masters by portfolio?

I was looking at doing a bachelors degree by portfolio with TESC which looks like a good idea if I can meet the humanities requirements. However I am also looking at doing a masters by DL probably in the UK so that I can turn up for practical assessments and labwork. On doing a search on the internet I came accross professional masters degrees at IIT. The Masters in Analytical Chemistry would be a walkover for me based on experience. Rather than take 2 1/2 years learning things I already know to get the degree, does anyone know of anywhere that would allow TESCesqe challenge by portfolio for a masters degree?

 

Re: Re: masters by portfolio?

The Prescott MA comes close in that a learning contract is used.
http://www.prescott.edu/map/mapprocess.html

 

Nothing that you would want your name associated with. I have never heard of such a thing from a legitimate school.

 

Nothing that you would want your name associated with. I have never heard of such a thing from a legitimate school.

 

Not applicable to the specific discipline you detail, but perhaps of interest to others, the regionally accredited Western Governors University (WGU) awards all of its degrees based entirely upon demonstration of competencies.

It addition to several bachelor degrees, they offer a master of Arts degree in Learning and Technology. The degree is earned by a combination of tests (written and one oral), and portfolio submissions (as in a project submission - a reworked TESC-like portfolio, perhaps?).

There is no requirement that you attend any courses or otherwise enter into any specific learning agreement. There is no requirement for any new learning. All that is assessed are the outcomes.

There are recommended courses provided by third party institutions that "map" to the master's degree, and these may be helpful to many. However, if you come pre-loaded with the requisite skill set (already possess all of the required competencies), all you need do is demonstrate that it is so, by passing the (if I recall) six sets of competency assessments.

Would it be possible to complete the degree entirely by way of prior learning, and if needs be, supplementary independent study? I think it likely.

Lawrie Miller, who was the first WGU grad student ever to take the university's master's competency exam.

 

Re: Re: masters by portfolio?

I think WGU has an identity crisis. Their information appears to be almost in mystical terms.

They do not say do "A" followed by "B" then "C" and you are awarded a degree.

Because they do not seem to have a plan for success that defines competencies, could it only be a matter of time until they disappear as irrelevant? Someone must have deep pockets.

There is nothing on the WGU website that would provide confidence to prospective students.

 

WGU tries to tailor its programs to each individual, thus the use of mentors. Your assigned mentor will guide you through the program to complete the required assessments, written assignments and projects. These requirements are definitely static, but if you lack competency, you will definitely have to spend some time in class. In my case, I did not need any classes, but did purchase some books in preparation for each and every assessment. I have almost completed the BS-CIS program at WGU, and my experience has had more positives than negatives. All I can say is, it was the best program for a busy father/full-time employee, like yours truly. My advice for anyone interested in WGU is to make sure that you are *competent* in your targeted area of study before enrolling, after all, it is a competency based university. Also remember: a mentor is a guide, not a professor (sounds like something out of the Matrix).
WGU is certainly going through growing pains, as I understand their enrollment numbers have exploded in the past year.
For obviously selfish reasons, I hope WGU remains relevant.

Best regards,
DS

 

Re: Re: masters by portfolio?

Do they have doctorals in this way? Thanks!

 

dave750gixer

Do a Yahoo / Google search in the UK, type in 'work based learning'. There are quite a few accredited University / University Colleges that offer Bachelor, Masters and Doctorates in this manner. Not all will be able to offer the Degree of your choice or RPL / PLA, they may not offer Analytical Chemistry. The nature of course delivery in the UK seems to depend on the on the course, institution, etc... fortunately WBL is mostly DL. If you live in the UK you will be familiar with NVQ, work based learning appears to be similar (obviously depending on the course).

I have been in contact with Portsmouth University, they offer BSc in Engineering Studies via WBL. Although I (believe) cannot get CEng or IEng registration with the degree, it will help my career. However most UK Universities do not have detailed website descriptions on course delivery, so contact them and request an information pack.

However - check to make sure the University is accredited / Chartered etc...

 

I finally talked to WGU at length on Monday after repeated calls. It did seem like a mystical journey. My problem is that since you can't tell up front what they will want (generalities are not good gages) , you can't really determine what the degree will take to complete and you can't determine the time needed therefore you can't determine the cost of the program. I really did try to determine if I could get a degree in business in 12 months or 18 months. They just couldn't tell me, they said it depended on me. But I felt it depended on them, since they were deciding what they wanted and couldn't really tell me. At something like 6,000 per year, I needed some kind of commitment from them, even if just a ballpark. I worried that my guide would not respond in a timely manner since just talking to a live human being took about 6 weeks worth of messages.

I don't doubt they are legit and are probably a good route for some. But without more concrete answers, I passed. It was all to mysterious for me.

Another thing I didn't like was that they have nothing in writing to send you to look at. Everything is on their website. I found that odd.

 

Their web suite seems to indicate a BS cost is $15,000 per year.