Ed.D. and 2nd M.S. at same time?? oops!

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by nobycane, Feb 6, 2010.

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  1. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    Hi - ya'll
    Been awhile since I have posted a question where I needed advise......but, I am in need of alternate points of view and suggestions to a little odd scenario I accidentally put myself into.

    Ok, here it is.......... while I am working on completion of my Ed.D. from Montana State University, in GeoSci Edu & C& I......I have been taking graduate level geoscience courses from Mississippi State University's Geoscience program. Originally, I had planned to transfer a couple of these geoscience courses into my Ed.D. program to compliment my research and program of study - which has already been approved and signed off, and I will be defending in Apr 2011.

    However, I kept taking these geoscience courses at will, to boost and strengthen my geoscience content area over the last year or so, to build a solid portfolio of geoscience courses so I can teach in the Earth Sciences at the college level...which now I have well over 60 hours at the grad level in this Sci area (between my original MS and this other institution).

    Where this gets a little strange.......Miss St. U. has indicated to me that if I take their last three geoscience courses, and do their capstone field course (or whatever they want to call it).......I will be awarded a Master of Science in Geosciences. So really I wasn't paying attention to how many I was really taking over the years from them, because I was enjoying the courses within their program.

    So what do I do here? If all goes as planned, I will have my doctorate in a year, and I could easily have another M.S. by Aug of 2011. How does this look on a transcript and cv, being degree'd in the order of BS, MS, Ed.D. MS?

    What do I do here? I am very confused on how to look at this situation?

    Help and thanks in advance!
     
  2. bazonkers

    bazonkers New Member

    Finish it up! No one will care about the dates. If they ask, just tell them what you told us. Getting a Masters in Education after an EdD would be weird but the MS in Geosciences is clearly different enough from an education degree. It's also different enough from your first masters degree as that also seems more education related. This new MS seems more hard science focused and I think it makes your resume much stronger regardless of the order. There are people with PhDs that go back for an additional masters in a different but related area much like your situation. I wouldn't sweat it.

    I'm thinking of getting a PhD in History at some point but that won't stop me from pursuing other masters programs if it's something I really find interesting.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 6, 2010
  3. sshuang

    sshuang New Member

    There is definitely nothing wrong with that.

    I had an accounting professor at SFSU who took a cost accounting course at a community college for CPE. Nobody raised any question.
     
  4. It seems like you are doing all right anyway. If you are coping with the workload and can afford it, keep going as you are
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Not only do I think there is nothing wrong with it...I think it is a great idea! Of course, you need to look at the group you are asking advice from :rolleyes:
     
  6. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef



    I asked a similar question with my resume, I'm going back for an associate degree in nursing- which will come after my other degrees. The overwhelming reply was that it didn't matter- and also, I'll be listing mine from highest to lowest, not chronologically, so you could do that as an option.
     
  7. scaredrain

    scaredrain Member

    Hey there it will not really matter when you finished the degree or courses. I am in the same situation. I am currently working on an Ed.D from Capella and started taking some free graduate courses in Information Security from the university where I work. I have taken enough credits to have another Masters by the beginning of 2011. I am going to take the Masters and earn my Ed.D also! If anything it makes you a stronger candidate and its better to have the credits organized, instead of just floating around out there.
     
  8. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    Thank to all who have replied so far -
    It really is not a matter of course load or difficulty, because I am used to the format of the courses anyways...we are talking about three courses and a capstone field trip project in the summer for like a week....eh no biggie, I suppose.

    The cost factor should not be an issue, the courses are only running about $800/per course...so I am looking at about $3200 for the remaining of the courses/program + travel expenses for the summer thing.

    I have thought about off and on, and I think it would make my credentials impressive and very marketable for transitioning into a FT college teaching position. I played around with editing my cv to see what it would look like, and I found out the placing the order of degree level rather than award date seems the best layout rather than the order of award...because it looks strange.

