I want to bang my head against the wall - seriously.

So there are just a ton of universities in the Triangle area of NC and guess what, I can't find what I want.

Does your child have special needs? Well it seems that the big universities of NC State, UNC, and Duke don't think your childs educational needs is a big deal. None that's right none have a k-12 special ed undergraduate degree, and you have to basically hope after 1 class of special eduation related course in a general ed degree, that you pick the right masters program to go into.

There are two local schools that have the program I want, one has an average ACT score of 16, I didn't even know a college could have such an low - AVERAGE, score. The other, the program is new of this year and only has 20 students in the whole class :banghead: I worry going to this school will not be a good idea, but maybe it'll get a good reputation....

So the only somewhat close school is over an hour from where I live, and I guess I hope DH gets employeed at the University that his residency is at so we can move, and I can commute to that school which will be 30 miles away. I seriously can't believe this. The deans at all the big colleges basically sorry come back for a masters. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

This is a total vent, and I'm fuming as we speak. To put this in perspective there are at least 4 schools in St. Louis with the EXACT degree I want, all excellent schools.

I swear following DH for medicine is putting wrinkles in my face - perminately.

[DCJenn]

Julie-

I'm sorry- and we need special education teachers- but you're right- in fact I never even knew you could get a Bachelor's level degree in Special Ed as 100% of the programs that I'm familiar with are Master's programs.

I got my Master's in counseling education but never have used it. (I use the letters next to my name I just never worked in a school)

Jenn

[Vanquisher]

Julie, I know how frustrating that must be. I *think* that a lot of the jobs you would be looking at with that degree require a Mater's degree. Of course it is variable, but you will never be out of a job for having a Master's where a Bachelor's was required. I know it's a longer road, but maybe you should go for the Master's?

Well that in fact is the plan. But I want exposure in undergrad to help me know what masters program I want, some are comprehensive and some are specific: Behaviorally-Emotionally Handicapped • Learning Disabilities
• Mild-Moderate Mental Retardation

Also if I wanted to add an emphasis to my masters if I went with a general program (which is more popular) then I wouldn't know what that would be because prior to the masters I would have little exposure. I'm gonna be to old when I gradaute (mid 30's) to figure out I wanted to go a different route and go back for more classes.

Another major frustration is that UNC Charlotte, UNC Pembrook and UNC Greensboro all have the program I want, just not UNC Chapil Hill - they got rid of theirs. Go figure.

I mean it's not a total bust, but either we move after residency and I commute, I go with a new program, or I get a general ed degree and only do a masters in special ed. I knew this already but thought maybe just maybe UNC or NC State could work with me to give me some exposure - today I found out they don't do that.

[Deebs]

Julie,
If you did your undergrad in a more general program, could you "focus" your student teacher experiences to get the variety of experience in special ed? Honestly, I don't have a clue, but if you could, maybe that is another way to get you exposure before you commit to a masters program that you're unsure of.

Julie, if you can pull out of the house purchase and get one in Chapel Hill, you'll only be like 40 mins, if that, from UNCG. I know it's a stretch but just saying....

We can't afford a big enough place in Chapel Hill. We looked, and if the sq ft was there, it didn't have enough storage which meant x $$ to get a storage unit. But actually there was only 1 place in our pricerange there and it went up under contract before we got in town.

Julie,
If you did your undergrad in a more general program, could you "focus" your student teacher experiences to get the variety of experience in special ed? Honestly, I don't have a clue, but if you could, maybe that is another way to get you exposure before you commit to a masters program that you're unsure of.

That's what I was asking of the Deans, the answer was they don't do that and there is very little exposure in their undergrad programs. What bums me out is now we have this so cute house, unless I feel comfortable with the college that has the new program, we will have to plan to move after residency, and I really want the option to stay a little longer, enjoy the work we do on the house, and to save some money after residency before buying a bigger house.

