Thoughts on Goddard?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by kittymaroo, Apr 23, 2005.

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  1. kittymaroo

    kittymaroo New Member

    I'm considering returning to college- I have 2.5 years of credits in Theater Arts from Boston University & Univ of S. Florida (between '86 & '90). Due to the conservatory nature of BU's Theater program where most of my credits are from, nearly all of the credits are in that field and not core curriculum, thus transferring to a 'traditional' college proves problematic.

    I am basically missing my core, but meeting most of the requirements for a Theater major. I've continued working in the arts creating multidisciplinary works with music, movement, and text, and creating music for contemporary dance.

    I'd like to finish my degree, and I am also interested in doing graduate studies in the arts. I plan to see an advisor here at Univ of Houston I'm in TX) to see what hoops I need to jump through to complete my BA there. In looking at low residency degrees, I found Goddard to be really interesting. I'm very self-motivated, have completed many, many, projects on my own, yadda, yadda, yadda. It is my understanding that Goddard had/has financial difficulties, and I am concerned that their doors will snap shut in the middle of my degree, leaving me high and dry. In addition, I'm concerned about the validity of a Goddard degree.

    Is anyone here enrolled at Goddard, or graduated from there recently? What is the quality of instruction, and how are Goddard degrees viewed by grad schools?

    Thanks-
    Misha
     
  2. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    When I was a kid (my H.S. graduation was 1972) Goddard had a solid reputation academically and otherwise was seen as an expensive liberal arts school for kids who were not exactly mainstream. What I mean by this is that they were 1970s Hippies who were 1) smart 2) had some bucks 3) not interested in becoming accountants (although I've always suspected that many eventually became lawyers). The school was known for its fine arts programs (studio and performance) but you had to have good scores to get in.

    What is the reputation now? I'm guessing it's not much different. I don't know about their "financial difficulties" and I'd suggest that you not listen to rumors in that regard. Get the facts.

    Overall I'd say it's a very good school. If I had my Bachelors from Goddard I'd not feel limited in any way. On the other hand, it's rather expensive. If you've got the money then I'd say, "Bon voyage." If the price tag is bothersome then you might look at Mary Baldwin College (also not cheap). Beyond that I believe that you must go abroad for a Theatre Arts degree through DL. There are a few in Australia (Charles Sturt, UNE, Melbourne) but otherwise I regret to inform you that there's not much left (of which I'm aware).
    Good luck,
    Jack
     
  3. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Thomas Edison State College www.tesc.edu
    Queens University at Kingston www.queensu.ca/pts
     
  4. boydston

    boydston New Member

    I have a friend who finished a Goddard BA last year. He had already been at two schools in the Cal State system so he had quite a bit under his belt. He loved the Goddard program, the attention, and the challenge. But they worked his tail off. In spite of the flexibility it is not a school for slackers.
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Goddard was a pioneer in person-centered higher education. Small, liberal, sometimes troubled financially.

    My core professor at Union was also on faculty at Goddard. He loved teaching for them.
     
  6. alarmingidea

    alarmingidea New Member

    I have a friend who is a librarian at the University of Massachusetts. In addition to her library degree, she holds an MA from Goddard. She once got a sabbatical from the university to conduct research in England on the subject of her Goddard thesis. (Librarians at UMass are considered faculty.)

    I can't speak to any other issues, or to the undergrad program (which I once considered), but UMass clearly regards the Goddard master's quite highly.
     

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