Effectively Using Credits?

Discussion in 'Education, Teaching and related degrees' started by MrElijah, Feb 25, 2017.

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  1. MrElijah

    MrElijah New Member

    I am currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Psychology with a minor in Educational Technology from a brick and mortar institution. I am now very interested in Educational Technology and have taken additional classes outside of my minor. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience transferring credits at the PhD level to masters level. I would like to get a MEd from the same institution in Educational Technology, but I do not want to take the classes I’ve taken over. The MEd also requires classes I've taken as part of my PhD program. So what I am basically asking is can I transfer classes I've taken at the PhD level in a different program of study and apply them to a masters degree.


    Has anyone does this before? Can it be done?

    Thanks for your help.
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I would think it would be a simple matter to walk down the hall (so to speak) and just ask them.
     
  3. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    +1
    The rules that dictate the answer are not generally accepted practices, these are going to be school-specific.
     
  4. MrElijah

    MrElijah New Member

    Brilliant!
     
  5. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    In many PhD programs, especially in the sciences, "transitional Master's" is routinely awarded to PhD students who accumulate the credits. In other programs, MSc is only awarded to students who wash out of the PhD - as a consolation prize. So yeah, this is done but is very school- and department-specific. Ask internally.
    When I was doing my PhD, I asked my program's Associate Chair whether I can get a MSCS when I complete 33 credit hours (essentially the same as the course portion of the PhD - I would only have to make sure distributions between "Software", "Systems" and "Theory" classes). I was told that, yes, they could do that, by filing paperwork to switch me from PhD to MS program, graduate, and then admit again. To do that, I would have to check with the DSO at International Centre to make sure it won't affect my international student status in SEVIS. I decided it's not worth the hassle; it's better not to mess with Immigration if you don't have to (presumably not a concern for you). I eventually bucked up and graduated, so the point is moot. Also, I tried to ask if I can use my credits to get an interdisciplinary Certificate in Neuroscience or some such. Again, yes, and in fact that was the normal thing to do to gain the Certificate - but the department was at that time tightening rules on financial support, and my assistantship would not cover courses from different departments.
     

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