Are there any int'l Alternative Certification Programs?

BobStrauss · Post by **BobStrauss** » Sat Oct 16, 2010 12:18 am

I have a Bachelors Degree in Political Studies, a minor in English, as well as a Masters Degree in International Relations. I've worked as a p/t assistant for a year in the USA, and have taught ESL f/t for almost three years total in South Korea, China, Australia and Indonesia.

I've decided that I'd like to pursue education as a career, but I'm not excited about the prospect of teaching back in the states for a couple years to get certified. I know there are alternative certification programs in different US states (Texas, for instance) that offer a fast-track to the classroom, but that would require at least a year back home. Are there any certification programs that could be completed by distance, with perhaps a short summertime in-class component, that would allow me to transition to an international school next year?

hiznherz · Post by **hiznherz** » Sat Oct 16, 2010 1:37 am

St. Joseph's University has an all online teaching certificate program that leads to certification in Pennsylvania. If you can get hired to teach, you can do your student teaching from your own classroom. You don't have to attend any face-to-face classes, but it's not cheap!

Someone I work with in China is doing the program now and he's happy with it.

puka2 · Post by **puka2** » Sat Oct 16, 2010 9:16 am

I just heard of and International Teacher Cert. that takes a year. I think it is all online.
I had a friend do an online program through College of New Jersey a few years ago while teaching full time overseas.
Not all schools require certification.

mathgym · Post by **mathgym** » Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:23 pm

University of Missouri has an online credential program-it might even be geared for international teaching.

BobStrauss · Post by **BobStrauss** » Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:43 pm

[quote="mathgym"]University of Missouri has an online credential program-it might even be geared for international teaching.[/quote]

It'll be a cold day in hell when I give money to an institution in Missouri.

Thanks for the advice though. :wink:

ichiro · Post by **ichiro** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 1:08 am

deleted

BobStrauss · Post by **BobStrauss** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:13 am

Do you think some schools might be willing to hire me as a Social Studies/ESL teacher, then allow me to get certified during the first year? I've heard people say this is definitely possible, but I'm not sure what my chances are.

I am just hoping that my overseas experience (roughly 5 years teaching/studying) will help my chances.

heyteach · Post by **heyteach** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:29 am

Hi, Bob,

It is possible to get hired without being certified if you have skills that a school has a need for. However, just understand it will probably be a less desirable school in a less desirable country than you might be dreaming of. I think if you're open to all possibilities you could make this happen. At this point, you should get started on a distance-learning program ASAP; it will take months, up to a year, to complete.

BobStrauss · Post by **BobStrauss** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 11:54 am

[quote="puka2"]I just heard of and International Teacher Cert. that takes a year. I think it is all online.
I had a friend do an online program through College of New Jersey a few years ago while teaching full time overseas.
Not all schools require certification.[/quote]

I checked out this program and it looks like it would suit me well.

Thank you, everyone, for the suggestions. Difficult to figure out the best way of going forward in an odd situation like this.

bedu teacher · Post by **bedu teacher** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:29 am

I was considering the "Fast Train" program at George Mason University in Northern Virginia. It was originally created for spouses of diplomats who wanted to pursue a career overseas. It is open to anyone now. It requires two summers on campus and online coursework during the school year. Your student teaching is done abroad. I ended up doing a traditional degree in NYC since that's where I am located for a few years, but would have liked the international focus of the GMU program.

Good luck!

twostars · Post by **twostars** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 9:29 pm

I'm in Fast Train at GMU now, and I can definitely recommend it. Classes are on campus in the summer, about a month each time. You can get certified for elementary and add on secondary endorsements, or get certified for K-12 ESL and then add on secondary endorsements. You do have to do observation hours during the school year (60 between Sept. and end of Mar. each year for two years) but you can substitute a year of full time teaching in a certified school for the student teaching internship. It's pretty cheap too. (>20,000 usd if you included the cost of housing in the summer.)

If you do elementary you can also get a PYP qualification which is helpful when applying to int'l. schools; I think that's how I got my current job!

I would not recommend the int'l. certificate, since it's not administered by a gov't., I don't think administrators take that too seriously. Plus, if you ever decide to go back home, you can't work.

There are a couple of programs in Australia too.