Deakin or UCQ-creative writing ?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Opalese, Nov 28, 2003.

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  1. Opalese

    Opalese New Member

    Hello,
    I am brand new here, and thank heavens I found you all!
    I was wavering between Warnborough U and Bircham, not knowing which would offer me a more 'credible' DL degree in creative writing. Of course, after reading the many posts on this great forum, I realised what a terrible mistake I'd have made either way.

    I have a question, please. I've been reading lots of comments in the forum on Deakin U and Central Queensland, and have check both websites out for the creative writing MA M Litt degrees. Which would you say is a better choice, in terms of a more sound, credible degree?
    Deakin's choice of courses seems exciting, particularly their combination of literature and writing, but they haven't replied to my query yet. USQ on the other hand, have been very helpful so far, though their website is a little less appealling than Deakin's.
    I am seeking something entirely distance, and not overboard in terms of fees, and of course a REAL institute, not a sham. So far, these two universities seem to be my only options.

    Any suggestions, please?

    Best wishes,
    Opal.
     
  2. jcryan

    jcryan New Member

    Creative Writing

    Hello Opal,

    Welcome to the boards! To begin with, don't worry, both degrees are sound and credible. Select the one that fits your needs and also search around for others (i.e. Fort Hays Master of Liberal Studies, CSUDH MA Humanities) before committing. You may want to check my website www.freewebs.com/dlasap for links to DL humanities programs.

    I'm enrolled in CQU's Master of Letters (MLitt) in Creative Writing and consider the MLitt one of the most flexible humanities distance learning degrees on Earth. It consists of 50% coursework (two general creative writing, one poetry, one short story) and 50% manuscript in a genre of your selection. The CQU MLitt degree is extraordinarily protean in that one can choose from 7 or 8 humanities or social science streams (concentrations), of which creative writing is one, or one can take an interdiscipinary route and combine various courses. The Deakin MA in Writing and Literature offers less flexibility but is certainly a solid degree from a well-reputed university. If I recall correctly, the Deakin degree is also about US $4000 more expensive.

    Choose the CQU degree (1) if you are interested in doing creative writing at the postgraduate level (2) if you are unsure but would like to have the option of doing creative writing (3) if you would like to combine literature, creative writing, history, welfare studies, etc (4) if you are unsure of your track in the humanities or social sciences but would like to have the option of focusing on one of several concentrations (5) if you want to cut costs

    Don't choose the CQU degree (and either go for Deakin or Fort Hays, for example): (1) if you're uncomfortable with the rare degree nomenclature of MLitt (Master of Letters) and would prefer a "straight" MA (2) if you want broad exposure to a variety of instructors- if you decide to select a concentration rather than an interdisciplinary liberal arts track, you will work with only one or two professors only (3). if you want an Australian-equivalent MFA in Creative Writing, which is the MCA (MAster of Creative Arts). The MLitt in Creative Writing is NOT equivalent to the MCA in Creative Writing, the latter requiring a portfolio for admission and a higher level of manuscript revision and theoretical development, etc.

    Best of luck to you!
    -John
     
  3. Opalese

    Opalese New Member

    Hi,
    Thanks for your wonderful feedback, John. I will take a look at your website before I finally decide. I had a closer look at CQU-the fees there are just over $10,000 Aus. I didn't realise Deakin was more expensive that that! I must have been looking at the fees for the locals.
    My passion is creative writing, definitely, though I do write a lot of non fiction articles. I think what attracted me to Deakin in the first place was the professional writing diploma, which has a bit of everything in it, but The M Litt at CQS is also interesting because of the different concentrations. In any case, I will be sure to explore your website before I decide which way to go.

    Best wishes,
    Opal
     
  4. Peter French

    Peter French member

    If you peruse the Australian Higher Education Supplement recently you will find some adverse comments regarding CQU ...

    I would have no hesitation with Deakin in the context of your question. I have experience with them in delivering in a DL context [2002], and their content and delivery strategy is good, and better than many others. Also yoo will never find any eyebrows raised at their degrees ... hope this helps.

