Hello, I hope everyone has had a great week. I'm curious about the difference in credit amounts need for various masters' programs. I'm seriously considering University of Western Sydney for myself which seems to have a program involving 7 courses and a practicum. This is the lowest credit amount I've read about, although I know Lawrie Miller will have something great to unveil. What have I missed? Thanks. Hille*****I don't mean easy, degree mill, or any other educational fiction.
Well . . . how about a Master's in Commercial Law for, shhhh - 4 courses? . . . How? If you have earned a USQ Master of Management or Master of Commerce, with a specialization in Law, it is possible (or actually you are, I think, guaranteed) to gain exemptions from 4 courses in the MCL program. Since the program is 8 courses in total, that leaves you 4 courses to complete to qualify for the degree. So, if you already hold a master's comprising appropriate credit (from USQ or elsewhere) it really is a 4-credit masters degree. Further, the same Master of Commercial Law accepts transfer of (apparently) any number of courses from certain incomplete programs. It could be then that the degree might be completed in one course in that situation (where it appears the normal 50% requirement does not apply). There are other possible combinations of programs and courses in other subjects that yield similar economy. I have not been able to find symbiotic programs of this kind where both principals are 8 courses in length. The form seems to be combinations of programs of 12 courses and 8 courses. Note that none of these degrees are joint degree programs. They are separate offerings with quite liberal articulation and transfer policies (seems a not unknown practice in Oz). The holy grail would be combining programs where one transferred 7 of the 8 required courses from an incomplete degree, then after completing the remaining required course and having been awarded the new degree, gaining the resultant exemptions from half the requirements of a second 8-credit degree on the basis of the award of the first degree (2nd degree thus becomes a 4-credit degree). Thus a university will have awarded two master's degrees for a total of 5 courses drawn from its own programs. One can imagine the less scrupulous then returning to the institution where the original 7 courses were earned, and completing that original degree program, thus establishing a record 4 credits per master's degree. Now, it is possible to earn a degree by research only, and thus theoretically, in only one course, but that would be no economy nor anywhere near the bargain detailed above. Note also that the original 8-course Master of Commercial Law earned in 4 courses, would cost a grand total of about US $2,000 (at current exchange rates). So the pursuit of such a degree is an exercise in both economy and frugality. Laudable attributes, to be both celebrated and encouraged. References http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2002/business/programs/masters/mcomlaw/index.htm All programs noted are available via distance learning. (On a related note: for the frugal, a judicious mix of economy and quality, http://www.geocities.com/ba_in_4_weeks/masterslist.html for details of the $3000 MA in Imperialism and Culture from Sheffield Hallam University, UK) Lawrie Miller author of the forthcoming "Seven Weeks Study to an Accredited Master's Degree" http://geocities.com/BA_in_4_Weeks .
AND THE WINNER IS a new program, M.Ed. in Educational Computing from the University of South Australia, distance learning, total of four (4) courses for the master's degree. Cost US $4,000. These are "normal" courses, not double headers. http://www.gua.com/sis/public/csd.asp?current=program&shell=y&portalref=&spec=Y&r=5&cs=p&pcd=MMEU-D&ven=guasa&f= QUOTE . . . University of South Australia MMEU-D Master of Education (Educational Computing) Not yet available Full Program Description The Master of Education in Educational Computing specialisation is designed for people who are currently using computers in their teaching and who wish to further their knowledge of how computer and information technology can enhance teaching and learning. The courses cover varied aspects of the interface between technology and learning, and are relevant to a wide range of levels and course areas. This specialisation is an ideal choice for people who wish to feel at home in the classroom (real or virtual) of the future. Typical program structure and course progression The Master of Education (Educational Computing) requires the completion of four courses. Students would normally commence with 09233 Cognitive Approaches to Education, and complete three further courses to complete the award. Lawrie Miller BA in 4 Weeks http://geocities.com/BA_in_4_Weeks .
