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I think the academics at USC Rossier are strong, but the online MA for Teaching Certification is absurdly expensive. I ended up transferring to another online program that was a fraction of the cost. Rossier blows up the tuition costs for no good reasons. The USC name has status, but teaching at the K-12 level is not directly tied to the status of the graduate institution attended and so it is not necessary to pay $90,000 when the teaching certification might be almost as good for just $5000. Rossier... Read More is engaging in highway robbery Ivory Tower-style.

Many are afraid or skeptical of attending an online degree program, however the University of Southern California (USC) provides all of the same benefits to online students as they would to students on campus. The same high quality teachers and instruction are provided. Instruction is conducted in a flipped classroom format where you complete your reading assignments and PowerPoint lecture before the live online session where you discuss what you have read. Teachers make themselves available through... Read More email or face-to-face office hours that are conducted in the online platform similar to Skype or Google Hangouts. The technology is easy to use, but if technical problems arise then USC technicians are available to help. Students also have access to other resources including the career center, writing advisors, and librarian help. The advancements in technology allow you to access these resources through online chat boxes, email, or webinars. The library can even ship books to your home upon request. I am currently in the Masters of Education program for Learning Design and Technology. This program is perfect for those working full-time since classes are conducted after work hours. Because the commute to school is cut out when attending online classes, I can usually stay at my work location to complete the live sessions. The Rossier School of Education teaches future teachers and they practice what they preach to ensure that every student learns. This includes using universal design principles, scaffoldings, providing work examples, and giving students specific feedback on their work. They are using research based instructional methods to provide the best education. I highly recommend attending USCs Rossier School of Education and encourage others to not shy away from the online format.

I have only just started this program and I am in love. The support system has been amazing from the very beginning during the application process. The biggest pro is that the program is now offered online. Even though I live in Southern California, I did not have to worry about moving. The online program is like being in the class on campus. It is very interactive and virtual. The program, like many graduate programs, did not offer much scholarships or grants. The program is one of the best in the... Read More country though, which made it very worth enrolling.

One serious flaw in the MAT program is that it assumes that all current students have taught, or are currently teaching in a classroom, and all the skills that go along with that experience. The students are expected to be familiar with classroom protocol, terminology, and the skills that make up day-to-day teaching (like making a lesson plan). This causes the students who are not teachers to feel left behind, and adversely affects their grades. The only other serious problem with the MAT program... Read More is that the instructors who write the syllabi are typically not the instructors who teach the class. As a result, the instructors are commonly confused about the assignments, and have trouble explaining their expectations to the students (who, as a result, are also confused). Having said that, the MAT program is great for people who are already working, but want a higher education degree from USC while living anywhere in the world because it's an online program. I typically take class with students from New York, Los Angeles and Korea simultaneously. This diversity of experience from the student body is a valuable and fascinating addition to our classrooms. There are multiple ways of getting the required reading materials: buy the reader at the bookstore, buy the reader online, or buy the links to the articles in the reader. Each option decreases in cost to accommodate your budget. When books are assigned, you can buy them online instead of from the USC bookstore to save cash. Professors are typically easy to reach and very responsive.

There are definitely more pros than cons with USC's Rossier's School of Education. I am currently a MAT online student (M.A Teaching) and I must say the quality of education is off the charts. The teachers and staff hold up high expectations and the learning that takes place is very challenging to say the least. This is not your typical online class where you can slack off and play catch up. The classes are virtual classrooms in which the teachers actually take attendance and may call on you to respond... Read More to the 100+ pages of reading that was assigned the week before. Overall: Love it! Highly recommened if you like to be challenged and thrive on intellectual stimulations. Oh! And the amount of student support is amazing. USC is a successful "family" because it is closely knit! Fight on Trojans! Cons: USC is pricey (but worth it). Location is sketchy. Classmates may be very competitive.

The pros of the MAT program at USC are that you are provided with professional and experienced teachers who actually know how to teach. They are available when you need to reach them. You can call them and they will answer (I had a professor who answered my call while she was at a McDonald's drive in). Although the program is ridiculously expensive (the greatest con of all), there are many support systems (online support groups, webinars etc) that will help you meet your highest potential and also... Read More help you look marketable in the career industry.