Looking for opinions

As I am waiting for my final exams to be sent to my proctoring location. I am beginning to question not my choice of schools for my degree but whether or not I should look into other schools that do not require distance learning students to go to a proctoring location. I love the school I am currently attending, but have found another school, University of Alabama, that has my proposed degree in an online program that does not require students to go to a proctoring location.

Even though I haven't had to take but only one mid term, in order to take my finals in three classes, I will have to take a vacation day from work and take all three finals in one day. Being a working mother of 5 children, I usually reserve my vacation days for the times when I have to attend functions at school for them or just so that I can take a vacation with them.

I just don't know what to do. I will take the finals at the current school I am attending, and since I won't be able to start with another school until the Spring of 2006, I will probably take another 12 hours at my current school, so I do not lose any time. My question is...should I continue with my current school that I have to go a proctoring location or try the online degree course at the University of Alabama that has online exams? Thanks for any assistance anyone can provide.

 

Since you like the school you are currently attending perhaps you could ask your employer to adjust your work schedule to accommodate travel to the proctoring site. If your degree is in an area that might benefit your employer I cannot see them not helping you.

 

If you're not too far into your current program, and you're already finding it difficult to adjust your work schedule, it seems like a good idea to switch to a program that suits your needs. There's nothing wrong with changing if it suits your needs. Anyway, the University of Alabama has it all: great name recognition, great tradition, always a team to cheer for, and a program that you need.

 

ybe you could work out a proctoring location

Some schools will let you locate a new proctor if you can find one that meets their requirements. Maybe you can find one that will work around your schedule. I would check with your current school.

 

It's just temporary, 'til you get the degree. It's not like it will become a permanent lifestyle change. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic, but just suck it up and do what needs to be done to get the degree, and then it'll never be a problem again.

Boy, I know that sounds cold... and I don't mean for it to. But, honestly, expecting there to be no inconveniences when getting a degree is kinda' unrealistic. Someone going to a brick & mortar school -- who has to be in class at a certain time every other day... maybe even driving 30 miles or more to get from his/her rural home to the community college at the other end of the county -- would need to stop laughing first before s/he could even respond to your questions. S/he'd think about how all the further you travel to class is from your living room to the den; and how you can do it in your bath robe. That you are occasionally (though, by your own admission, rarely) inconvenienced to go to a test center would likely bring him/her delight.

Keep things in perspective.

(There I go again... making new enemies.)

 

I'm going to agree with Gregg....that did sound cold.


However he has a point, in school there WILL be sacrifices...however there is an alternative. Look into your proctor policy, can you pick a new proctor? Perhaps one that is closer to you? When I attended Ashworth College my proctor was the Dean of a Private Theological Seminary that operated not far from me. Many times you will find someone in your community who will be willing to proctor for you for a small fee or in my case....just out of the kindness of their heart.

What is your school policy on proctors?

 

opinions

I should have mentioned that I have just finished my first 12 hours of my degree plan. This is my first semester and I have over 100 plus hours to go. My boss is very helpful, but as it is only he and I in the office, I do not like to take off, if I can help it.

As for proctoring locations near my office, there is none. Thanks for all your opinions.

Roz

 

Check out this thread, which states National University and Keiser College (both RA) don't require proctored exams.

 

Proctored exams

Thanks Bruce,
That was really interesting.

 

Re: opinions

There weren't any nearby for my wife either. She organized her own.

 

Your local public library may offer to proctor your exams. I have arranged exams through my local library, with the exam proctored by the head librarian of the branch, and only have a five minute drive to the library.

If it is any consolation, mom_of_5, between August 2004 and August 2005 I completed 28 credit hours of coursework while working full-time. Now I would not advise you do anything nearly as foolish.

 

I have to admit I find the proctoring process for some schools daunting. I did my first (B&M) master's as one of those commuter students taking evening classes and spending 2-3 hours each night in the car once or twice a week for two years. I would rather do that AGAIN than take three finals in a single day.

