Regional Teacher Preparation Program Adds Master’s Degree, Opportunity Enriches Future Teachers

WACO, Texas – Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 has been offering a teacher preparation program for certification for nearly 20 years. Now, the program is helping its students not only advance their careers, but their education as well. Students can earn their Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Louisiana College while attending the ESC Region 12 program in Waco or Nolanville.

“I plan on eventually getting a principal’s certification and a master’s is required,” Amy Haga, a student currently enrolled in the program, said. “The master’s program offered through Louisiana College expedited the time it would take for me to earn my master’s, and it was a no-brainer. There’s no reason not to get your master’s with the program they have.”

Thirty-six students are enrolled in the program and working on their MAT while simultaneously preparing for their teaching certificate. This degree can allow individuals to improve skills to work with students more effectively and potentially earn a higher salary.

“I chose ESC Region 12 over other places for their reputation of being the best around, and I wanted to have a top academic experience,” Haga said.

ESC Region 12 strives to assist school districts in many areas, one of which is recruiting and retaining staff.

“Helping prospective teachers earn a master’s degree is a win-win situation. It’s a win for the prospective teachers, but it’s also a win for the schools that will hire highly educated individuals to teach their students,” Jerry Maze, ESC Region 12 executive director, said.

The MAT degree requires 33 hours of credit. Louisiana College and ESC Region 12 have articulated their respective curricula in such a way that the graduate student’s work in the ESC Region 12 program is recognized and credited by Louisiana College. It also allows for considerable grant funding for tuition that does not have to be paid back. This process allows students to complete their MAT concurrently with their teacher preparation program, which is highly cost- and time-effective.

To apply to the program, ESC Region 12 must first accept individuals into TPCP. They can then apply for the master’s program through Louisiana College. The GRE is not required for admission, but it must be taken before students enroll in their 22nd hour of credit.

The next free information session for this program will be Thursday, January 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at ESC Region 12 in Waco. Please join us to learn more about how you can begin earning your master's and becoming a teacher in 2013!

For more information about the program, visit www.esc12.net/teacherprep or call 254.297.1191.

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About ESC Region 12
One of 20 regional education service centers statewide, Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 is dedicated to serving school districts, charter schools and area private/parochial schools in improving student performance. ESC Region 12 partners with school districts to deliver services and solutions to educators so they may help all children be successful.

Based in Waco, with satellite offices in Corsicana, Hamilton, Nolanville and Teague, ESC Region 12’s service area includes Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, McLennan, Mills and Navarro Counties.