transferring *from* WGU?

[wow]

One of the schools I am looking at is WGU, for a BA in Teaching Secondary Biology or MA in Teaching/Secondary Science. I write science materials for kids but don't have teaching experience, and I think getting more of a pedagogy (and science) background would help. I know I would enjoy the lesson planning aspect of teaching, but I have this niggling fear that I will turn out to hate classroom teaching. I also have health issues that could (or could not) interfere with being able to schedule practicums.* If that's the case and I don't want to/can't complete the practicum, is there any chance of transferring the credits elsewhere for some other kind of degree? Or would I just need to drop out with nothing to show for it? 

*Yes, I know that could also interfere with full-time teaching, which is why I would look for tutoring or sub positions instead of full-time ones if the health issues get worse.

[dfrecore]

You can transfer WGU credit out, it's an RA school. The problem is going to be finding another program that will take the courses you take, and having them fit into a degree.

I think it's better to find a more suitable degree. I think in most states, you get a degree in the subject you want to teach, and then add on a credential. OR, you go straight into a teaching program that has a credential as part of it (like this one at WGU). Since you're unsure about that, you're much better off getting a degree in Biology (or science or whatever) and then not getting the credential.

[sanantone]

If you decide to transfer to a biology program, WGU's credits will not fit well. WGU's program is primarily an education program with a few basic biology courses thrown in. You'll lose a lot of credits upon transfer.

[wow]

You can transfer WGU credit out, it's an RA school.  The problem is going to be finding another program that will take the courses you take, and having them fit into a degree.

I think it's better to find a more suitable degree.  I think in most states, you get a degree in the subject you want to teach, and then add on a credential.  OR, you go straight into a teaching program that has a credential as part of it (like this one at WGU).  Since you're unsure about that, you're much better off getting a degree in Biology (or science or whatever) and then not getting the credential.

That makes sense. Basically I'm interested in science education, but not sure about the classroom. Maybe that's considered science communication, or online education? Not sure what programs would fit that or if I'd have to do an Independent Studies. I'll need to do more digging.

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If you decide to transfer to a biology program, WGU's credits will not fit well. WGU's program is primarily an education program with a few basic biology courses thrown in. You'll lose a lot of credits upon transfer.

Yeah, makes sense. Maybe I should be looking into TESU MLA with concentration in Online Education, where I can be sure I don't have to teach in a classroom! I am just so tempted by WGU's self-paced structure; I do a lot better in self-paced work than the traditional educational schedule. But clearly I'm in a midlife crisis and don't know exactly what I want to do yet. Sigh.

[sanantone]

You can transfer WGU credit out, it's an RA school.  The problem is going to be finding another program that will take the courses you take, and having them fit into a degree.

I think it's better to find a more suitable degree.  I think in most states, you get a degree in the subject you want to teach, and then add on a credential.  OR, you go straight into a teaching program that has a credential as part of it (like this one at WGU).  Since you're unsure about that, you're much better off getting a degree in Biology (or science or whatever) and then not getting the credential.

That makes sense. Basically I'm interested in science education, but not sure about the classroom. Maybe that's considered science communication, or online education? Not sure what programs would fit that or if I'd have to do an Independent Studies. I'll need to do more digging.

---

If you decide to transfer to a biology program, WGU's credits will not fit well. WGU's program is primarily an education program with a few basic biology courses thrown in. You'll lose a lot of credits upon transfer.

Yeah, makes sense. Maybe I should be looking into TESU MLA with concentration in Online Education, where I can be sure I don't have to teach in a classroom! I am just so tempted by WGU's self-paced structure; I do a lot better in self-paced work than the traditional educational schedule. But clearly I'm in a midlife crisis and don't know exactly what I want to do yet. Sigh.

There are many online science education master's programs and several biological science education programs. Coming across so many biological science programs for teachers was an annoyance for me because I just wanted a regular biology degree. LOL.

In my opinion, you should build a good foundation by earning an undergraduate degree in science and then go for a science education master's. You don't want to be teaching something you don't fully understand.

[midnighttoil]

While WGU is regionally accredited, you may run into trouble with all the classes being pass/fail -- some schools will not accept them for transfer. Penn State Global Campus told me they would not accept them for this reason, even though WGU claims a pass is a B/3.0.

[davewill]

While WGU is regionally accredited, you may run into trouble with all the classes being pass/fail -- some schools will not accept them for transfer. Penn State Global Campus told me they would not accept them for this reason, even though WGU claims a pass is a B/3.0.

Would they not accept them at all or was the issue that they have a limit on the number of P/F courses they accept? Having a limit is quite common, but an outright ban seems unusual.

[midnighttoil]

While WGU is regionally accredited, you may run into trouble with all the classes being pass/fail -- some schools will not accept them for transfer. Penn State Global Campus told me they would not accept them for this reason, even though WGU claims a pass is a B/3.0.

Would they not accept them at all or was the issue that they have a limit on the number of P/F courses they accept? Having a limit is quite common, but an outright ban seems unusual.

Outright ban, only stated deep in their policies page. https://senate.psu.edu/policies-and-rule...dit/#42-82

This isn't obvious from their front facing pages and I wouldn't have known if I didn't explicitly ask an enrollment counselor.

