I got an asscociates degree in Equine Studies in 2000, been ranching ever since. I've been kicking around going back to school (online only) and getting a BA in History, Minor in Military History. If it works out right I could teach HS History if I wanted to. Just a thought. The financial end scares me, but I think it is a nice back up plan if I ever needed it. Anyone go back to school after a 20 yr hiatus?

My mom did. She loved it. She went to complete her degree to teach math. She was shocked at how liberal the political science professionals were. This was in the late 90’s. 

I say go for it, you got this

I have a BA in History with an emphasis in Canadian Military History. But to teach, I needed my B.Ed and I decided I really didn't love teaching so I am okay with just tutoring kids. But otherwise, my BA in History is pretty much useless. I have thought about getting a Masters in Security Policy or something like that but I am not entirely sure of landing a job in that field and the financial end scares me.

It would depend on the cost for me, student loans these days are crippling.

they are only crippling for people that borrow money for something that they should never have borrowed money for. 


If you can't get a secondary ed part time and pay for it, you probably don't need to be going to school. 

   I would disagree- as a veterinarian with $110,000 in student loans and some classmates with 300,000+, I still don’t consider my degree “something I never should have borrowed money for”.

    My monthly student loan payment is more than my mortgage, it’s quite depressing. 

This is 1980’s mentality. Obviously don’t know anyone enrolled in college.  Sadly, a college education is expensive these days. Never too late to go back to school. 

There are ways to minimize student loans. Go to a community college for all the gen Ed’s that you can and pay out of pocket. Then when you have to go to a university, pay books and fees oop. Only take out what you need for classes and pay the rest right back. Pay at least the unsubsidized interest but preferably a little more each month when you’re in school. Apply for as many scholarships as you can. That’s what I did for my BSN. I ended with about 20k in loans, whereas my classmates had over 35k. 

I work for a company that paid for my MSN as long as I work there for 5 years after completion of the program. I got another 27k degree for basically the cost of books and fees. 

I think this may be a stupid question, but I'm asking because I have no idea--does it cost the same for online as a "brick building" college?

this is '00's dumb azzery 

I paid for mine, and two kids. Not a penny of student loan debt to be found. 

From what I experienced, online or in person cost almost the same. 
I started in person but I ended up finishing my degree through the online program they offered. Was still really expensive. I regret that my parents forced me to go to college. I wish I would not have went and got myself into debt. But it is what it is and I have that expensive piece of paper that shows I can play the professors games long enough to get a grade and get out. 
Life threw me many curves while I was in school. Getting kicked out my 2nd semester. LONG personal story but lets just say my mother was looking for a reason to get me out of her everyday life. Having a stroke in 2012 at the age of 24. Having to retake all the classes I took that semester. Just life. I stuck it out and got my business degree but looking back on it, I should have never started to begin with. I wish I would have gotten a trade instead. 

Social Studies teacher, here.....

Don't do it.  I absolutely love my job, but I also have to have three other part time jobs in order to pay all of my bills.  I, too, wish that college wouldn't have been so "expected" of me.  I make $37,000/year, and can't do any of the fun stuff all of my friends my age with their $60k/year jobs get to do, and spend all of my time working so I get to go to only a few barrel races a year.  

If you are happy with your profession right now, stick with it.  Also, I applied at 107 school districts when I first got out of college, and got zero interviews (I was on the Dean's List, and worked in mental health with psych/social behavioral problem kids while I was in college, so it's not like my grades or job experience was the issue).  Most of the job descriptions for Social Studies were "Social Studies/Head Football Coach." The only reason I got my foot in the door to teach Social Studies was I went back to get my Master's in English language learners, and got a job teaching ELL, and then applied in the district for a Social Studies several years later job.

Not everyone has as much money as you.. 

I teach Social Scence as well. That is a very low salary! Where I teach our district starts new college grads at 47k. I have been around a while and make 110k a year. 

Dang...What area are you in?

I'm a Sped teacher and this is my 11th year teaching.  I have a couple of inside stipends for groups I'm in, but my actual salary is mid-upper 50K.  I'm right around 60ish with the stipends.  I'm in Iowa.

History isn't a huge area of need for teachers.  Math and Sped are REALLY in need.  Mostly because who wants to take college calculus and Trig and whatever other god-awful courses in math...lol!  Sped just has a huge burnout rate. I'm getting close to that I think. Ugh. 

But college is always an option. Check in with your college of choice, there might be some courses that would carry over for you degree so that would save you $$.  There are cheaper venues, usually undergraduate courses, and more expensive- graduate courses.  The good news is that many districts offer steps up on the payscale for graduate courses...hence my current paycheck. 

My mom went back and got her BS & MS while in her 50's.  Never used it afterward but a great thing to have just in case.  Education is never wasted.  

yeah, that's probably it

Hight school Foreing Language Teacher/ Business Teacher here!

Here is how I got mine...search for grants, scholarships etc!!!!  I did my masters in TESOL this way.  

I say do it as long as you can actually get a job using the degree. If not, it's a huge waste of money imo.