52 Year Old seeks Masters - quickly and cheaply

Don't fault the guy for playing the game. He is simply trying to meet the requirements for a position he would like to attain. Have you never done anything you didn't see the value in simply to get ahead? I know plenty of people who did MBAs simply to advance in their organization with no desire to get anything from the courses.
I highly doubt the OP will find a legitimate masters he can finish in under a year, though. Personally, I'd do the degree at in Ed Tech at Mizzou. I, and several people I have talked with who have pursued M.Ed degrees, agree the graduate level education classes are (relatively) easy. I had courses at the undergraduate level that were far more challenging than the courses I am In now. There is some busy work that takes a decent amount of time (several hours of my Saturday and/or Sunday are spent on homework that I donn't find particularly challenging) but the work load is nothing compared to the core curriculum of my MBA program.

 

I have learned a lot over the years and my experience should count for much more than the title of a Masters. I have run my own businesses and did it on just a BA degree. No one at any time ever asked what my degree was in when I was signing their check!

Just because you have a "Masters" in something does not mean that you are any better than anyone else so get over yourself. You probably have never had the responsibility of running your own business or ever had to meet a payroll. In fact, you are probably still in school, looking for another degree that your parents are paying for.

 

Ouch. Coming from you that really stings.
:yawn:

 

That made me chuckle. You used emocons to display exactly what I was thinking.

Oldguard,

Find a university that offer the combination of accepting VESI or other quickly achievable credits and accepts the greatest amount of credit in transfer. Morningside, Adams state, etc.

 

If you need a Master's degree as easily and as cheaply as possible, and if a degree in any subject will fulfill the requirement, then you should check to see if your state exempts religious degrees from regulation.

Many states (though not all) waive some or all of their normal licensing requirements for unaccredited schools that offer religious degrees. As a result, it is possible for unaccredited religious schools to operate without meeting the academic standards normally applied to colleges and universities. Some of the schools that operate under religious exemptions have graduate-level programs that are very easy to complete, and quite inexpensive. In fact, certain unaccredited religious schools could be perceived as legal diploma mills.

I am not endorsing these kinds of degree programs, but it must be acknowledged that they do exist as a perfectly legal option in many states. Such degrees probably won't garner much respect, and some might regard them as unethical -- but they are legal degrees in many parts of the country. Many US citizens -- possibly including some members of this forum -- would strongly defend the rights of religious schools to issue religious degrees without government interference.

However, you would need to review your local laws and regulations before obtaining or advertising an unaccredited religious degree. In some states, such degrees are perfectly legal; in other states, their use may be restricted or barred.

 

I hear what you are saying broheim. However, it is going to be hard to find an "accredited" school that offers easy Masters level courses. Aspen has various Masters programs, and many (probably predisposed to business) have finished the MBA in a year. My forte is literature, so it took me 2 years. AS MC said, for the what you need, Aspen is probably the best bang for your buck. If you are into IT and have some certs, you can get a lot of credit towards the Masters in IT as well.

Abner

 

Thanks. I appreciate the info. BTW, not trying to be an a$$ with my replies to certain posters, but just trying to find the fastest, cheapest way to get a Masters. I have extensive business (and life) experiences and skills and I don't want to discredit the work required for a Masters, it's just that when you are my age, a degree should not determine your worth or hireability (if there is such a word). But, it seems that the industry I am looking at seems to place a certain degree of importance of one having a Masters.

 

I certainly hear what you are saying. Sometimes you have no choice but to play the system - they won't let you do it any other way!

 

Since you are pretty anonymous here, do you mind sharing the profession that has a hard requirement of a Master's degree in any subject? Something in education or government, maybe?

 

Yes, you are correct, with you amount of experience and undergrad degree, it should be sufficient. This is the problem. It is a buyer's market right now employer wise. Jobs that used to require a BS/BA now want a MBA/Masters. Why? Because there are so many applicants, employer's have the luxury of being able to pick the "best cut of meat" so to speak. I am not saying this is right, but that is how it is right now.

Please tell us more about your background. This will help us come up with more ideas. How long is the job open for? Will the employer consider hiring you while you do your Masters? Sometimes employers like the thought of a freshly minted Masters grad. Let us know more ok?

Abner

 

Hi Abner,

The industry that I am entering is college coaching. The Athletic Director's seem to think that a Masters Degree is a requirement for being a good coach. They don't care really what it is in, just that I have one.

 

The industry that I am entering is college coaching. The Athletic Director's seem to think that a Masters Degree is a requirement for being a good coach. They don't care really what it is in, just that I have one.

 

Maybe you would forego ease for relevance.

Home - United States Sports Academy

 

It's astonishing how higher education is being corrupted by higher education. Good luck in finding your program, and I'm sorry you have to play the game. I agree it's ridiculous.

 

That does seem like a really odd requirement for coaching. I could see it being considered a plus if you had a degree in a related field, but a hard requirement of any masters seems ridiculous.

Since it is a college, you might want to find out if they have any requirements about the accreditation of the school you get the degree from. I think they tend to be more strict about that than most other industries.

 

So why not earn a masters that is appropriate such as coaching or psychology, or earn a degree that you could use in another job should the coaching job fall thru (Here in California coaches are being let go in high schools, college and universities (e.g. UC Berkeley) due to budget issues).

 

That's bullshite! Are those or have those requirements been stated in writing? If not, you may want to check with a union rep if you work for a state/public shool. Here are some questions the Steward may ask: Have they promoted people to the position before without a Masters? That type of thing. It doesn't hurt to check. If they insist that you have a Masters, why don't they give you a year or two to complete it while working in the position? You see where I am going with this.

Good luck,

Abner