Newbie agonizing over DE MEd degree

Hello all,

Glad to have found this site! I'm in desperate need of some brutally honest input and am hoping veterans of distance ed might be able to help.

A bit of back story for context: I graduated from UMUC's online program with a BA in Humanities last year. Immediately afterwards I applied for grad school with UMUC and was accepted into the MEd in Education Technology/Distance Education dual degree program. Ultimately I would like to keep going till I get my PhD, teach, and design teaching materials for special populations.

The caveat...since applying I've been doing research and coming up with less than flattering reviews of UMUC in general and their graduate programs in particular. Having been through the undergrad program, not all of it seems unjustified, but I can't really speak for how much of the commentary actually applies to the graduate school or to the MEd program.

Biggest complaints are incompetent staff, faculty, and students. Evidently UMUC has a reputation for letting anyone with a pulse take very low-brow courses, and as a result the credibility of any degree seems to be at rock bottom. I have no clue what sort of industry knowledge or prestige instructors might bring to the MEd program or how this might translate into real-world prejudice (or lack thereof) among potential employers or post-graduate institutions after I graduate. I don't even know how legit a lot of the complaints are. But it's worrisome.


I guess I'm looking for insight from anyone who might have gone through UMUC's Master's programs, particularly in Education; or from people who might have some idea of what to expect with an online master's in the field post graduation.

Information on any of the following would be greatly appreciated:

1. UMUC has assured me that the MEd curriculum is accessible to people without a BA/BS in Education; but the flip side of that seems to be complaints that the coursework is watered down. How accurate is either assessment, in your experience?

2. If you have a MA/MS/MEd from UMUC: What reactions have you had from potential employers and/or other schools you've applied to for further study? Did the nontraditional format seem to weigh against your chances of admission or employment in your industry?

3. For distance ed MEds: Do you have any tips for how to evaluate programs?

4. What realistic job options would there be for someone pursuing teaching certification and a distance ed MEd/MDE? Is it impractical to aim for instructional design and teaching?

5. Anything else not mentioned here that you wished you had known before starting your MEd and/or going to UMUC for grad school?

Thanks in advance.

 

Aside from the MBA, the MEd is probably the most plentiful DL grad degree around. As you know, they are offered in an array of concentrations. Because of this there is no reason to choose a program that makes you uncomfortable. In a situation where there are lots of choices my first move would be to screen for cost. I see no sense in paying top dollar for a degree when there are viable options for substantially less. I'd be looking at state universities, starting in my own state and then spreading out from that center point. That process will likely leaving you with maybe 5 or 6 choices. From there it's just a matter of deciding whose school colors you like best or which school has the best women's soccer team. By that I mean that I don't think there will be a significant difference between programs and you'll be using micro-criteria to distinguish between them.

 

If you are worried about the reputation for your masters program, I have good news: In addition to George Washington, nearly every top-rated masters program in the field of instructional/educational technology is available online:

Indiana: http://site.educ.indiana.edu/imgsrcPortals355ojpgDistancePrograms/DEMasters/tabid/10912/Default.aspx
Florida State: http://coe.fsu.edu/Academic-Programs/Departments/Educational-Psychology-and-Learning-Systems-EPLS/Degree-Programs/Instructional-Systems/Degrees/Master-s-in-Instructional-Systems
Utah State: http://itls.usu.edu/htm/academic-programs/online-programs-wp
San Diego State: http://coe.sdsu.edu/edtec/
Penn State: http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/instructional-systems-educational-technology-masters/overview
Virginia Tech: http://www.vto.vt.edu/progdesc.php?id=itma
Purdue: http://www.purdueonlineprograms.com/ldt/learning-design-technology
Boise State: http://edtech.boisestate.edu/web/masters.htm
Missouri-Columbia: http://edtech.missouri.edu/

 

George Washington is a great school and if it fits the OPs needs and budget then I'd say it's a good choice.

 

As has already been addressed; online M.Ed. programs are plentiful. Nonetheless, you may want to consider engaging in an education program that is also NCATE accredited as regards the education industry (especially PK-12 educator certification and Interstate Agreements, e.g., reciprocity). BTW, UMUC does not have NCATE accreditation.

List of Accredited Institutions
NASDTEC Clearinghouse