Looking for Masters based on prior......

Hello guys, how are you?
I dont know if you remember me, but this site helped me a few years ago with some questions I had about some distance learning institutions. Great site!!

The reason I am here is because I have a research question for you guys.
I have a fully regionally-accredited Bachelor's degree. I work as a Magistrate Judicial Officer for the Supreme Court in my state. Here is my situation: To pass the Magistrate Certification course, which I have, is equal to 1.5 years of Law School here in my state. My question to you is this: How can I find a reputable, not necessarily accredited, distance eduation school here in the US or Canada to award me a Master's Degree, primarily based on my accomplishments, prior learning, etc..?. Now, I realize there are not many solid distance learning schools that do this and if they are, they are most of the time a diploma mill, but do you know of any I could look into?

Basically, all I am looking for is recognition. It's not going to help me on the job at all unless I pursue a Doctorate, which I am not.
Thanks guys!!!

I really appreciate your help!!

 

Hi

If you are a Christian then you can enroll for a Masters degree in Communication from Louisiana Baptist University. LBU is not accredited but is well known for quality programmes. You may be able to transfer some credits into the Masters Programme. However there is no Masters degree completely based on Prior Learning Assesment. You will have to take some courses. You may find the School of Communication of LBU a good start. They require a Thesis of 25000 words based on a research topic which you will have to present for approval. If your requirement is a legitimate Masters degree, not accredited then LBU is good;

Regards

MyrrhMusic

 

MyrrMusic...thanks for the info. I spoke to Dr. Weaver by phone! Turns out, we know alot of the same people. Looks like a very well..non-accredited school. Did you take any classes there at the Master's level???

 

Hi

I have not taken MA level courses yet. I plan to study and enroll for an MA in the near future.

 

Here's the short answer: You can't. Such a program does not exist.

 

No serious school would offer graduate credit (much less an entire master's degree) for prior learning experience.

 

I think a degree from LBU is a bomb waiting to explod on you. Don't do it, you can get a degree from a DETC for the same price if you have to. LBU is millish to me. Most of their staff have degrees from LBU.

 

I realize that no repuatable school will do that, I understand. I just wanted to see if there was a reputable school that would at least allow so X number of Master's credits in for prior training/work experience!

Hmmmmm....what about a degree from NationsU?
I know they are not accredited, but are seeking accreditation from DETC!

What are your thoughts on that school??

 

It's a decent school, I go there myself. They only offer degrees in religious subjects.

 

The only masters program of which I am aware that will grant credit for prior learning assessment is at Thomas Edison State College.

 

Here is the link
Thomas Edison State College | Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
They allow 12 units in a learner designed area of study plus 6 units for the final project (equal to 50% of the program).

 

I know Thomas Edison is "accredited" and is supposed to be legitimate. However, how can a program that allows so many credits come from life experience (prior learning, whatever you'd like to call it) be considered a serious academic option?

 

Hi
Your opinion is false. My Mentor for music degree holds a Master Of Music from University of Lousiana at Monroe. I called up the Louisiana Board of Regents which regulates higher education in the State. They clearly told me it is a Legitimate school that operates within the Law of that State. LBU has to file a report annually with the Louisiana Board of regents with specific details of the School staff, programmes, Catalog, and Faculty. Yes they have an ingrown faculty but the ratio is fast Changing with new faculty with accredited degrees.

MyrrhMusic

 

Short answer - Because it is regionally accredited through an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

 

...and PLA does not equal "life experience credits" the way mills do it.

 

This isn't a PLA. Their LDA actually just allows you to pick your classes, nothing more. In other words, if you want to combine basket weaving with psychology and "design" a major called Basket Weaving Psychology, you can do so. You still have to take the courses from a regionally accredited school and transfer them in. I really don't think they allow even 1 course to be through PLA.

I think the poster misunderstood the degree.

Exactly, a PLA requires that you prove your learning meets the course outcomes/competencies of a specific curriculum. You assemble supporting documents to prove you have met each competency, and then your attempt is evaluated. FWIW, these are a huge amount of work. Also, these are undergrad credits.
Life experience credits are a magic wand for those who send $.


So, I don't fully understand the law school thing, but you are saying you earned an equivalent to 1.5 years of law school by passing an exam? Ok, so whoever awarded that "credit" is probably the best source for letting you know where you can use it toward a certificate or degree.

The TESC option, PERHAPS is worth considering in that TESC does accept exam competency for undergraduate credit- it's worth asking them if they award any amount of graduate credit for this exam. Perhaps they do, and in that case, you might be able to use a portion toward the LDAS that they offer.

 

This is where TESC accepts portfolio credit towards their MLS:
"Develop a graduate-level Prior Learning Assessment portfolio, demonstrating the graduate-level knowledge you’ve acquired in work, training, or other programs "
Thomas Edison State College | Learner-Designed Areas of Study

 

Their DETC status is still a mystery. Also judging from their curriculum for the MRS and MDiv, they seem to involve as much work as any accredited schools.

 

Where is the 12 credits and the 6 additional you posted earlier? I don't see that anywhere in there for the PLA. Even for undergraduate, trying to get PLA through is next to impossible without serious experience far beyond what a course will give you in the subject.

 

Correct, there is no credit for "life experience", legit, bogus, or otherwise. They also do not accept any credits in transfer from non-accredited universities.