Going Back to School

[Country Kids]

I completed my degree entirely on-line.
I'd look for a college that offers distance learning.

Most don't require you to ever physically step foot on campus.

As for costs, does your QRIS program and/or your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency offer any type of grants for professional development?

My local CCR&R has a TEACH grant that pays for a large portion of tuition, books, travel and substitute costs for providers working towards their associates and/or Bachelor's degree. I recommend checking with them to see.

The one that they offer, I'm to high up on the registry for. They offer I guess to those who are just starting up their education (have no previous college)? The books would be paid for though if I take the classes at our local community college.

I could go for free to on online college that is in Ohio but I have to join our Union and then pay $35 dollars a month to the Union. I'm just not sure of joining the Union in order to do that.

[Country Kids]

There is also six practicum classes I would have to take and I'm not sure how I would do that since I work all day in my own childcare?

[Annalee]

Thank you, Annalee. Maybe they will get on that soon.

BC, our TEACH grants are only for center workers right now. Those with State Pre-k's inside. I never even got the tuition reimbursement I "qualified" for the first go round, or the $500 cash fitness/health policy bonus I "won". Where did you get yours, online?

I am wary of some of the colleges that advertise on TV.

The local community college here. We have state assistance set up at multiple colleges across the state. I chose the one closest to me. I am going to research the distance learning BC mentioned and see how costly it is because the original assistance I used will only go to specific colleges. I will have to pay the BS distance learning online on my own unless I hire a worker for me to attend class at an approved college and I can't do that!!!! or better yet I don't want to do that!

[AmyKidsCo]

There is also six practicum classes I would have to take and I'm not sure how I would do that since I work all day in my own childcare?

I was allowed to do all my practicums except the Administrators and Kindergarten ones in my own center with my DCK. It made it MUCH easier! My local Tech has an accelerated program so I went to school Thursdays from 6-10pm and 8-4 one Saturday per month. The rest of the work was outside of class.

[sahm1225]

I started school in fall 2014 and am just now taking my last class for my associates. I did all But one class online. I took one class, then 2, then did 3 at a time. 3 was way too much (I have 3 young kids at home) and I was up until midnight almost every night with schoolwork.

Once I finish with my associates, I will
Transfer to another school And do in person classes and probably just do one at a time.

The online classes were about 6-7 hours of work a week (that included reading, discussion boards, etc). It wasn’t that much if I did a little bit each night

[Blackcat31]

CK I messaged you some info

[Country Kids]

Thank you all so much for info and advice! Lots to think about and mull over.

It will be my last kiddo at home junior and senior year if I do this and I don't want to miss out on those last two years with him.

I'll keep everyone updated on what I decide

[Blackcat31]

There is education assistance help here but they dictate which college can be used.

Aw, that's a bummer. Ours didn't dictate where we could go...just that it was accredited and accepted by our state.

Thank you, Annalee. Maybe they will get on that soon.

BC, our TEACH grants are only for center workers right now. Those with State Pre-k's inside. I never even got the tuition reimbursement I "qualified" for the first go round, or the $500 cash fitness/health policy bonus I "won". Where did you get yours, online?

I am wary of some of the colleges that advertise on TV.

Yeah, I'd be wary of some of those on TV colleges as well. They seem like any other "As Seen on TV" gloats....if they are so great why are they only on TV? ::

I completed mine via a MN State University that offered (still does) a distance learning program called 2+2. You did 2 yrs (for the AAS) and 2 yrs for the Bachelors'. IIRC, there are something like 23 community colleges and universities that you can sign up to take courses through but ALL credits end up on one degree even though the classes were offered via multiple colleges....make sense?

For ex one semester I had 5 classes. ALL 5 of them were through a different community college but I just logged onto one site and did all coursework there. At the end of the semester the college I took the course through sent my completion record/grades/transcript etc to the college I named as my "Home Campus". After completing the required number of credits, my degree is from my Home Campus....which I've never stepped foot in.

https://electmn.com/

[Cat Herder]

I completed mine via a MN State University that offered (still does) a distance learning program called 2+2. You did 2 yrs (for the AAS) and 2 yrs for the Bachelors'. IIRC, there are something like 23 community colleges and universities that you can sign up to take courses through but ALL credits end up on one degree even though the classes were offered via multiple colleges....make sense?

For ex one semester I had 5 classes. ALL 5 of them were through a different community college but I just logged onto one site and did all coursework there. At the end of the semester the college I took the course through sent my completion record/grades/transcript etc to the college I named as my "Home Campus". After completing the required number of credits, my degree is from my Home Campus....which I've never stepped foot in.

https://electmn.com/

That sounds awesome! I will check it out. Thanks

[Cat Herder]

I typed the name of your program into my browser and then added my state name. I got a hit! I was excited, then saw "The annual list price to attend _____ is $43,470 for all students regardless of their residency"

Plus technology fees.

[Cat Herder]

Strike that, they have already canceled that program, too.

[Blackcat31]

I typed the name of your program into my browser and then added my state name. I got a hit! I was excited, then saw "The annual list price to attend _____ is $43,470 for all students regardless of their residency"

Plus technology fees.

Holy Buckets!

I got a T.E.A.C.H. grant, assistance from our local ECE and some financial aide. The out of pocket expenses were less than $10,000 total for me.

[Blackcat31]

Strike that, they have already canceled that program, too.

https://www.brenau.edu/news/brenau-university-celebrates-georgias-first-online-early-childhood-education-programs-with-open-houses-on-various-campuses-2/

How about this one?

[Cat Herder]

https://www.brenau.edu/news/brenau-u...us-campuses-2/

How about this one?

That's the one. When you get past the sticker shock and into the actual program it is no longer online. https://www.brenau.edu/online/online-degrees/ then https://www.brenau.edu/admissions/ags/bse-ece/

[Cat Herder]

Thank you for looking for me, though. Two sets of eyes are always better than one. :hug: