University For Teaching Orders

[MeteorShower]

Hello everyone,

this is a question that just jumped into my head this morning and it's something that I've never considered before, although I haven't really looked into it, so I may not have the correct information.

So, I've looked at quite a few teaching orders. Although the specifics vary depending on the community, all of them seem to have a particular time during formation when they receive their education in order to become teachers. I also realize that the length of formation varies.

I looked into becoming a tacher myself, and to do so I would have to first get an undergrad/bachelor's degree (4 years) and then get a Bachelor of Education (2 years, typically) after. Six years seems an awfully long period of time for a Sister to spend in University during formation. So I'm confused. How long do the Sisters typically spend getting a teaching certificate? I know for a fact that many of these orders don't have prior university education as a requirement for entering.

I hope that makes sense.

Edited August 31, 2012 by MeteorShower

[mantellata]

You cram courses..... course overloads and study during the summer as well as during the year.

A bachelors with a regular course load need only take 3 years.... additional certification only one or one and a half.

That or it just takes you a little while post vows before you make it to a classroom.

[emmaberry]

MeteorShower: I have had this question as well. Thanks for posting!

[MeteorShower]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1346376687' post='2476513']
MeteorShower: I have had this question as well. Thanks for posting!
[/quote]

You're welcome; I'm glad that it helped you too!

Thanks so very much for all the info, Mantellata!

[filius_angelorum]

It all depends on what kind of schools the sisters are teaching at. Some orders, like the DSMMEs, have their own private Catholic schools, and make it their business to be certified. However, you are incorrect to say that certification in the U.S. requires around 5+ years. In fact, to teach usually you only need a Bachelor's in a teachable degree field while taking the necessary education courses as supplements to your major. You also can, instead of getting an M.Ed., which is purely an education degree, get an MAT, which is a terminal graduate degree in your major field which also prepares for initial teaching licensure. So, I would imagine that most sisters simply take the additional education courses from an authorized educational program, then take the certification exams, and are finished.

Anyways, there are also orders which teach and do not seek public certification because they either operate independent schools or because it is not required by their diocese.

[mantellata]

^^ This is true - which was part of what I was alluding to -- however - as a teacher certified in Michigan, it is true that 1) you need a bachelors degree 2) you need to take additional courses towards a teaching certificate - which grants you a 6 year licence which you need a Masters for in order to update it before your 6 years are up -- or to continue to take continuing credits....

In Michigan at least - Catholic schools are held to the same and/or higher standards than the public system regarding their teaching staff. In order to successfully run a Catholic - private school -- you need to draw parents to send their students to you and fund the school by their tuition. Parents will typically gravitate towards the schools with the highest certified teachers and high scores on tests. Of course this does not make the school necessarily better - yet it's the nature of the situation.

Most teaching orders that I am familiar with - are very conscious of their responsibility to provide the best education that they can provide for their students - seeing how they are charged with forming the next generation of Catholic leaders for our country. My experience has been that if anything - they require [u]more[/u] continued education and not less. Many Sisters continue to go to school their whole lives. Teaching during the year - summer school during the "break".

Edited September 2, 2012 by mantellata