Excelsior MALS

Is anyone doing, or has anyone done, the Excelsior MALS? If so, what is your opinion of it? Pros, cons, frustrations, pleasant experiences etc.

Thanks much for any info.

Kavade

 

I considered it when it was first being launched, and it looks fairly flexible. However, for what it is (a liberal arts masters degree) $455 a credit hour is more than many other options out there. I don't know if I would spend $15-20K.

For NY State residents, Empire State College charges around $350 a credit hour for its 36 credit MALS degree, around $2500 less.

My personal opinion is that Excelsior, with TESC and COSC, is an excellent springboard to completing a bachelor's degree. For anything beyond I would probably choose a state school or something with better name recognition.

 

Amen to this. If you are getting some sort of tuition assistance a grad degree from EC or TESC may not be bad, if you're paying out of pocket or taking out loans, go for something that offers more bang for the buck.

 

Thank you for the replies. I will check into the cheaper choices you folks have mentioned.

I'm not concerned about the name of the school, just that whatever it is be accredited.The thing is, I have a job I REALLY like, but being certain I keep the job requires getting an MA . That I was hired without an MA is very unusual, and although no one ever said"Get a master's," I know they want that and might not renew my contract if I don't get one. So I'm looking for the fastest and most flexible MA (something in the humanities because I'm too old to switch gears at this point) I can find.

Excelsior seems flexible, but I have had some problems getting answers from people there. But I like the 8 week course schedule, and that they will take my grad units from Cal State, and that I can, to some small extent, devise my own program. But if
anyone knows of other places that are cheaper, I'm all ears.

Many thanks,
Kavade

 

Have you looked at Fort Hays State University? Liberal Studies - Fort Hays State University

 

Amberton is always an option -

The Master of Arts in Professional Development provides a broad based, interdisciplinary curriculum from the fields of business, communication, counseling, human behavior and human resources and training to meet the specific learning goals of the adult student. This degree program provides students with the opportunity of designing an interdisciplinary program of study that brings fields of inquiry together in unique combinations not otherwise offered as a program at the University. Graduates will use their unique program of study in a wide range of careers including management, team leadership, communication, and social sciences.


You can transfer 12 credits into the program - http://www.amberton.edu/Degrees/Graduate/PDF/MA_PROFDEV.pdf
Tuition is only $700 per class - Amberton University - Admission - FAQ's
If you transfer in 12 credits, it would only cost $5,600

 

I just took a quick look at Fort Hayes. That might be a good choice. Thank you for posting the link. I'll check into it further.

 

If it's just a master's degree, and you have Cal State credit, why not look at the Humanities External Degree (HUX) from Cal State Dominguez Hills?

HUX Home

 

The Amberton degree has many strengths, I can see that from their site, but I'm looking for something that would allow me to
do some work in linguistics and or literature. The Fort Hays might work, but I can't find anything about transferring in units to FH graduate programs. Does anyone know how many units can be brought in to the FH degree?

Gosh, this is a great community! Thank you for your help!

 

I just found the info at Fort Hays. They won't take my Cal State credits because they are too old. Excelsior will accept them though.

I'll look into HUX also. Ta very much.

 

I ha a look at Amberton Universityand copied the below from from its site . I notice you can do 30 credits in Psychology, Religion/Ethics and Sociology, but Amberton do not have any courses in those programs. Am I missing something?Thanks

Major Requirements: 30 Hours
Thirty (30) semester hours of graduate courses selected by the student from
one or more of the following areas:
Business Administration
Communication
Counseling
Human Behavior and Development
Human Resources and Training
*Psychology
*Religion/Ethics
*Sociology

 

The Excelsior MALS program offers the opportunity to transfer in 15 of the 33 credits required, so seems targeted to a specific demographic:

“Will any of my previous courses apply toward the program?”
“Up to 15 graduate-level credits from regionally accredited institutions, with grades of B- or better, may apply toward Tier II of the program, pending advisor approval at the time of the Degree Completion Plan (DCP). It is important for you to submit official transcripts for all courses to be considered for transfer. Certain conditions apply. Consult your MALS Advisor for guidance.”

NOTE: Approval of transfer credit does not occur at the time of admission, but later when the Degree Completion Plan is submitted.

Masters Arts Liberal Studies FAQ - excelsior.edu

 

APU/AMU also does the 8 week class deal and (until this summer, when they're apparently going up in cost) their grad credits are $300/credit. They offer a HUGE selection of master's degrees as well as certs, so you could get a cert if you want to feel the program out and then continue on to the full master's if you wish.

They also take a limited amount of credit into their programs, but nowhere near as much as EC does.

 

I think Amberton and Excelsior could very very cost and time effective if you take the grade classes from VESI via Morningside College. From reviews here I have read that you can complete a 3 credit Vesi class in 1 month without a problem, the cost would be $230 for 3 credits...$76.66.. if you transfer the maximum number of credits to either Excelsior or Amberton, the price of your masters would be considerabily less and you could possibly complete it in a year

Best wishes!!

 

I know I can go directly to the WNMU and ask my question, but that won’t be any fun, so I am going to seek my information here at degreeinfo. Does anyone know what courses are offer under education options majors in the MAIS at WNMU?
I am happy with the courses being offered under Psychology, somewhat not happy with Political Science, no interest in criminal justice, english, history and writing. However, I need to see what behind the education options before I make a final decision.
• Bilingual Education
• Criminal Justice
• Education
• Elementary Education
• English
• History
• Management Information Systems (MIS)
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Reading Education
• Secondary Education
• Writing Check out the Writing Newsletter

 

http://ggsc.wnmu.edu/Brochure/MAIS%20Brochure.pdf
I have found the answer to my question. I am very impress with the choices being offered.

 

Happy to share my experience..

Hi Kavade,

Im currently in the Thesis stage of Excelsior's MA/LS program.

I also have completed the MLS at FHSU so I can share some thoughts there as well.

My reason for selecting the EC MA/LS was soley to put 21 credits of graduate philosophy to use. I had been in the MA at the University of Toledo in 1991-1993 but for a number of reasons never completed it.

Becouse of the agen of those credits, neither UT nor anyone else would consider letting me use them. EC was the only place I could apply them to a degree which already had me half way through the MA/LS. I was able to also be creative in my selection of complimentary courses (loading up on Leadership courses) and my employer felt they fit with our tuition plan. so, all ill be paying for is the 6 Thesis hours.

I cant say enough about the quality of my instructors. All of them have been top-drawer. and the folks leading the MA/LS program (jim Slavin and my advisor, dr Caldwell) are extremely helpful and really work with folks on their degree completion.

Still, im a big fan of the FHSU program. I completed their MLS in 2007 and now teach for them in their undergrad leadership studies program.

feel free to send a note or call if you want to chat 724-743-7413.

mike