Masters with no thesis requirement or lengthy term papers, does this exist?

My wife needs to complete a Masters Degree within 2 years in order to keep her current position at work. Her employer doesn't care which subject she earns her degree in, only that it comes from a regionally accredited school. And yes, online schools are perfectly acceptable of course.

Now the problems, my wife earned her BA over 10 years ago and it was a very difficult process for her due to her poor writing skills. She must now go back to school and truly feels lost as to where to attend and what to choose. Here is what she knows she needs:

A regionally accredited school that

-accepts her GPA of 2.7
-doesn't require GRE
-has a Masters program that can be completed in 2 years
-offers classes that don't require lengthy term papers
-has no thesis requirement

Does something like this exist? I certainly hope so for my wife's sake. She is under a lot of stress trying to find a school that would be a good fit for her, let alone selecting a subject she can handle. On her behalf, I am asking for advice on schools and subjects you think she could handle based on what I've described. Both she and I would be sincerely grateful for all guidance and input, thank you very much.

 

The trick is that most graduate programs are pretty writing intensive. Especially if you move towards the liberal arts - social sciences area's. Is she good at Math, Sciene, Engineering? Seems like those would be less writing intensive so maybe easier for your wife. What kind of place of employment makes someone get a graduate degree in "anything" just to keep a job? Crazy. Good luck to your wife!

 

Unfortunately, she isn't very good at math, science or engineering. What you said about finding a program that isn't very writing intensive is what she really needs. Other than the the 3 above subjects, what others do any of you think would be lighter on the writing?

She works in public relations, and her position requires her to speak a great deal,as she is a very good communicator. Are there perhaps any programs for public relations, social media, and the like, that again are light on the writing?

 

What field would your wife like to study?

 

never mind, requires GRE

 

Try this - not sure how writing intensive - http://amberton.edu/Degrees/Graduate/PDF/MA_PROFDEV.pdf

A masters is not "easy" by nature. You listed what she does not want but what is she willing to do such as perfers group projects, will do hybrid classes, enjoys discussion threads, etc.

 

The GRE is not a difficult test. And, just taking the verbal and math components will get you a score so your wife will not have to write out a long paper at all. Perhaps, with her poor writing skills, she is not cut out for graduate education?

 

Check out Liberty University's MA in Management Leadership.
10 courses, no capstone nor thesis.
URL: http://www.luonline.com/media/1270/MA_Management_Leadership%202011.pdf

"
Admission Requirements
Master of Arts in Management and Leadership (M.A.M.L.)

1. Apply online or download graduate application and submit via mail.

2. $50.00 Deferred application fee (Assessed during financial check in)

3. Fax / scan all unofficial college transcripts. *Please Note* Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes!

4. College transcripts. All official transcripts must be received by the end of the first term. If not, students will be unable to continue to register for classes.

5. Regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.5 GPA for admission in good standing

6. TOEFL scores for students who speak English as a second language (score of 600 paper-based test; 250 computer-based test; 100 internet-based test)"

 

LUs business department does sometimes require decent sized papers/projects.

 

My suggestion, which you won't like, is for her to enroll in an open enrollment graduate level course. I did 2 through Harvard Extension. Let her get a feel for what graduate level writing and reading are all about. Pay cash. She may surprise herself! 10 years ago is a long time, and a motivated adult is capable of 10x more than a smart lazy twenty year old.

Some, but not all, grad programs may accept that class as a transfer class (if she did her homework on this ahead of time as an "if then" scenario she can plan for this) and so the credit would transfer- she could enroll- and she'd be on her way. Worst case that it wouldn't transfer, but there is value in the experience, and the classes are really TOP NOTCH.

If, on the other hand, she feels completely frustrated and out of her depth, she can start working on her resume and perhaps updating her knowledge in other ways (certificates, training, licenses, conference networking, computer classes, etc) to prepare for changing to a new employer. It would be cheaper to do it this way, and for the love of god, please don't take out a student loan for the cost of a master's program when she might not be able to get beyond the first semester. TEST THE WATERS.

You can check out Harvard classes (*they are online and open enrollment- just pay and go! No transcripts, no application) Harvard Extension School | Online Courses & Harvard Continuing Education | Boston

 

TCU's MLA probably would work, but it's probably expensive.

http://www.mla.tcu.edu/

Here's the admission requirements:

The Master of Liberal Arts program is open to any person who holds a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, regardless of major academic emphasis or date of completion.

It's basically a program that has mixed subject courses, unlike other liberal studies programs that often let you select from a variety of regular liberal arts courses. It's ten courses, no thesis and no GRE. Still, there's probably a lot of writing. Here's a great book:

http://www.amazon.com/Students-Guide-Writing-College-Papers/dp/0226816311/ref=la_B001IGFJ4W_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1340755372&sr=1-2

A lot people who think they can't write often just need to learn the steps and follow a plan. Twenty page college papers aren't bad if you work just a little at a time throughout a semester.

 

Take a look at the several masters degrees offered by American Public University
APU Masters Programs
Many of their masters degrees have a comprehensive exam in lieu of a thesis.
The MA Humanities degree tuition is around $12,000.

CSUDH has a DL Masters in Humanities that requires either a thesis or graduate project.
HUX Master of Arts Degree

I might add that although scary to many students a thesis can be straightforward if you pick the right approach. The history of a topic can be quite easy to research and write about - especially if you spend a semester on the research followed by a semester writing about your research.

 

I took the first two courses in this program and there was writing, just like in most if not all graduate programs.

 

You might try Peru State College. I earned my degree with no thesis (I chose the 2 elective option) and there was some writing, but it didn't seem extensive.

Disclaimer: That was in 2007 - I don't know how much their course format has changed over the past 5 years. Also, the degree program I was in is no longer offered. The Master of Science in Organizational Management is now offered, and it requires either a thesis, action research project, or internship. The elective credits are no longer an option. However, it doesn't require a thesis.

 

A few years ago I looked for degrees in Sports Medicine and saw quite a few Masters in Physical Education that could be completed online. Many had a Capstone project; very few required a thesis - I am not sure how much writing a course in PE would require. Good luck.