[cookderosa]

I write science materials for kids but don't have teaching experience, and I think getting more of a pedagogy (and science) background would help.

Not a small question, but help with what exactly?
Credibility in the eyes of the parents? More scientific knowledge to help you develop your curriculum? Understanding the student? Getting practice implementing a lab with real kids? Marketing your curriculum?

I have a sneaking suspicion that the problem may not be your background or lack of. Education for entrepreneurs is not NEARLY the benefit that it is if you were trying to work for someone else.

I don't know if you are familiar with the HUGELY popular homeschool curriculum called IEW? https://iew.com

I mention it because Andrew Pedewa is a rock star in this market segment. He is considered by most to be "the" expert in teaching kids writing. He is at EVERY homeschool convention, and if I'm meeting a homeschool parent, there is a 99% chance she's heard of the program and or used it herself. Guess what? He doesn't have a degree. https://iew.com/intro-iew/history-missio...rew-pudewa He has a Suzuki teaching certificate and a Certificate of Child Brain Development from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which interestingly enough my husband and I also both have (we attended the program in 1994 - it's for parents, not professionals).

So, the question remains, what specifically do you think you want help with, and let's figure out if a degree solves that problem.

[wow]

You can transfer WGU credit out, it's an RA school.  The problem is going to be finding another program that will take the courses you take, and having them fit into a degree.

I think it's better to find a more suitable degree.  I think in most states, you get a degree in the subject you want to teach, and then add on a credential.  OR, you go straight into a teaching program that has a credential as part of it (like this one at WGU).  Since you're unsure about that, you're much better off getting a degree in Biology (or science or whatever) and then not getting the credential.

That makes sense. Basically I'm interested in science education, but not sure about the classroom. Maybe that's considered science communication, or online education? Not sure what programs would fit that or if I'd have to do an Independent Studies. I'll need to do more digging.

---

If you decide to transfer to a biology program, WGU's credits will not fit well. WGU's program is primarily an education program with a few basic biology courses thrown in. You'll lose a lot of credits upon transfer.

Yeah, makes sense. Maybe I should be looking into TESU MLA with concentration in Online Education, where I can be sure I don't have to teach in a classroom! I am just so tempted by WGU's self-paced structure; I do a lot better in self-paced work than the traditional educational schedule. But clearly I'm in a midlife crisis and don't know exactly what I want to do yet. Sigh.

There are many online science education master's programs and several biological science education programs. Coming across so many biological science programs for teachers was an annoyance for me because I just wanted a regular biology degree. LOL.

In my opinion, you should build a good foundation by earning an undergraduate degree in science and then go for a science education master's. You don't want to be teaching something you don't fully understand.

I agree about the BS! On the other hand, my spouse keeps telling me to just do the coursework for the biology degree plus hte GRE subject exam in biology without getting the degree (because I have a BA already and these redsidence and cornerstone fees add up) and then get an MS in something bio-related. It is hard to ignore his advice since he has a Bio BS and a Masters in Agronomy.

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I write science materials for kids but don't have teaching experience, and I think getting more of a pedagogy (and science) background would help.

Not a small question, but help with what exactly?  
Credibility in the eyes of the parents?  More scientific knowledge to help you develop your curriculum?  Understanding the student?  Getting practice implementing a lab with real kids?  Marketing your curriculum?  

I have a sneaking suspicion that the problem may not be your background or lack of.  Education for entrepreneurs is not NEARLY the benefit that it is if you were trying to work for someone else.  

I don't know if you are familiar with the HUGELY popular homeschool curriculum called IEW?  https://iew.com

I mention it because Andrew Pedewa is a rock star in this market segment. He is considered by most to be "the" expert in teaching kids writing.  He is at EVERY homeschool convention, and if I'm meeting a homeschool parent, there is a 99% chance she's heard of the program and or used it herself.  Guess what? He doesn't have a degree.  https://iew.com/intro-iew/history-missio...rew-pudewa  He has a Suzuki teaching certificate and a Certificate of Child Brain Development from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which interestingly enough my husband and I also both have (we attended the program in 1994 - it's for parents, not professionals).

So, the question remains, what specifically do you think you want help with, and let's figure out if a degree solves that problem.

These are all good points. My business model used to be more like Andrew Pedewa's in the sense that I was working more directly with the audience, but that is a model that requires a lot of skills and energy spent on things that are not my core interest (marketing, market research, etc.), which is writing/producing the materials. It was fine when I was younger and healthier, but at this point it's exhausting. (I realize I could outsource some of it, but ultimately it's my business so I feel like I'd still need to have a hand in things.) So in recent years I've turned more to working with clients (like agencies, hospital systems, publishers) where I can just do my thing and not the other things. Credentials play a bigger role there.

In terms of "help," I really mean understanding basic educational and information processing principles a bit better. I have an intuitive grasp on a lot of things, but sometimes I feel like I'm hitting a wall in terms of my own knowledge. Credentials are great, and certain ones would definitely help with certain clients, but I don't know that anyone would care if I have a teaching degree.

For those purposes, a few courses in education/information theory would probably serve the purpose. So it might be better to look at a place like ACE for that.