18-credit Executive MPA

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by sanantone, Mar 3, 2023.

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  1. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    It doesn't make any sense. This devalues both the "master's" degree and the "executive" qualifier. It isn't a degree; it's a certificate. But they're calling it a degree. Wow.
     
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  3. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    It sure doesn't. The Executive version breaks new ground -- 18 credits for a RA Master's degree. Yes - that's what it says - degree. That's by a good few the lowest-credit RA Master's I've seen. We had a hunt here at DI a while ago - and IIRC the lowest-credit schools were in the 25-29 range. And their Regional Accreditor (Middle States) has obviously approved it as a degree program - or they would't be offering it as such ...would they? So, where's the Groupon?

    ASU should have a program like this. Their free 15-credit grad certificate + one 3-credit course - you'd have a Master's!

    "Fastest Master's in the West."

    Wanted: Artist for University ad. campaign. Must have experience with Gun-slinger Posters. :)
     
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  4. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Afterthought: This pioneering of an 18-credit Master's seems particularly unusual to me, as it comes from a long-established Catholic University.

    "Marywood University is a private Catholic university in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Established in 1915 by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Marywood currently enrolls more than 2,800 students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs."

    But what do I know...? Anyway, I hear Marywood has changed some. They admit men, now. :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2023
  5. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    I wonder if MSCHE approved this "degree"!!
     
  6. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I'm figuring they must have, Chris. Can't see a 100+ year-old school like Marywood jumping the gun. They'd know better .... wouldn't they? But, like I said, what do I know?
     
  7. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    I'll tell you when I hear back from Middle States.
     
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  8. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Thanks. Please do!
     
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Just out of curiosity, I read this article about 6-18 month master's. According to them, 30 credits are the usual min. standard. The only way that usually gets cut down is by applying prior credits earned. If this EMPA is really a master's - we're definitely not in Kansas anymore, Toto! Oh, right. This is Pennsylvania! I forgot...

    https://www.edsmart.org/quickest-masters-degree-programs-online/
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2023
  10. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Program requirements from HLC. Can't see how they'd be much different for any other Big 6 Accreditor..

    "...conforms to commonly accepted minimum program length: 60 semester credits for associate’s degrees, 120 semester credits for bachelor’s degrees, and 30 semester credits beyond the bachelor’s for master’s degrees. Any exception to these minima must be explained and justified.

    Maybe on this EMPA, there was a "whole lotta explainin' and justifyin' goin' on." :) I'd like to hear about that.
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2023
  11. Messdiener

    Messdiener Active Member

    That is a rather short program!

    Then again, might it be close to or equivalent to the one-year European masters out there?
     
  12. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Too bad tuition is $824 per credit [​IMG]

    With fees, it winds up being a bit over $15,602. So, not bad overall for an MPA, but only because there are so few credits.
     
  13. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    A propio, maybe... but we don't have those, here ....yet. ....Um - do we?
     
  14. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Is the school giving a leg up to "executives" by assuming they need less content to reach the master's level of learning and competence? Is that why this certificate-long thingy is being called a master's degree? I hope not, and for a couple of good reasons.

    As we know, accredited schools do not give credit for life experience. At all. Some give credit for learning outside of the classroom. This is assessed by the school, however, indirectly through examinations for credit and/or directly by a learning portfolio process. But this is NOT credit for work or life "experience."

    Also, this is almost never done at the master's level.

    So, I doubt that's the case here.

    But in this case, "executives" are being asked to take a truncated curriculum in order to receive their "master's degree." Not. Buying. It.
     
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  15. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    I'm wondering if OPM would put its foot down on this one when it comes to federal employment.
     
    Rich Douglas likes this.
  16. Messdiener

    Messdiener Active Member

    Even official degrees in Spain, Sweden, Germany, and many other countries can be completed in a year. These are rated as 60 credit (ECTS) degrees, and numerous nations offer them.

    Of course, longer degree programs with 120 credits (or more) exist and are often the norm, but they are not the only offerings available in Europe.

    As to North America, you're spot on. This is definitely an innovation and far from the norm in that part of the world.
     
  17. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Indeed. And I think "innovation" might be an over-generous description. Time will tell. BTW 60 ECTS = 30 US credits, for all intents and purposes. An accepted minimum for Master's Degrees. My "propio" remark was a rather weak joke - I'm sorry. I was trying to suggest that maybe this 18-credit thingy was the first US grado propio on record. Lo siento. :oops:
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2023
  18. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Some people have degrees that need explanations. I make jokes that need them. Both lame. But I think the degrees are worse - if only by a little bit.
     
  19. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Some people have degrees that need explanations. I make jokes that need them. Both lame. I think the degrees are somewhat worse.
     
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  20. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Twice as much, apparently! :)
     
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