NGU Teaching Degree Named Most Affordable in SC for 2021
Posted on: March 24, 2021
Tigerville, SC (March 24, 2021) Teaching is one of the world’s most important jobs. Teachers play a vital role in the growth, development, and success of their students. It is probably fair to say that, outside of parents, teachers have the most influence over the next generation.
Education is an ambitious profession, and the demand for teachers is increasing across the nation due to shortages. Teachers help students develop important academic skills across all disciplines including English, mathematics, history, music, science, and so much more. However, a teacher’s role is much broader than providing academic support and development. These professionals also help their students learn how to act and behave in the world and ultimately teach them how to be positive contributing citizens in their communities and beyond. Teachers must help students learn skills such as socialization, kindness, teamwork, honesty, and dedication. When teaching younger students, teachers often serve as caregivers, and as the students get older, teachers serve as mentors and role models.
Unfortunately, pursuing an education degree can be very expensive. It involves completing an undergraduate degree and, oftentimes, a graduate degree in education. Though a master’s in education is not a requirement to teach in schools, it can help make you more marketable compared to the competition. However, earning a master’s degree in the first five years of teaching has become the norm. A master’s degree can also fast-track you to higher salaries, administrative positions, or larger schools.
According to recent studies, 70% of students graduate with debt. This debt is not insignificant either, especially for a master’s degree program. Students owe approximately 1.6 trillion dollars in student loans at the federal level. For many people, paying off their student debt can take a lifetime. However, undergraduate and graduate degrees do not have to cost so much money. It is possible to undertake study without paying more than you can afford.
To help, bestvalueschools.org, an online source for providing prospective students with the information and resources to have academic and professional success, has put together a handy guide for 2021. This guide includes institutions of higher education, which lists the most affordable teacher education programs there are. This guide helps break down the benefits of a teaching degree; the best methods to find an affordable teaching degree; a list of the most affordable schools offering teaching degrees; and a quick guide to saving money while studying. The website released its 25 Most Affordable Teaching Degrees in 2021. North Greenville University (NGU) ranks at No. 18 and the only college in SC to be included.
“If you love to learn, have a passion for education, and want to help people reach their full potential, then teaching might be the profession for you. Teaching is incredibly important and is a rewarding career path with plenty of options,” said NGU Dean of the College of Education Dr. Constance Wright. “You can pursue an education degree that suits your interests and talents. NGU offers teaching certifications in early childhood, elementary, secondary (math, social studies, English), and K-12 certifications in physical education, Spanish, and music as well as a 100% online degree in elementary educational studies. Our graduate programs include a Masters in Education with concentrations in learning disabilities, and teacher leader, and doctoral degrees in K-12 and higher education leadership”.
Wright says, “Getting a teaching degree is a rewarding experience. Not only does our program give you the foundation to teach effectively, but it also connects you with an array of other people pursuing the same goals using a cohort model. This camaraderie is essential for developing a network, discovering potential jobs, and creating a professional community,” Wright said. “This community can help you learn how to advance your skills to be more successful, as well as inform you of the latest job opportunities. It can also be a strong foundation of support if you move into a graduate program.”
The College of Education at North Greenville University believes that an effective teaching program is one that prepares teacher candidates to be educators who seek to inspire future generations to love learning; to invest in learning themselves so they can remain effective in the classroom; and, most importantly, to impact communities. By equipping our teacher candidates with the knowledge of how they can live out their faith in the classrooms through how they love and serve their students, colleagues, administration, and community, our teacher candidates become effective practitioners, caring leaders, and lifelong learners.
The education programs at North Greenville University operate under the philosophy that effective teaching will ultimately place the student first. We seek to understand what exceptional teaching looks like, and then align our course work and clinical experiences around that understanding.
Our faculty has over 200 combined years of teaching experience in the public and private school systems, and this does not include our vast experience in higher education. This allows us to provide relevant and insightful strategies to help our teacher candidates successfully navigate the classroom. We believe that teaching is a calling, and we seek the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ, as our guide to ensure our students are fully equipped to not only teach academics, but to also be able to demonstrate love, patience, and a true understanding of the whole child.
Is teaching your calling? Learn to lead more effectively in your professional career at NGU.
