Teachers in Kentucky benefit from the opportunity to increase both their knowledge base and their salary, by enrolling in courses to obtain their Rank I designation. Completion of 30 graduate hours beyond a Master’s degree will earn teachers in the state that accomplished title; many are willing, but the hectic lives and schedules faced by teachers can pose a barrier to attaining a Rank I.
That is where University of the Cumberlands (www.ucumberlands.edu) comes in, with its online Rank I program. University of the Cumberlands is located in a rural area of the state [ Williamsburg, Kentucky ] and has offered Rank I accreditation for years. A relatively limited number of educators could make it to the campus to take courses, though, while balancing their work time. Through development of online education programs with Learning House, Inc. (www.learninghouse.com), University of the Cumberlands can now aid teachers statewide.
“In Kentucky, Rank I is as high as the state recognizes for pay,” explained Dr. Gary Pate, Chair, Education Department, at University of the Cumberlands. “It provides a fairly substantial pay raise.” Even studying further to attain a doctoral degree will not advance a Kentucky educator’s salary more.
The program is popular, Dr. Pate said. He guessed that approximately one third of Kentucky’s teachers with 20 or more years of experience already have or are working towards a Rank I. It is also rigorous, he added, requiring at least 18 of the necessary 30 hours of study to be at the more intense 600 level courses.
“We offer Rank I in any specific discipline,” including special education, reading and administration, Dr. Pate said of University of the Cumberlands’ program. The University also enrolls teachers working toward certificates in administration, which they can complete at the same time as the Rank I.
From its small campus nestled in the beautiful green hills of Kentucky, University of the Cumberlands has found an important niche in distance learning: helping teachers across the state to increase their knowledge, salary and experience in the classroom.
To request more information about the Rank I program please visit www.elearnportal.com/cc or email elearn@ucumberlands.edu.