 

I would say do whatever makes your life a bit easier. I don't agree with DesElms' whole "you gotta suffer for your education" mentality. Why make things any harder than they need to be? If the other school will suit your educational needs and make things in your personal and professional life easier...well then, why not? I would just make sure that all of your credits would transfer ahead of time before you decide to switch schools.

To steal a line from DesElms...Those are my thoughts..."Just sayin'"

 

Is your school really picky about the proctoring locations? Are the only available proctors a long distance away or only available during working hours?

I guess that I'd submit an application to the University of Alabama.

Then I'd talk to my current school, explain the problem, tell them that I'm considering transferring out, and ask them if they can approve a more user-friendly proctor. Emphasize that you aren't trying to avoid proctoring entirely. Ask them if they would accept a local public librarian doing it in the evening, on weekends or whenever fits around your work schedule. (My guess is that you won't be the first student with this problem.)

If the school assumes a hard-nosed attitude, then go to plan-B and take a walk over to the U. of A.

 

Gregg you said not to stifle so...I must disagree here. I think Proctors can be a deciding factor in school choice and rightfully so! I understand the reasoning for proctored exams, but also the reason people are flocking to DL is because of the convenience. It is allowing people to return to education that would traditionally not be able to. Proctors unfortunately put up barriers for some students! If you must take the day out of work you are most likely using a sick day, vacation day or not getting paid. All those choices suck, if you go to school full time and you take a vacation day to take your exams that's one less vacation day you can spend with your family during a school break! Yeah I know it's only temporary but a major inconvenience! There are also the headaches of finding a proctor location, etc. Sure this isn't going to be forever but it could be 3-4 years and that can create hardship in the immediate term. IT also forces her to take all her exams in one day if you are taking 4 classes that quite the load! Most full-time B&M student's bitch about 2 exams in the same day. They wouldn't dream of taking four! I say Mom needs to do what is right for her, if this program is otherwise a perfect fit then maybe she does need to suck it up but if this is becoming a hardship there are alternatives.

Just my opinion.

 

Why in the world SHOULD she?

"Just suck it up?" You're not making enemies my dear. You're just proving that just because one is 'edumacated' doesn't mean they have a lick of common sense.
IF it was the only online degree program which had her credential, or IF said credential has required proctored exams at all schools offering said credential, or IF she was only one quarter or semester away from finishing her degree program, then perhaps your advice would make sense. Given the context, it doesn't.
As a mother of 7, who has just finished her degree program, I can assure you mom of 5 of 2 things: #1 Life is far too short to make your life (and your family's) difficult when it doesn't have to be. #2 There is more than one way to skin a cat, but the simplest, most efficient one is far less painful... for the skinner not the skinnee!
So, take a deep breath. Do a bit more research. Make sure that wherever you're moving to will fit your needs. Then GO. You'll have more time with your kids, less stress at work, and no travel time. How isn't that a win-win situation?

 

If you did stay with your current school, would it be possible to have your local librarian proctor your exams on a weekend rather than giving up vacation time?

 

Re: Why in the world SHOULD she?

Hi

What Laura says about doing what works is 100% true. My worry would be transfering into a program that I have much bigger issues with. You never know exatly what a program is like until you are in it. For me the first choice would be seeing if there was a way to make the current program work before jumping.

 

Re: Re: Why in the world SHOULD she?

What Laura said, thirded.

The "suck it up " approach is just too complicated for the original poster. The particular proctoring requirements are causing problems on a job in which she and her boss are the only ones present in the office. That makes things especially difficult when time off is needed, since there really is no one to cover except the boss. Also, encouraging sacrifices is missing the point that the OP would not be the only one sacrificing. She has FIVE children, mentioned that time off from work is usually reserved for them, and also mentioned that she is still at the beginning of her pursuit of a college degree. Sacrificing in her case could easily go on for years, and children grow and change very quickly. The differences between ages 4 and 8, ages 13 and 17, etc., are astounding and that time doesn't come back.

But I would echo Dave Hayden's concern to be sure the new program would meet educational and other goals. Perhaps any new programs considered would be willing to put the OP in touch with current or former students? Communicating with someone who has 'been there done that' can often be more helpful in making decisions rather than just relying on information provided solely by the college.

Kit