Are there ANY online IMC grad degrees that are affordable?

I was recently accepted into WVU's M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications program. Class started yesterday and it's GREAT.

However, since I put my temporary MILITARY address on my initial application, I'm getting charged out of state tuition which is $930 PER HOUR. They denied my application for residency because I didnt enter the military in West Virginia....even though I'm paying WV state income tax this month for all of 2008. SCREW THEM! I cannot afford $2800 8 week classes. That's ridiculous...plus im actually at WV resident!

Anyway...the only other schools offering IMC masters degrees that I could find were Easter Michigan Univ and Golden Gate Univ...however, both of those school are at least $1900 per class. What gives? Isn't there anything affordable out there? My Navy Tuition Assistance combine with GI Bill wont even cover all that.

Does anyone know any other routes I could take? I just want a school that is accredited and isnt completely UNKNOWN.

Thanks so much for your help everyone...

JC

 

Why won't the school allow you to update your residential address if you live in West Virginia. I would escalate your issue to the appropriate person within the registrar's office.

 

basically they are trying to say that since I'm not physically in West Virginia at all time (as I'm in the military in DC), that I'm not a resident.

I moved from Ohio LAST january to a new permanent home residence of West Virginia. When im out of the military this November, I return home to West Virginia...my home of record.

These @ssholes just dont care. I pay taxes to West Virginia this January for the entire year of 2008...that $1000. Why am I even paying these taxes if I'm not a resident?

I HATE WVU.

 

JC_USN,

If you don't mind causing a bit of a ruckus, there is an easy way to fix this. Call the local media in Morgantown and tell them you have proof that WVU is discriminating against our nation's brave members of the armed forces. Then call your congress critter and both senators. If WVU has a military liaison office, touch base with them as well. I would expect that you find your situation is resolved by the end of the week.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, so you need to be as squeaky as you can possibly be. Best of luck!

 

Couldn't agree more..

Shawn

 

It sure sounds like you're getting jerked around. I also have an interest in IMC and have searched high and low for DL IMC programs. Unfortunately, you have already mentioned the only DL options I am aware of.

IMC is a relatively area of degree study at the graduate level. WVU just started their program a few years ago, and they had the first totally-online program. There aren't many around. I seem to recall Syracuse University had a MS in Communications Management program, but it's not IMC and it's not cheap.

Here is a list of programs. You'll have to do a bit of digging to see if any of them have DL options;

http://www.envisionmba.com/Home/IMC%20Marketing%20Advertising%20Communication%20Programs

 

Eastern Michigan University offer Master in IMC.

URL: http://www.ce.emich.edu/onlinefactsheets/index.html

 

That one was already mentioned in the original post.

The only truly online graduate programs in IMC in the U.S., that I'm aware of, are the programs at West Virginia University, Eastern Michigan University and Golden Gate University. They are all rather expensive.

 

At one point I looked into IMC. TCord is correct. I looked closely at Eastern since it's close to me (about a 40 minute drive to class) and they are too ridiculous expensive. Especially because here in MI they do not have as good of a reputation as other colleges like Central or Oakland U do.

 

I'm all over it. If you hear about this on the news...you'll know where it came from haha

 

Well, even after my Congressman called the school...the @ssholes STILL denied my residency claim.

This is ridiculous. EVERYONE STAY AWAY FROM WVU. They are easily the most rude, unfriendly school in the nation. An active member of the military, which is a STATE resident, still can't be simpley approved to the in-state tuition he is entitled to.

 

I have to agree. If you live in the state you should be able to pay in-state tuition.

Here is a question: which state do you pay state income taxes to? If it's not WV, you'll know why they are hosing you over.

Alternatively, you may want to consider an MBA with a concentration in Marketing at another school. There are LOTS of options available which are affordable and more military-friendly than WVU apparently isn't.

 

I'd say that rudeness on the part of administrative nomes is likely not something that West Virginia University holds any monopoly on.

 

Southern New Hampshire University www.snhu.edu offers a Graduate Certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications.

 

But it's not an MA. I did find a Masters in Management with a concentration in Public Relations at University of Maryland University College:

http://www.umuc.edu/programs/grad/msm/public_relations.shtml

 

That really sucks man. When I read your story i got so mad! have you decided on a school? Someone mentioned Eastern Michigan's IMC program. I just applied there today. I like the curriculum, the fact that it's online, and that classes are only 7.5 weeks long. This allows one to complete the degree in 2 years by taking 1 class at a time for 10 terms and 2 classes at once for 2 terms.

Personally, with work, kids, church, LIFE, i can't be taking 2 classes at time throughout a program. My brain would fry!