It's not impossible, just not the road I wanted, and am crabby about it. :waiting: What burns me is I bet if I wanted an interior design degree I'd find plenty, and no offense to interior designers, but they are hardly changing the world one color pallet at a time. Clearly I'm in a bad mood

we will have to plan to move after residency, and I really want the option to stay a little longer, enjoy the work we do on the house, and to save some money after residency before buying a bigger house.

It would be nice to have that option - but try not to get too upset about it now. Chances are you guys would have probably moved after residency anyway - for his job. Of all of my residency friends (there was a group of about 10 of us who were pretty close) 9 moved for a job. 3 of them had planned to move all along, but the rest just ended up moving for the best opportunity.

Obviously depends a LOT on what his specialty is as far as what jobs will be in the area, but I just wanted to try to ease your frustration at this particular situation. There will be so much more to be irritated about later.

There will be so much more to be irritated about later.

You sure know how to build a girl up I'm just a person who likes to be settled, we've had 5 apts in 8 years of marriage, now on our 6th move, I just hate the idea of mentally saying we have to move in another 3 years. For EM the job market is awesome in the triangle area - a major pull for residnents. A 2nd year resident from DH's school said it was much better than STL for EM. Of course that doesn't mean anything... but sometimes I like to hide my head in the sand a pretend I don't hear anything other than I want ....

Glad to help where I can. I guess what I've learned on this crazy-twisted-mother-of-a-path is never get too attached to a particular plan. It only causes uch:

[Flynn]

Glad to help where I can. I guess what I've learned on this crazy-twisted-mother-of-a-path is never get too attached to a particular plan. It only causes uch:

I cannot agree more.
Nothing is for sure in medicine other than it's unpredictable.
Expectations = heartache (more often than not)

Glad to help where I can. I guess what I've learned on this crazy-twisted-mother-of-a-path is never get too attached to a particular plan. It only causes uch:

I cannot agree more.
Nothing is for sure in medicine other than it's unpredictable.
Expectations = heartache (more often than not)

I know... I just want things to go my way, that's all

[Flynn]

Glad to help where I can. I guess what I've learned on this crazy-twisted-mother-of-a-path is never get too attached to a particular plan. It only causes uch:

I cannot agree more.
Nothing is for sure in medicine other than it's unpredictable.
Expectations = heartache (more often than not)

I know... I just want things to go my way, that's all

ABSOLUTELY normal!!!! The sacrifices add up eventually no matter HOW giving you are. You're human right? Don't beat yourself up about it.

Believe it or not I was Miss Supportive Wifey until our PGY 6 year and then I just cracked. I started wanting a few things for myself after the birth of our first child. I needed some time to NOT have the world (and all the household responsibilities) on my shoulders. It didn't help that DH was working 80 hours and every fourth night I was being woken up by DD (as an infant) AND four to ten pages from DH's lovely beeper.

It was really hard to look at my situation and say "yeah, that's not going to happen for YEARS!!!" I have to hold on and NOT have my needs met FOR YEARS!!! Who has that kind of patience????

The good news is post training life for me and my family is good. Does that justify being the ROCK and not getting much help from DH during training? Nope. But it does feel good to know that my needs matter now. They always did, the system (residency) just doesn't allow for a marriage based on teamwork...

Hang in there. Things have a way of working out. Special Ed. teachers are SO VALUABLE. You'll get there.

But it does feel good to know that my needs matter now. They always did, the system (residency) just doesn't allow for a marriage based on teamwork...

This is how I feel DH is very supportive - medicine is not[/code]

[kaseymarie]

I would look more into the small, new college. I am a special education teacher. I graduated in December with a degree in special education and elementary education. In my experience, smaller colleges have more of a one-on-one focus in education. I have several friends who are in the education programs at large universities and are not even in classrooms until their 3rd year. I was in classrooms my first year and am very thankful for it. The best way to learn in special education is by being in the classroom. There are so many tips and ideas you don't learn about until you are in classrooms working with the kids! Hope this helps .