History Degree: BA from TESC or Columbia College?

[chasm636]

Just wanted to solicit some opinions. I decided to go back to school about two years ago. I recently completed an AA in General Studies from AMU. I'd like to pursue a BA and eventually an MA in History, with the intention being teaching at the college level. My question is this: since I want to pursue teaching, would I be better off attending Columbia College (MO) and having those classes under my belt, and not incurring the fees like at TESC, or, since the MA is the real goal, do I continue to test out (which I'm apparently pretty good at) and only take enough to get a decent GPA at TESC for grad school? Do you think future employers (schools) would take this sort of thing into account?

[Lindagerr]

I don't know what the cost or fees at Columbia are but TESC can be done with only one year of fees. TESC is RA which will get you into most grad schools and will get you a teaching license in most states. It looks like Columbia is too. So the next question is who will accept more previous credits, I can't tell you that, but TESC usually accepts all. So it is really up to you. I would say most employers would not know of either school and would not care as long as they are RA. They probably will care even less once you have your masters.

[burbuja0512]

I know absolutely nothing about degrees and teaching, but you need to think about your ROI. Teaching is a very rewarding career with an excellent schedule, but let's face it, unfortunately, it's also not the highest paying job out there. If you're planning on getting a masters degree anyhow, you'll want to spend any extra penny and time on that. Graduate courses can be outrageously expensive, but are a necessity for almost any teaching job, from what I have been told.

HOWEVER, if you ever want to go beyond teaching kids or community college, you may want to stick with a primarily non-testing transcript or a slightly more prestigious school. I am NOT an academic and no matter how high I advance in school, would never consider myself one. I have seen some pretty snobby people out there and if you want to have more college options, I believe that Colombia may pose an advantage. It may not be a top-tier school however it does merit regional ranking by US news: Columbia College | Best College | US News Not sure what this means, but for the right people it could mean something. If you live near the campus, you would know best how it's viewed locally. Going to a strong local school may also matter in getting a job even if it's not well-known nationally.

[chasm636]

Thanks for the responses. Columbia College accepts up to 96 credit hours. Their tuition is $229 a credit hour. TESC is $212 a credit hour, but has the yearly fee. I would have to take some courses from them just to have a GPA, which of course I would need for grad school. With TESC, I can do one or two semester for 12 credit hours and, if I'm reading correctly, receive financial aid. With Columbia, I will have to take 24 credit hours (8 classes), and can receive financial aid. The TESC advantage is time. The Columbia advantage is money and possibly more to show(?) in the future. Does that make sense?

[dcan]

For TESC you would only need to take one course to get a GPA. There's a 1-credit Jane Austen course that might do the trick. (partly joking, but hey, if it works...)

I had never heard of TESC before finding BAin4weeks.com and then this site. But most people have heard of Columbia. All depends on what you personally value.

To be honest, if I could really afford the time and money, Columbia has a nice ring to it. But a cheap undergrad also means more money for a more prestigious grad degree. BA from Columbia + average grad degree, or BA from TESC + Columbia grad degree? (I have no idea of the costs, just making a point)

[bricabrac]

I agree with Burbuja.

I have learned where you are from (region) can really make the difference, if only conceptually. I am from the East Coast (tri-state) and consider Columbia University in NY to be well known. I have never heard of Columbia College in MO prior to it being discussed in this post.

If you plan to remain in your area, I also think a local school can sometimes prove best considering the local/state employers will know of that school. But even more important to your end goal in wanting to teach, you will develop contacts and academic references from the school which could definitely help you later. Do you know where you want to attend Grad school? If so, start there and work backwards. Example what are their requirements for acceptance. If it is the same school Columbia College, then you could take other courses elsewhere and transfer them back in and only take your major/minor courses at Columbia. This way you are able to meet and take courses from the professors in the department building a positive academic relationship. You will still finish quickly by transferring in other approved courses, tests...etc. When you finally apply to grad school you will have more to show on your transcripts, as well as, positive references from the schools professors. Just another opinion…

Sorry for the ramble, I'm a little tired..

[dcan]

I am from the East Coast (tri-state) and consider Columbia University in NY to be well known. I have never heard of Columbia College in MO prior to it being discussed in this post.

Whoops, yeah, I meant Columbia University. My bad.

[chasm636]

Thanks for the responses everyone! Neither Columbia nor Thomas Edison would be local for me, they would both be online. For grad school, I'm thinking American Public University (I received an AA from sister school AMU), Louisiana Monroe, and maybe a couple of others. Columbia does have a nice ring to it, but I'm drawn to TESC, mostly because of convenience as I am a great test taker. I also work full time and have two small children. I just don't want to regret anything. My brother was telling me yesterday that I'm indecisive. How can you make snap decisions about things like this?!?