Extended Teacher Education Programs: Is the Bandwagon Losing Its Momentum?

Overview & Synopsis

This study was conducted to assess the current situation regarding extended teacher education programs, to examine the extent to which the type of institution affects the type of teacher education program it offers, and to discover the types of degree offered at the completion of extended teacher education programs. The 664 U.S. institutions offering graduate programs in education were surveyed and institutional catalogues reviewed to determine trends regarding these programs. A total of 407 questionnaires were returned. Results suggest that: (1) the four-year baccalaureate is still overwhelmingly the most common degree for entry into the teaching profession; (2) special education is more likely than elementary or secondary education to require extended programs; (3) institutions that offer extended programs most commonly award master's degrees at the completion of such programs; and (4) research and doctorate granting universities are more likely to offer extended programs than are comprehensive and liberal arts institutions. Implications for future research include a call for a national dialogue to strengthen the teaching profession by building a stronger consensus with respect to the nature of teacher education programs. (Author/LL)