18-credit Executive MPA

Spohara made a post about this on the other forum.

https://www.marywood.edu/public-administration-masters-degree

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I wonder if MSCHE approved this "degree"!!

 

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?

 

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

 

Thanks. Please do!

 

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/

 

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.

 

That is a rather short program!

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Twice as much, apparently!