Least Expensive RA Masters

I apologize beforehand. I am confident that this exact topic must have been brought up before, but I cannot find any thread related to this by search. I recently found out about Western New Mexico University. You can get a Master's for less than 4k . The program seems nice too, everyone has positive things to say about it, and it's interdisciplinary, so I am not likely to get bored if I choose to pursue it (should be done with my BA next year).

Anyway, the deal seems just too good to be true, but is! I wanted to double check, is there any RA masters online degree program that is even less expensive than that?! It's a GREAT deal, but I just want to make sure that I search the details through thoroughly.

Thank you, my friends. Your comments are highly appreciated.

 

WNM seems to be the lowest around. But how do you get it under 4k? 36h req. 6h=$977.00 X 6= $5862. Or are you planing on transferring some credits in?

 

WMNU limits you to six credits per semester, if you want to continue with in-state rates. Additionally I've heard their technology is not top-notch. Still, there are lots of very satisfied students on here, and even considering those small drawbacks, WMNU is my first choice for a non-business master's degree.

 

I should have specified my situation and calculations. According to http://www.wnmu.edu/admin/businessaff/Tuition_Fees/2010/Silver%20City%20Campus%20Non-Resident%20Tuition%20and%20Fees%20Fa%2009-Sp%2010.pdf, 6 credits is $827 (including ALL fees). I would not plan on taking more than that per semester, meaning I would need 6 semesters. 6 x 827 = $4962.00.

I was thinking, however... Excelsior offers two graduate classes to exceptional (like me ) undergraduates in their senior year. If I could do that, and wnmu accepted the credits, I could have 6 graduate credits covered by the HOPE tax credit. Therefore, I would have to pay $4135.00 for a masters out of pocket. However, I work as a contractor, and would gain more money hourly if I had a Masters, so I am sure (though I would need to do some research) that I could write off my entire degree on my tax return. That would put me well under 4k. If I can't write it off, I could at least use the lifetime learning tax credit to put me still a good amount under 4k.

Still need to do some research to confirm all of this, but it is the best result that any number crunching has done for me so far.

 

Wow, that's a great price for a RA master's. I spent over 3 times that much for mine.

 

I would check out the states that seem to have a deal with non resident students taking classes online for in state resident prices. New Mexico has that agreement for the most part. I've also heard Chadron State is pretty cheap. Louisiana and Nebraska also seem to have something like that in place.

What is it that you want to study?

http://www.enmu.edu/future-students/onlinedegrees.shtml

 

If you haven't been to this thread yet about my colleague getting a full fellowship to UW-Madison Law School, in part due to his WNMU studies, check it out:

http://www.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?t=33423

Shawn

 

The only thing that I've seen cheaper (besides assorted credits here and there that don't actually lead to a degree but can be used towards a degree like the VESI stuff) are state schools that you qualify for instate tuition. And even then, its about the same price or a little more. (OK's state schools run about $160/credit hour, which actually ends up being a little more than the $800 something that WMNU runs for 2 credits per term...)

I'm planning on enrolling either this fall or spring, depending on how my degree is going by June. After that, I'll enter a Counseling Psychology program (unless something happens to where I regret my new direction.. )

Why am I not going for the Counseling Psych MA right away? Well the WNMU program will give me a few credits that can transfer into the program, and it will set me up with 2 18 hour groups of credits that I can use to adjunct if I wish to help with the costs of the more extensive (read twice as long - 60 credits.. eeesh) CP program.

 

I wasn't thinking of teaching, but if I go as far as a Master's, maybe I should at least keep the option open. I gather from your post that 18 hours in a subject at the graduate level is necessary to do so? Is it the same formula for B&M community colleges, or high schools?

 

A masters degree and 18 credits in the subject you want to teach is the minimum requirements to teach college level courses in most schools. That said, it's the minimum so you'd be at a disadvantage against those with subject masters or doctorates. Regardless, having a masters and 18 credits keeps the door open in case you do decide to teach in the future.

For high school, you need a lot more coursework in teaching to get a teaching certificate in the state you reside.