I just finished my second masters degree thanks to Dr. Bear and this site!

Back in 1998, with no academic credits, and a body that could no long take being a martial arts instructor full time, I picked up a copy of Dr. Bear's book.
I studied it like I had never studied before. I was intrigued with the many options available to a person who had spent his life learning but had no degree to show for the trouble.
In 2002, I began my journey, worked through a bachelors degree at Charter Oak in two years using clep, dante and two gre's.
In May of 2004, I was accepted by Queens University of Charlotte's Low rez MFA program. It was officially a fall start date to that program, so I also began my MSCE (Masters of Science in Continuing Education: whatever that means) in Counseling/Psychology distance program at University of West Alabama.
I gained six fast credits in the psych program but put UWA on hold until I finished the MFA. The program was wonderful and a great way to gain a "terminal" degree so I could teach at the university level.
I graduated in May of 2006 and started at UWA immediately. The program was only a 33 credit degree, but no one could be license as a counselor with only 33 credits, so I stayed in.

In the spring of 2008, my world was wreaked. My wife left me for someone else, taking my children to parts unknown. I was devastated. Many nights were spent debating further breathing in and out on this particular planet.
After an academic career of perfect 4.0 averages, I failed one class after another. My will was gone, and I was lost.
Time, and a wonderful woman intervened, and I was able to gain my intellectual abilities in the late summer. I gained a position teaching writing online, and I continued my masters program past the 48 credits needed for NC licensing, gaining 54 instead. I took my comps two weeks ago. Today, my comprehensive examination is registered as 100%, (P/F) my last class finished with the usual "A" and I am through.
Thanks to all of you OG members here, especially Dr. Bear. I finished, and I am now starting my Interdisciplinary Masters in CJ and History at WNMU. It's a fun program, and I get to watch cowboy movies for CREDIT!
Again, thank you all for your support and your advice. I could NOT have done any of this without you.
Dan Burrello MCSE, MFA

 

Congratulations Dan! I'm glad your life turned a corner for you and best wishes going forward.

 

Thanks Kevin

That's mucho appreciated!

 

Congratulations!

BTW, I was in your town a couple of month ago.

 

Congratulations Dan. Best wishes and I hope your education pays dividends!

 

Thanks!

One should never underestimate the value of a support community.

 

What a great success story. Thanks for sharing and congrats!

 

By golly, sir, your inspiring tale has actually nudged me a few steps closer to doing a 17th edition of Bears Guide. Thank you for sharing, and for your kind words.

--John Bear (still waiting to find out if Random House, which bought
Ten Speed Press wants a new edition, or if they are going to
cut it loose)

 

Wow, that's definitely impressive! I'm glad you made it and congratulations!

 

Go for it, Dr. Bear!

 

Wow!! I am at a loss for words! Thank you for that inspiring story. You are a great example of getting knocked down and fighting to get back up.

I wish you the best of luck and congrats!

Ray

 

Wow!

Thanks for the positives everyone and YES...please do another Dr. Bear!

 

Everything in life happens for a reason - to expose you to problems to see how you handle sometimes very difficult situations... congrats on being a very strong person who has overcome some of life's most difficult challenges!

 

Dr. Bear,

I have read many of your previous editions and I would certainly purchase the 17th edition. Please try to do it.

Sidney

 

Jodokk,

Many of us have been through matrimonial disaster. I am glad that you have made it through. It is not easy but life can be very good after we bounce back.

Sidney

 

What a wonderful story and a testimony to hard work and persistence. Obtaining higher degrees really is a test of endurance and you certainly have shown that you have that quality! Congratulations.

BTW - Would you mind sharing the name of Dr. Bear's book? I am a new member to this site and am really curious about this book that you speak so highly of.

 

Jodokk,

Congratulations, two masters degrees is enough to be congratulated for, but perservering in such difficult circumstances is even more admirable. Many people have perfectly justifiable reasons to quit, and for those that keep going such as yourself the victory is all the more sweet.

All the best for the future,

Dave C.

 

John has written a number of books and many of them have run through numerous editions. Many of us own multiple editions. I have the 14th and the 16th editions of "Bear's guide to earning degrees by distance learning." I like the 14th edition best. Once upon a time I owned a copy of the Education Degrees book but I loaned it to someone and never got it back (those waifs again). Here's a link that might help:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=john+bear&x=18&y=12

 

Kizmet: "I like the 14th edition best."

John: Me too (with the 15th a close second). I've never quite forgiven the publisher for refusing to pony up the funds to hire an indexer for the 16th, which makes it a less useful book.

(Indexing is a skilled profession, and using a well-trained one is often essential.)

 

Thank you everyone. And here is a link to Dr. Bear's Book.

http://www.amazon.com/Bears-Earning-Degrees-Distance-Learning/dp/1580086535/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248665566&sr=8-1