Request for Master's Degree Possibilities

I have another friend (I have a lot of friends) who is interested in a distance master's degree, preferably online. I think I'm in the same boat with many of you folks. Once one friend learns of our successes in distance learning, everyone comes to me like I'm an expert. I'm not, so I come here to find those who are.

Here are the facts:

1. 15 graduate credits in English and education, all more than 15 years old.
2. Preferably online, but could include correspondence.
3. Definitely RA and in the US.
4. The specific master's type is unimportant (the humanities, education, interdisciplinary, for example).
5. Preferably no thesis requirement.
6. GRE was taken last year, so that requirement is not an issue.
7. Total hours desired: 30-36 for the degree.
8. Reasonably priced (under $10,000; the cheaper, the better). The entire purpose of the degree is for self-fulfillment.

My immediate response was that the first point above will be the stumbling block. Perhaps Excelsior will take the 15 hours in transfer, but there is a thesis, right? All suggestions are welcome.

basrsu

 

I currently attend Columbia College and they offer an online MBA or an online Masters in Criminal Justice. They will accept up to 9 hours of transfer credit. Their graduate tuition is a very reasonable $290 per credit hour.

Since I have a blog about online colleges (Online College Blog), I frequently review programs and I would be happy to help you find one. It might be helpful if you could slightly narrow down your desired course of study.

If you are interested in an MBA, I have several listed in the price range you mentioned in the following two posts: Top 25 MBA Best Buys and Accreditation and Pricing for 10 MBA programs

 

I agree with Steve and would make an even stronger statement. I don't think there's a school anywhere that will accept 15 grad credits that are 15 years old. Your friend should be thinking about starting from scratch.

 

Western New Mexico University's Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies - Online

The ability to transfer 15 year old credits is not there but it meets the rest of the requirements: inexpensive (under $6k), 36 credits, no thesis. It also provides multiple options for that whole self-fullment thing.

 

Maybe you should start with your friend's field - English - and work from there to find something that fits his/her requirements.

California State University Dominguez Hills www.csudh.edu MA Humanities/Literature Emphasis
Fort Hays State University www.fhsu.edu MLS English
Mercy College www.mercy.edu MA English Literature
National University www.nu.edu MA English
Northern Arizona University www.nau.edu MA English
University of West Alabama www.uwa.edu MAT English/Language Arts Education
Western New Mexico University www.wnmu.edu MA Interdisciplinary Studies/English

 

Probably Excelsior with those many hours to transfer. Unlike other programs, I think Excelsior will take credit hours that are more than six years old....but not 100% positive.

Their MLS program has been growing rapidly, I understand there are over 700 students enrolled.

Gavin

 

From Excelsior College's FAQ Page on the Masters...

Q: Will any of my previous courses apply toward Tier II of the program?
A: Up to 15 graduate-level credits from regionally accredited institutions, with grades of B- or better, may apply toward Tier II. It is important for you to submit official transcripts for all courses to be considered for transfer.

Q: Is there any time limit on the graduate courses transferred to Tier II?
A: No. There is no time limit, provided the courses meet the criteria outlined for Tier II.


So...there's the answer...up to 15 graduate hours will transfer, regardless of the age of the credits. The entire page can be viewed at
https://www.excelsior.edu/portal/page?_pageid=57,75399&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

basrsu

 

Morehead State University www.moreheadstate.edu MA English

 

Bowling Green State University www.bgsu.edu MA in English

 

Consider DETC-accredited schools, which tend to have more liberal transfer policies at the master's level.

Consider Excelsior anyway.

Consider WGU. While your credits may not transfer, their competency-based programs might be a straighter path.

Consider dumping the old credits and doing a master's in an area you find important and interesting, instead of just leveraging your credits into whatever master's program will have you. You're talking about 15 credits, or 5 classes. Imagine what you could learn in those 5 classes, as well as in the rest of a good-fitting program.

 

MA in Imaginative Literature from the College of the Humanities and Sciences of Harrison Middleton University www.chumsci.edu

 

The primary stumbling block is the lack of a specific subject area that you wish to specialize in! A scattergun approach to determine which graduate program will accept your transfer credits will most probably be unsuccessful. Without a specific graduate academic specialization that is congruent with your academic interests, aptitudes, academic strengths and limitations and career goals, it is most like that offering you ANY graduate program, regardless of the transfer credits they will accept, will not result in a successful outcome. You would probably benefit from prioritizing your educational/career planning by initially determing your academic and career interests and goals and then moving from that point to finding suitable graduate programs that will accept your credits.