Change of Plans--onward to WNMU.

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by StefanM, Nov 15, 2011.

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  1. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    Ok, so I have officially sent in my withdrawal paperwork for LU.

    I think the Ed.S. program there is good for those in K-12 fields, but the program has too much of a K-12 focus for me. I'm not passionate about education as a field of academic study (except for educational psychology), so without immediate application to higher ed, my interest level is very low with these courses.

    Also, I have noticed a tendency in the program toward less and less instructor interaction. In my MA at LU (Human Services), almost all of the instructors were very involved with the class. My last course (statistics), the instructor was almost missing in action the entire course. For the most part it ended up being an independent study with some perfunctory discussion boards. This could be great for someone passionate about the academic study of education, but for me, it was simply too tedious. I could do it without too much trouble, but it was not very enjoyable.

    I am therefore going to transfer to WNMU for the spring 2012 term. I plan to pursue concentrations in English and Psychology. I do enjoy these subjects, and the program also could open doors to teach as an adjunct at my current institution. Even if it doesn't, though, I will simply enjoy the opportunity to study these subjects in a formal context. The price is definitely right at WNMU, so that helps tremendously.

    Lastly, the final things that pushed me over the edge were the political and religious elements at LU. My religious affiliation is close to LU, but I'm not really a good "Baptist." I am actually in the process of finding a new church home, and I will most likely be changing denominations. Politically, I'm sick of LU practically shilling for the Republican party in everything that they do. I therefore came to the point that I did not want to add another LU degree to my resume. A WNMU degree will allow me to add a secular, public degree, and I hope this will help.

    My academic record screams "religious nut," but unfortunately the record is deceptive. I am perfectly ok with faith-based institutions, but I don't want to be pigeonholed to a narrow Baptist-only kind of milieu.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 15, 2011
  2. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    I too have experienced some of the feelings you write about. LU is a good school for many but not all. I am looking forward to WNMU perhaps we will share some classes.
     
  3. rebel100

    rebel100 New Member

    I guess WNMU is the flavor of the day, I plan to start in January also :) Adjunct what are your concentration areas? Im looking at a combination of History/Criminal Justice/Business.
     
  4. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    As a WNMU alum, I think you all have made a perfect choice!

    -Matt
     
  5. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    rebel100,
    I just switched out of psychology/history to writing/history. I am going to complete this degree for a couple of reasons: Low cost, state university degree, extra 18 credit area and I am needing a break from large online schools such as LU that use to many adjuncts for online programs. WNMU is small at this time and we WNMU DL students get to experience regular professors and that is a rare thing in DL. So at this point in time WNMU is a perfect fit. However, my prediction is that in the next several years WNMU will expand its DL program and eventually become like the others. So the time is right for attending WNMU's MAIS program.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 17, 2011
  6. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    As someone who earned a BA at California Baptist University and working on an EdD at Liberty, I can see your point. I don't agree with everything the Baptist Convention stands for either. For me though, being pigeonholed is not a concern, but I can see why it would bother you. Best wishes to you in your new academic venture. I am eager to hear about your experience at WNMU, I hear it's a great school with very reasonable tuition.
     
  7. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    SurfDoctor,

    Good luck. Thanks. By the way I should have written " LU that use too many adjuncts for online programs" I am always using to and not too hate that!
     
  8. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Don't worry, your mistake wasn't to noticeable. :smile:
     
  9. Psydoc

    Psydoc New Member

    Why not start a new trend? Anytime we need to use the word to, too, or two we will simply use the numeric "2" and those reading it may spell it anyway they choose.
     
  10. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    It definitely is a much bigger issue in higher education than in K-12. K-12 is very credential-driven due to state and federal regulations, but it seems that higher education is more pedigree-driven.

    My B.A. is a ministry degree, so that makes it even more difficult.
     
  11. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    I completely agree. I'm of the belief that adjuncts should be rare at the doctoral level. Adjuncts who do teach at the doctoral level should be professionals with a wealth of experience, but this is unfortunately not always the case. I had an adjunct for my statistics class, and the instructor was a newly minted PhD doing a post-doc at another university. I'm sorry. That's not what I want out of a doctoral program. Doctoral faculty, IMO, should be comprised mostly of Associate Professor and full Professor level faculty members, with the possible exception of a rockstar Assistant Professor from time to time. If you are training scholars, adjunct usage should be minimal.

    I did have some positive experiences at LU at the master's level with full-time online professors. They taught all of their classes online, but they were full-time LU professors, and they seemed to provide great feedback while remaining fully engaged throughout the courses.

    I am definitely looking forward to the current setup at WNMU. Being in classes with non-adjunct professors should be refreshing.
     
  12. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    An adjunct to teach a statistics class??? Are you kidding me?? Wow, that's kinda lame, actually. I have done around 10 classes at LU now and only one used an adjunct, all of the others were associate professors.
     
  13. Psydoc

    Psydoc New Member

    It has been 20 years ------really-----------since I attended Liberty and, at the time, there were NO adjuncts on staff. There professors there were, for the most part, good at what they did. I had one that didn't seem to know how to teach but knew the material really well. And, the associate director of the Counseling Department was a turkey, but brought quite a bit to the academic table. At the time two courses in religion were required but outside these two courses religion was pretty much a non-issue. LU provided me a really good foundation for Counseling - passed the licensing exam first time with minimal study.
     
  14. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    You may be on 2 something.
     
  15. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    lol The English language must be a beast to learn for many foreigners!
     
  16. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    i h8 txt msg lingo!
     
  17. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    I think you are onto something there. I mean at the doctoral level having almost no feedback, direction or collaboration really started making me believe that online education at the doctoral level is much too watered down--- and I am unsure it is essentially comparable to traditional doctoral programs. I learned the course content very well but there is a gap, a void or disconnect or whatever in my Ed.S. experience. My DL Seminary M.A., for the most part, had much more professor interaction. In fact, the student-to-student interaction was more in-depth and provoking. While the Ed.S. course content was pretty darn good--- that was about it. Discussions were generally very bare minimum and superficial parroting. I was greatly disappointed and noticed several plagiarizers. So when Liberty University's financial aid department treated me unfairly I was ready to leave. It is not so painful though I did gain more that 18 doctoral credit hours in education which enhances my ability to adjunct at the local community college. Honestly I am unsure how I feel about fully online doctorates right now. My experience has led me to believe they are indeed inferior. However, my experience may be an exception or anomaly. I believe it will take me awhile to make a unbiased and informed opinion. I have no complaints with my M.A. experience from LU. Moreover, that degree taught me how to write academically and to do literature reviews, and my Ed.S/Ed.D. course work taught me how to do basic to moderate level educational research. These are good skills to have. Nevertheless, I am glad to be leaving Liberty University and blazing new trails.

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 18, 2011

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