    I will let you form your own opinion re CQU
     
  5. Peter French

    Peter French member

    Re: Re: Deakin or UCQ-creative writing ?

     
  6. jcryan

    jcryan New Member

    Hi Peter,

    RE: Higher Education Supplement. Would you point me the way to this resource or briefly summarize the CQU criticisms? I haven't been able to find it.
    Best
    -John
     
  7. Opalese

    Opalese New Member

    Thanks Peter. I will have a look at the supplement you mentioned. If I have any problems, I hope you don't mind me getting back to you.
    Please feel free to help me form an opinion on CQU. When there is a lot of money involved, and you don't know what you're getting, then it helps to receive as much input as possible.

    John, a friend of mine recently mentioned Swinburne. I didn't give it much thought until I saw them mentioned on your website. Their course seems quite a cocktail, but my friend is rather besotted with it. What do you think? Do they have a good reputation? I didn't like their webpage much, but I am not going to let impressions lead me. I'd rather get some feedback from others.
    I am including a little about my direction and interests so that you know what I'm looking for. I'm a freelance editor, and I've done a lot of writing for a parenting magazine. I have a short story published in a US magazine, and have been writing poetry since I was 7, though it has taken me ages to share this with anyone. So it's a bit of everything really. My ultimate ambition isn't teaching; it's becoming a really good writer and touching people's lives with my words.
    You don't need an MA for that, just commitment and plenty of sincere hard work to fuel whatever talent you've got. Personally, however, I think the challenge of a good course will give me the drive not to give up.

    Thanks for listening.
    Peace,
    -Opal
     
  8. MarkIsrael@aol.com

    [email protected] New Member

    My wife Rosie took a creative writing course from Harvard Extension. It was called "Advanced Fiction: Writing the Historical Novel"; and (like all Harvard's creative writing courses) it was on-campus, not distance learning.

    Rosie found that by far the most valuable part of the course was the "workshopping" where students critiqued one another's work. She found that feedback from the dozen or so students in the class was about a dozen times as valuable as feedback from the instructor alone.

    While it's conceivable to do this sort of thing online, I would urge you to check out writers' workshops in your area, or at least to make sure that your distance course offers a reasonably interactive format.
     
  9. Peter French

    Peter French member

    The Australian is a part of the News stable ...

    I am not going to publicly criticise CQU as I have friends there whom I respect, but several of the senior management have left, and several areas of their 'international' [campus based] operations are being reviewed.

    Put it simply, I would not discount Deakin too early or without very adequate reason.in comparing the 2.

    Swinburne is mentioned and is a good school with an excellent reputation, but as with any institution, faculties vary. I have also taught there but have no idea of their reputation in the area you menntion, whereas I am more generally conversant with Deakin.
     
  10. oxpecker

    oxpecker New Member

    See The Australian from 26-Nov-2003 (p. 27) for a story on the "secret" report on the probe into CQU's international operations, and the university's proposed overhaul in response.
     
  11. Peter French

    Peter French member

    Thank you ...

    Thankyou ... I don't keep everything I read or else ...

    ...and I won't quote it either as I do intend to live a little longer, and not having an OX pecker, am not prepared to get into Levicophian cock fights and public disputes :) :)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 30, 2003
  12. Opalese

    Opalese New Member

    Thanks, Mark, Peter, everyone for your advice. Mark you are right in saying that a face-to-face component makes a lot of difference to DL. My sister did a distance learning course with Surrey and I remember her writing to me that "This learning experience isn't just distance-it's damn lonely." I don't know if any workshops exist where I am right now. I will see what can be done in the summers, though summers are never mine; they belong to the kids, and being cute and persuasive, they usually get to plan them the way they like
    :D.
    Take care all, and thanks again ever so much for sparing a moment to reply.

    Best of everything, always

    Opal
     
  13. Michael

    Michael Member

    Opal,

    Check out Manchester Metropolitan University in England and also Southern Cross University in Australia.
     
  14. Opalese

    Opalese New Member

    Thanks Mike.
     

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