduates can get the pay increase faster. Taking an average of 5 years to complete a credential and Masters program at a CSU, can cost approximately $30,000. At NU, the combination program can run around $40,000, with the graduate earning an extra $10,000 per year for 3 of the years the graduate would still be working on a program at a CSU. Five years after enrolling, the NU student would have earned roughly $30,000 more with approximately $10,000 in debt remaining (given the pay increase was used each year to retire debt). The CSU student would be facing $30,000 in debt and would just begin to collect the higher pay rate that the NU student had been enjoying for 3 years.
With the cuts to the state budget, it becomes harder for students at state schools to get the classes they need, so students end up taking more terms to complete programs. Private schools virtually guarantee student progress. The $40,000 up front cost of a private school program could prove to be more cost effective. Since the NU program can be completed almost entirely online, there is an additional cost reduction in not having to fund commuting and related expenses.
One area where the public school system may be more advantageous than a private, for-profit institution is in the pursuit of scholarships and grants. The for-profit school is dominated by students attending as an employee benefit, so students at the for-profit school may not find the same level of scholarship and grant seeking support that is available at public and not-for-profit, private universities.
Choosing a teaching credential program is a major decision requiring that the student be fully informed. There are a variety of factors, cost being only one, to take into account before enrolling in a program.
For more information on issues impacting graduate students:
The shelter of grad school in a challenging economy
4 tips for grad students balancing family and studies
Janelle has a decade of experience as an educator, holds multiple degrees, and is the creator of the Race to College Success program. Janelle can be reached via email for comments and suggestions about future topics of interest.
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