Hello, I am considering applying to the distance M.Ed in Educational Technology from Northwestern State University. I am from Oregon and tuition at NSU is considerably cheaper than the grad schools out here! Any current or former students have any thoughts on the quality of the program? Thanks for your feedback.
Hi Jared: I'm currently taking the Ed.S through NSU (I'm on my 2nd course now) and have nothing but good things to say about them. I used blackboard for my first course and am using Moodle now for my 2nd, I prefer it to BB. The teachers are great, my fellow students have been very interactive and involved, the course work is challenging but not overwhelming (yet), and the tuition cannot be beat. I expect to complete the Ed.S for 4000 - 5000 dollars and then transfer these credits into Liberty's Ed.D program. Liberty's courses are 425.00 a credit hour, NSU's are 133.00 a credit hour. Yeah...I know, wow! Try stacking that up against Reed College! If you need any more info on NSU, let me know. I'm a big fan. Ian
I'm a fan, too. I completed my Ed.S. entirely online from Northwestern State last May. The school's a hidden gem, and it pretty much remains one today. Some of us remain lucky enough to have found it. basrsu
Thanks for your input. Looks like both of you guys completed the Ed.S in Technology program. I will be doing the M.Ed in Ed. Technology. I wonder if there is any overlap of courses? By the way, how many hours a week did you average per class? I will be teaching full-time in the fall and will look to balance teaching/coursework...
Course rotation for the MEd Educational Technology: www.nsula.edu/ece/courserotation/edtech1.html Course rotation for the EdS Educational Technology: www.nsula.edu/ece/courserotation/edspecialist.html You will note that of the 12 courses for the MEd and the 10 courses for the EdS, you will take ETEC 5770, ETEC 5780, and ETEC 5790 for the MEd and you will take ETEC 5790 and choose between ETEC 5770 and ETEC 5780 for the EdS.
Hi Jared: I have lots of people in my classes (so far anyway) on the M.Ed program. As I move out of the introductory ETEC courses however I am guessing the overlap will decline. I plan to take one class per term for my first year. I have a very busy job, three children under the age of six and a demanding wife so my time is limited. I also coach basketball and run an international travel club for some of my students. I began the Ed.S because...I wanted to get started on my Ed.D and, as Basaru stated, NSU is a hidden gem which encouraged me to take the Ed.S slowly. I am not getting any pay raises and I'm not interested in promotions for the time being (my basketball team is getting very good and I love travelling with the students) so I'm not in a rush to finish. Having said this, I may take two courses a term next year as if I structure my time right, I should be able to do it. Then, in my third year, I'd "just" have to write my thesis proposal and thesis to finish out the program. I hope this helps! Ian PS - NSU is exceptional...you will NOT be dissappointed!