Masters level DL courses... 2 in 7 weeks?

I have finally made my decision and I am going to go to Wilmington University for their Masters in administration of Justice with a concentration in criminal behavior. I just submitted my application for admission today :arms: Now I just have to wait and see if I get admitted...

They offer their masters courses in block format meaning your classes last for 7 weeks and you get a 1 week break in between and you start another 7 weeks. I have spoke with the department chair of the program I am hoping to get admitted to and she thinks I could do 2 courses in each 7 week period..

Am I going to want to commit suicide if I do this? ( and yes im kidding but being dramatic)

Keep in mind I do not have to work but I do have a 3.5 year old son but I send him to Parents day out 2x each week for a 6 hour stretch and this is usually when I get most of my homework done. But I also have free time starting about 8pm-12am when I also work on homework..

I am just worried because of the work i have heard is involved in Masters level courses..but im thinking if the chair head thinks I can do it and I think I can do... I can do it right!

Would you do it if you didnt have a job? Any reason you wouldn't do it?

 

I have 2 every 10 weeks and its a load. Each week I have multiple papers due for each course in conjunction with exercises and readings not to mention discussion board postings. Doable but not easy.

 

I just finished two 6 week sessions in which I took two classes at once in both sessions for a total of four classes in 12 weeks. This was four of the final five classes needed for my MBA in Finance. I am now taking the final capstone class by itself and it feels like I have a lot of time available all of a sudden. So, it can be done as long as you really commit yourself to it.

 

I think taking two is a but too much, especially when you are just starting out. It's quite a workload and you might be sorry if you bite off too much. You can always double up the next term if it's too easy for you. Plus, are you really in that big of a hurry? Not having to work, you could probably pull it off, but why kill yourself?

 

LOL! Yeah I could see wondering what to do with all the free time you would have after that...

 

That is a good point but my thought process was if after I start the classes and I think its going to be to much I can drop the 2nd course within the first week or 2.

I would like to have it done in the next 1.5 years simply because there could be some big changes happening for our family in that we might make the decision for my husband to change jobs which will mean a HUGE pay cut. My thought was that while I have to ability to not work I might at well get it done because in another year or 2 I might not have the choice. So in some ways I am not in a hurry but in some ways I am. I have asked to see any syllabuses that I can for the classes I am taking so I shall see what I get back.

 

How long are each of your papers? I can handle writing 2-3 papers per week (about 3-5 pages each currently) plus 4 discussion posts, 8 replies plus various other assignments currently in my undergrad program.. So I am wondering how long each of your papers are?

 

My MPH was done in a ten week format. The weekly papers ranged from 3-15 pages with the norm being in the 5-8 page range and the final week being in the 10-15 range.

 

It is probably different for different universities and subjects, but the program I am in also has 7 week classes and they say a student should expect to spend about 15-20 hours per week. I have found that to be pretty accurate for me. I might actually spend slightly more, but that is just because I'm a nerd.

I know some of my classmates have spent far more in classes they were weaker in. I am also sure some spend less time, particularly if they are willing to accept lower grades.

Two classes would be way too much for me, but I am working full time. If I were you, I would start with one and reevaluate after the first semester. I think you could probably handle two, but I think it is best to ease in to adjust. They are only 7 weeks anyway, so it is not like you will have wasted a lot of time.

 

I finished a master degree in one year by taking two to three courses every ten weeks. The work is not a problem - however, you must have the time to do it.

 

When I did my MAT at West Alabama, we had 8 week courses. I usually did 2 per term. I did 3 one time, but found it too much. I didn't have any problems with 2 at a time.

 

My MBA program was done in eight week terms, 2 courses per term, with one week breaks in between. I will echo others here and say that 2 classes in an accelerated term is definitely doable, but that you must have the time to actually do the work. Basically, you'll be on a 4 course per semester pace, which is considered a full-time course load. From your original post, it sounds like you have the time available, just manage your time wisely, keep deadlines in mind, and don't burn out. Graduate school was the best experience of my educational life - I was studying exactly what I wanted to with people who were just as motivated as I was to learn it. I hope that you find it as fulfilling and rewarding! Good luck!

--Fortunato

 

Thanks for the encouragement! I think I have decided to try 2 classes my first term and if its to much I will drop one of the classes and begin taking only 1 class each 7 weeks. I do have time available and the ability not to have to work while doing it, which makes me want to push through and get it done while I know I have that ability! As for burn out the way I have it planned I will take a few terms with only one class (which should feel like a vacation ) to give myself a break every once in awhile. It will take me about 1 yr 2months or so to get it done but its worth it.

Allie

 

Hi Allie,

First, props to you for seeking a masters! I just wanted to share this with you, though. Wilmington U started offering online grad degrees a little while ago. I was about to enquire into one of their MAEd programs and when my wife found out she gave me a resounding "Don't do it!!!" She's a Delaware native and told me the school has a horrible rep in the Delaware area. Of course, that's based on the brick and mortar programs. Our friend, who is a program director at the University of Delaware, told me similar things about Wilmington.

I just wanted to share this with you. I don't want to be a doom-sayer, but I'd hate for someone to earn a degree only to have it laughed at. Then again, if you are doing a distance program, folks outside of Delaware might not care about the reputation of the school and just focus on the fact that you have a degree.

-Matt

 

Can you find out specifics for me? As in whats the rep about? I will never be in Delaware so I am wondering if this will affect me.. Interesting though and now I will go dig further....lol

 

I live in northern Delaware.. so i'd be curious to hear about this so-called bad rep. I'd say the school really has no rep, to be perfectly honest. Its all about U of D here. Now and then, you hear something about Widener, or Goldey Beacom.. DelTech, etc.

 

If I didn’t have a job, yes I would do it. It would be manageable then. If you work, no way. I take 1 class every 6 weeks and it is TOUGH. I also work like 55-60 hrs a week and have 2 small children, so that doesn’t help. I am planning (at the end of my program, in my specialization courses) on “doubling up”, but not for the entire program and they are “easy classes”.