Online Master's Degrees

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 10:41am

What is the concensus on an online degree? Has anyone gotten one? I know in many cases, the degree says the name of the university, but not that it was completed online.

It seems like a great way to work on a degree while keeping your day job and/or auditioning, since you log on whenever you want.

My concern is how seriously they are taken in the marketplace.

Anyone?

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 11:10am

My sister is a teacher and she has been working on her degree from the University of Phoenix. She likes it and for her it does not matter where she gets the degree to get the pay increase.

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 11:11am

Thank you!

I'm looking at an MA in International Affairs/Diplomacy.

There's so much waiting around in the acting profession, that I'm getting anxious to be working on something else.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 11:13am

CHeno, I'm looking at grad school (again) but I am sort of leery of going for an online degree...not to mention that I'm not even sure they'd offer what I want.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 11:25am

I completed both of my masters degrees while working full-time and I now teach graduate programs at night. I highly recommend traditional degree programs. There is much more to be learned and experienced through in-class interaction with professors and peers. That's not to say that you can't also take a few courses on-line as using both methods is often allowable in many degree programs.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 11:28am

As long as you check the accreditation etc. of the school the degree itself should be alright for most things. International Affairs/Diplomacy though is a pretty tough specialized feild that I can not imagine being done properly without one on one interaction. It is a huge thing up here and I have been to a few classes in that, I'm thinking of getting an MA with my MDIV, they would not work online. I also believe most major organizations that hire for those feilds would shy away from online degrees. They seem best suited for the basics (ie. liturature, history) and science courses.

bway- Where are you thinking of hitting the grad school rolls? I must say I am very glad I went back.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 11:31am

university of phoenix is well thought of but i found them to be v. expensive by comparison.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 12:30pm

I'm sure plenty of schools offer part-time study options. It's not uncommon at all for grad students to be employed at the same time, and not just as professor's assistants. :)

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 1:09pm

I have a MA in International Affairs. I don't think an online course study is appropriate for this field of study. Its really important that you interact personally with high level practitioners in this field during your course work. This can only come from a well-respected institution with teachers that are well connected with such professionals. In this field of study, its also important that you do internships, or have some practical experience while going to school. Unless you already work in the field, an online course will not give you this kind of access. Many times internships are found through school or professors. Its really the only way to get a good start on a career in the field and build up credentials. Practical work in the non-profit and public realms are desirable. I have many friends that have this degree and did not do internships as part of their curriculum and have yet to find jobs even 2 years after getting the degree. You will be competing with people who went to universities, interacted face to face with professionals in the field, while doing 3-4 internships both in the public and private sectors. It can get pretty competitive after graduation like most specialized fields.

On the other hand, if you want to do this as learning for learning's sake, I say go for it. But if you want a career in this specialized field, don't pursue this option.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 1:17pm

See, my problem here (and maybe some of you - SOMMS? - can help) is that I don't want a third degree. I have a BA and an MFA. All I want is to complete my courses to satisfy prerequisites to take my single subject education certification (in English).

My old undergrad does this. No one I've seen in NYC seems to offer this but is it something I can just speak to them about doing? I mean, satisfying the education requirements and getting the student teaching done would really be easier to work around full-time work as opposed to, say, getting a master's degree (again, I don't need or want another one).

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 1:25pm

Singer, call the New York State Department of Education in Albany and ask for someone who can give you information on getting a teaching certificate through the "alternate route". They will be able to tell you what course work you will need. Many courses from your undergrad and grad degrees MAY fufill the teacher certification requirements. You can just take grad courses without going for a terminal degree.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 1:39pm

SOMMS: You.rock.my.world.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 2:05pm

Ooh! That's different. I know someone whose old Israeli undergrad degree and MLS helped her get credit for a New Jersey teaching certification. And she was working at the time, too. So it's doable. :)

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 2:15pm

Well, as this is something I know some schools offer, I'm a little relieved to find out it might be possible for me here.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 3:23pm

I know exactly how to do that in North Carolina Bway, but I have been too busy with school and work full time to even think about teaching again here. Good luck to you with it, I'm sure the info is out there itching to be scratched up the surface. (stupid attempt to keep the metaphor alive was bad, I should have nixed it)

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 3:27pm

Thanks for all the input, guys. I think I'm leaning towards a part-time university program, so I can work. If I want to supplement that afterwards, I'll do an online course, maybe an MBA or such.

Bwaysinger- good luck!

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 3:27pm

The attempt is appreciated, Pengy.
I'm sure it's possible, I guess I just expected the information to be closer to the surface. God knows you don't get much help if you call a school's admin and bless you if you think you're going to get a program coordinator or department head on the phone. We'll see!

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 3:38pm

Here is a link, you may have seen it but it has great info
teach now-ny

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 3:45pm

Pengy,
Thanks! I'm so glad you're back. I actually just fired off an e-mail to the contact listed on that page. I'd heard of the alternative route (there's ways to actually being teaching since I already have a masters - with supervision - provisionally) and now it seems I can apply for this track.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 3:51pm

Always glad to be of assistance.
It is good to be back.
I hope you find the right contact, we need some good teachers and from my interpretation of your thoughts on here, I think you would be teriffic.
The alternative track was the most appealing to me, because it allows you to actually get started right away, and I'm a bit compulsive that way
Its always fun to chat Bway!

Cheno a part time program seems like the best plan. Good luck to you! Other Cheno is also into international affairs? why are so many Chenowith fans concentrating in one area? Is she about to lauch her World Domination plot?

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 3:54pm

Pengy, I think you just hit on something. Cheno is indeed plotting a vicious coup.

Thanks for the kind words.

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 3:55pm

Haha, yeah I noticed that too.

Part-time is good, so i can continue to audition and take a hiatus if i get a nat'l tour or something.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 4:04pm

Audition, schmaudition. I subscribe to the Robbiej school of getting cast: you work that street hard enough, the producers will hire ya.