Frequently Asked Questions - Program Questions
Each state has its own set of criteria for the issuance and renewal of credentials. Prospective students interested in the credential process should check with the Credential Commission within their State's Department of Education for detailed information before enrollment. AGSE will assist students in providing any reasonable information that may be required in the credential process. The Program is designed to service a national market and does not purport to provide licensure, credential certification or salary advancement in any particular state and/or school district. Applicants interested in licensure, credential certification and/or salary advancement are encouraged to contact the relevant licensing body(ies) and their respective human resources department before enrollment.
No. Academic and administrative procedures are carefully designed so that students can complete coursework entirely through directed independent study, without unreasonably disrupting their professional and family lives.
In the United States, the acceptance of transfer credits between institutions lies within the discretion of the receiving college or university taking into account such factors as course content, date completed, grades, and accreditation. In spite of the view of the U.S. Department of Education that all accreditation recognition is equal, some institutions have very restrictive policies for accepting transfer credit. If you plan to transfer credits earned at AGSE, or enroll in another program at a later date, you are urged to check with the other institution(s) before enrollment in the Program.
In every measurable way, yes! DETC accreditation is just as valid as any regional accreditation, and the Secretary of Education has officially recognized DETC since 1959 and by the Council for Higher Education and its predecessors since 1975. DETC accreditation meets the precisely same standards as the regionals, and have vastly more experience and tougher, more stringent standards for distance learning than any other agency in the U.S.
Yes, and in many cases even more effective. In May 2009, the United States Department of Education released a report that looked at 12 years' worth of education studies, and found that online learning has clear advantages over face-to-face instruction. The study, "An Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies," stated that “students who took all or part of their class online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction.”
“Attendance” is at times that are convenient to you. We do recommend that learners login at least three times each week in order to stay current with the coursework and virtual learning community activities.
Most courses are a semester long. The only exceptions are Portfolio Project (EDC #610) and Mentored Practicum (EDC #620), which take two semesters to complete.
There are no textbooks required for the Master of Arts in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Secondary Education, or Master of Education in English as a Second Language programs. The Master of Education in Special Education program requires two textbooks.
The time will vary from learner to learner. The online activities include reading the content, completing assignments/quizzes, and interacting with the virtual learning community. Learners will spend about 3-4 hours online during a week.
Program length depends on how many courses are taken at a time. Our learners typically take two courses each semester because they are teaching full-time as well. On this schedule it will take three years to complete your master's degree. You may be able to complete your degree in significantly less time if you are able to enroll in more than two courses per semester.