Masters Degree dilemma...

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by nobycane, Aug 7, 2004.

Loading...
  1. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    Hello all.....I am back, and facing a tough dilemma, regarding a Masters Degree and what is best for my ultimate career.

    This is my situation...I am a High School Science Teacher (Earth & Physical Sciences).

    I need to (by Florida Dept Of Edu) fulfill so many hours of education prep courses (or time devoted to) to meet the requirments of obtaining my "professional teachers certification" in Earth/Space Sciences".

    Well, according to their plan...I have 2-3 years to take a General & Subject Area tests, and need to spend a year taking these so-called teacher prep courses (since I don't have an education degree - just a regular BS).

    Well, I was preparing to start my graduate degree in the Winter at Emporia State Univiserity for a Master Science in Earth Sciences.

    But with all this other stuff for my "certification"...I can't see how I can start a graduate program and do all this certification stuff at the same time.

    Well........I found a loop-hole which will work.

    There is a university in Montana; University of Montana-Bozeman, that offers a Master of Science in Science Education (with your choice of science concentration).

    I discovered that I can begin this program and finish this Masters program with the outcome of a Masters degree and a "professional teacher certification" in Montana.
    * Which will transfer over into Florida *

    Which is good.....I am killing two birds with one stone.

    But I am confused, that I am giving up the Masters program I really want to do...in order to get out of all the bullcrap that involves with certification.

    My thing is, I hate to waste time fulfilling requirments and taking courses that will not benefit me academically, and not result toqrds a degree.

    I cannot figure out what to do?

    Any suggestions......

    Thanks
    Jay
     
  2. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Do the one listed above!!!
     
  3. Mike Albrecht

    Mike Albrecht New Member

    Minor correction it is Montana State University - Bozeman, the University of Montana is in Missoula.

    Question: Do you want to keep your job?

    If the answer is yes, then I would suggest taking the route that comes closest to meeting your that goal and your other desires.

    If no, then no problem.
     
  4. DebTormey

    DebTormey New Member

    Can't you just choose "earth sciences" as your science concentration in the Montana program?
     
  5. spmoran

    spmoran Member

    Well, being a strong proponent of killing two birds with one stone, I would choose the route that allows this. We never get back our time, and we lose it at a precise and steady rate.

    That is precisely why I am looking at Excelsior rather than a state school one mile away from me. I can transfer my lower level state required courses for my Washington State chemical dependency certification, and then spend one more year finishing my BS with Excelsior, as opposed to spending two more years doing things "the right" way.

    The exception for me would be whether this option would hold me back in my future. If the grad degree from Montana would be looked down upon or otherwise inhibit my ability to advance in my career, then I would choose option 'A'.

    Sean
     
  6. nobycane

    nobycane New Member


    Yes.....I can choose "earth sciences" as the concentration at this program.

    I am having a difficult time making a decision on this.
     
  7. nobycane

    nobycane New Member


    Well, yes.....I want to keep my job.

    The thing is, I feel like that by "giving in" into choosing the Montana's Master Science in Science Edu degree program, that I am not really furthering my education that I originally wanted to.

    Montana's program is a great program...I have done the research on them.
    Sure it will satisfy the teacher certification requirments, and I get a Masters degree too...and I understand that meeting certain requirements for my certification in my state and to keep my job is important too.

    But, part of me says take the easy way out.....and go with Montana's Master Science in Science Edu program, with the end result of a graduate degree & a (transferrable) professional teachers certification.

    However, the other part of me says that why go that route, when you should be enrolling into a regular Masters program, with the end result of a Masters of Science in Earth Science.

    If I choose to concentrate on fulfilling DOE's cert. requirements, I don't want to have to wait 2-3 years after that to start on the Masters program I really had originally wanted to do.

    Plus, I feel waiting too long after finishing my undergraduate degree (like 2-3) it will be a lot harder to get back into the swing of things.....you know?
     
  8. Mike Albrecht

    Mike Albrecht New Member

    The Montana State program is a REAL masters program, especially if you do the thesis reoute.

    And who says this has to be the end of your education, there are higher level degrees, I know I am in one at the ege of 55 (as of a couple of weeks ago (55, I have been in the program almost 2 years (less about 3 weeks)).
     
  9. DebTormey

    DebTormey New Member

    nobycane,

    I think I have the picture now. You don't think of the Montana Master's in education as a "real" Master's since it will not move knowledge of your subject forward, right? so you feel you are abandoning your field?

    My advice is to stay true to your profession which is teaching...get the Montana masters...you really have to anyway since you want to keep your job...just be glad you can do it in a science context. That seems to be the blessing here.

    Mike is right about the time factor. It may seem like 2 or 3 years is a long time but, the older we get, the more we realize there is plenty of time (and, at the same time, not nearly enough of it). You will be able to get back to your first love before you know it. Whatever you decide, good luck with it.


    (Happy Birthday, Mike)
     
  10. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    Yes.....that is exactly what I am going through.
    I feel like that I am abandoning my field of potential research...for a MS Sci Edu.
    Yes teahing is my profession, and I want to do whatever I can to fulfill requriements and certification so I can continue teaching. But a long-term goal is to eventually teach Community College (with a Masters in my field).

    But I guess I can finish this Master Science in Science Education first....to get all the mumbo-jumbo stuff out of the way.
    Which will bless me with not only a Master Degree in my science concentration and a professional teaching certificate.

    Then go back and get the actual Masters degree directly in my field that I truly want.....instead of going for a Ph.D.
    Which may work.....

    Thanks for all the input everyone.....I really appreciate it!!

    Cheers!
    Jay
     
  11. Mike Albrecht

    Mike Albrecht New Member

    The course work for most PhD's is very similar to the course work for a Masters, usually with the addition of some advanced research courses.

    Also the PhD is more salable for acadamia then a Masters, even at the CC/JC level.

    Do the Montana State program, then look at: http://www.es.ucl.ac.uk/
     
  12. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Jay,

    you are receiving sound advice from these folks. I am having to backtrack and complete some additional Masters requirements. Teaching (at the college level) normally requires 18 graduate hours in the field. What I have done is find all the masters programs that will allow transfer creditswithin my field and what I have to do to work the transfer. In so doing I have maintained a dialog with several universities and have found that with some quality dialog you can cut down on excessive duplication. Additionally, does Montana Stae offer some classes that you can add to your program? My only recommendation to that which has already been posted is to get a feel for the transfer of the Montana State credits to the masters degree you aspire to add to your resume. Getting the next school in the loop early will make your life easier later on.
     
  13. obecve

    obecve New Member

    I think you will find that you can teach at the community college with the education degree and emphasis is sicience. The question is: are you a teacher or scientist? If you are a teacher you need the education degree with the science support. If you are a scientist then the other degree is fine. In the end, you can make the education degree work at several levels. Also in the end, it ultimately does not matter where the degree comes from...only that it meets your needs.
     

Share This Page