    I guess it all comes down to desire and time - which, if I am forced to conduct rewrites or my defense is delayed, then getting the additional MS would be fine - I also, in the back of my mind it seems like (right now) a good investment and move. Now, what my wife will say is a whole other story..... ;-)
     
  9. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    That is where I am when it comes to an MBA after my PhD...;)
     
  10. mbutch

    mbutch New Member

    EdD information

    I am a high school science teacher in central Illinois and am also an adjunct at our local community college. I am very interested in the EdD from Montana State University. Could we communicate by PM about the program. Thanks so much.
     
  11. mbutch

    mbutch New Member

    EdD from MSU

    I remember that you posted a few years ago about financial aid from MSU. Is that still available? I have four children with three in college at this time, so I can't really justify this without some help. Thanks.
     
  12. mbutch

    mbutch New Member

    Need to Talk

    Nobycane, How could I get ahold of you so that I could ask a few questions? Thanks for your help.
    Mark
     
  13. bazonkers

    bazonkers New Member

    I know I answered your question earlier but I just wanted to add that your post made me curious about the program at Miss St. It looks great! I might end up enrolling down the road for something else to study after I get done with my History degree.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 17, 2010
  14. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    Yeap......looks like I have decided to enroll - I am all set to finish the remaining courses by end of next summer.... another MS to add to resume'!

    * Plus, wife says it was ok.....for those who were wondering? ;-)
     
  15. PhD2B

    PhD2B Dazed and Confused

    As long as your wife says its okay, then you are good to go! :)

    I think you are making a great decision. As long as the additional courses don't hinder your progress on the EdD, then by all means, pick up the second master's.
     
  16. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    Well..... I have made a serious decision here regarding my doctorate degree.

    I have decided to withdrawal permanently from the Ed.D. program...simply because my advisor and I could not simply agree on the research dissertation topic... they wanted me to go into a direction that I was not comfortable with and it appeared that my ideas and research topics were being put aside and I was being forced to do their research in lieu of mine - which essentially made it seem that I was doing their research rather than mine. The conflict came to a head this past spring and was not able to switch advisor due to the department and program being so small and isolated.

    Therefore, I made the decision to walk away due to a conflict of interest...

    However, I am still on the track to graduate with my 2nd Master's from Miss St. U. in Geosciences by summer 2011...which is the positive news.

    Thanks to all the support and suggestions and advise here recently.
    I will keep you all up to date.

    Cheers!
     
  17. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I remember this thread and, not too long ago, was wondering whatever became of you. Are you planning on enrolling in another doctoratoral program... or have you decided to emancipate yourself from mental slavery? :)
     
  18. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    I am in the exact same boat. I will hopefully finish my DPA at Valdosta State in December. At that point, I will be three classes away from an MS in Emergency Management at Jacksonville State.

    I am not worried, I just consider it as additional specialization coursework to complement my Doctorate.

    I have gotten to where I think I am just going to remove the dates from degrees on my resumes listed in order from highest to lowest.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 7, 2010
  19. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    Thanks for asking and remembering! :D
    I have decided that since I had finished all the coursework - but did not take the comps, and not really declared an ABD....it would be rather difficult to transfer these C&I courses into another institution. Plus, I was rather bored with the C&I program and discovered that by the time I reached the planning of research and early dissertation stage - my heart was not into it; and I did not want to be a college instructor teaching teachers (which was a secondary goal). So my love and passion has always been in the Geosciences anyways....so I am going to stick with that.

    However, the way I look at it, the C&I work is just another perk on my cv of additional coursework completed in this area. ;-)

    Plus, I am not sure I have it in me to revisit the doctoral avenue anymore...a secondary Master's is about it for me.
     
  20. bazonkers

    bazonkers New Member

    Can you talk about the MS Geosciences program at Miss State U? How much and what kind of homework do the classes have? Are there papers to write or is it mainly exams and homework? Any info is appreciated.
     

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