I looked on their website, but I can't seem to find current info on costs. It says costs for the distance learning IT Masters program was $2100 AUD per course in 2007. Is it still the same? I'm considering enrolling starting in 2009. Are there other costs besides the individual course fees? I have an AA degree in business and an MCSE 2003, but I only have 4 of the 6 Microsoft courses Charles Sturt program transfers into their MCSE 2003 program. I also have more than 5 years IT experience, so I hope that's enough to be accepted without having to get a BA degree somewhere else first. I submitted an inquiry to find out if I would be accepted without completing a BA degree and should find out in one or 2 weeks. At this point I think I would rather start over and take all 6 of the new Server 2008 stream coures rather than take 2 more 2003 exams in a program that I wouldn't complete until 2010 and then need to update to 2008 then. If I completed Server 2008 certifications using the 6 exams that are transferrable to CSU over the next several months and enrolled in CSU sometime in 2009 (depending on how long it takes to complete the 6 exams), it looks like I would only need to take 6 more courses for a cost of $12,600 plus the cost of preparing for and completing the Microsoft exams. I think it may be worth it since I would be going directly from an Associates degree to a Masters.
I don't know that there's anyone on this forum currently attending CSU and so we may not be able to tell you anything about their costs at this moment. Since you seem to be in direct contact with the school perhaps you'll consider asking them this question.
I am a graduate of CSU in another faculty. I would be surprised if you have to do an undergrad degree when you have business experience in the area of IT. Masters degrees here without undergard degrees are not exceptional, especially if you can demonstate industry experience in the area you wish to study. The costs fluctuate so you may be better getting a quote from the uni. If you live in the US you will be aided by the drop in our dollar. About one month ago it was in excess of 90 cents in the US dollar. It is now 83 cents. This will work in your favour.
I recieved an e-mail response from them a few weeks ago and they did not exactly say I would NOT be accepted, but the work experience requirements made is sound somewhat doubtful that I would. They kept referring to needing "senior" experience for admission if you don't have a bachelor's degree. - 7 years I.T. experience for the Masters of Management (IT) or MBA (Computing) - 4 years senior experience for the other Masters programs The IT programs I'm interested in are "other." I suppose I could go ahead and officially apply to the CSU IT program and see what happens, but since I am only 21 units away from completing a BS in Liberal Studies at Excelsior, I'm leaning towards finding some exams I could take to get the remaining degree requirements out of the way in a few months and then applying to CSU sometime in 2009.
I received my first masters from CSU before I completed my BS in Liberal Studies with Excelsior College. I have since completed another degree, Masters(honours), with CSU and the BS wih Excelsior. With your industry experience and your transcript from Excelsior I am sure that you would get admitted to the Masters program. It is just a question which way gives you the best outcome for the dollar I guess.
I found out there is a way to get into the Masters program without an undergraduate degree if you have 4 years IT experience. This entrance method drops the requirement of the experience needing to be justified as being "senior" level. You can get into Charles Sturt University's graduate certificate program with 4 years of any IT work experience. You can complete that program and then you are automatically eligible to be admitted into the Masters program regardless of having any "senior" level employment history or not. You do not end up taking any extra courses since they can all transfer into a Masters program.
Our dollar is now around.70c US which should make this and other Australian universities much more affordable for overseas students.
