Master's Degree Complete!

Congratulations! You should feel very proud of your achievement, and thanks for all the updates and information on this program! It's invaluable for others seeking the same educational path.

Cheers,
Adrienne

 

Mary and others, I think Nobycane is already a teacher. In previous posts he says he is a HS Science teacher. I agree, however, that a additional certs are good and national professional certification, if he doesn't already have it, is good to get and will be more of a requirement in coming years.

Nobycane, congratulations and good luck on the PhD!

 

Congratulations!! Wow, an AA, BS, MS, and then a PhD. Are you going to do an M.D. after your PhD?

 

Thank you to all who have replied.
Yes, I am a HS Science Teacher in SW Florida, and have a full state professional certification. To someone who posted earlier, FL does recognize the Montana State degree, so that I can move up on the salary scale.

Interestingly enough, this fall I am about to begin my National Board Certification. I am doing this for a couple of reasons... obvisously it makes me a highly qualified teacher and I can go just about anywhere in the country if I move, but the other reason is that I cannot pass up the oppertunity for the salary increase once it is completed......an additional 11%/yr!
Plus, I have heard it is a little more easier to do the National Board Certification shortly after completing an advanced degree...because you are already in that writing "mode" per se.
Not to mention my wife said that is some good extra money to get especially since the state is paying for 95% of the costs. So why not!!!!

Thanks.

CHEERS!

 

Ha Ha......I do not think I have enough space in my head for that much education... plus, I don't think my ego can handle it!

 

YES.........besides doing the National Board Certification, which I will mainly focus on at my teaching school.
I am not going to do any academics for at least a year!!! I am tired (right now) and mentally exhausted....I have been at it, off and on, for 8-9 years now.
I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and I feel like I have missed a little bit of her growing up while I have been doing my education.... I realized it was a little sad when she was just about ready to turn two, she would say to my wife; "....sshhh, daddy is doing homework in his office - we need to be sleeping." And that bothered me for a long time........ so I made a promise to my wife and daughter that I would spend time away from getting advanced degrees to be with my family - that have sacrificed a lot in the meantime. Plus, my advisor (who has become my friend), also made me promise too!

So, yea - I am taking the advise and taking a nice break!
Maybe I can finally clean and reorganize my office to make look half-way presentable???

 

From someone with 7 kids myself - you do owe it to your wife and daughter to take some time off and reconnect. One of the reasons why my Ph.D. program is going slower than originally planned is that after I was deployed to Iraq for a year - that I was going to take my time with the degree and try not to sacrifice too much family time chasing down the doctorate. I'm fortunate, my employer pays my tuition and my chair is overwhelmingly supportive.

I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon with my 2 sons and 34 of their closest friends for Boy Scout Camp, with a dissertation proposal that requires a bit more tweaking before going to committee. A few years ago, I would have felt guilty about leaving unfinished work behind...now I don't.

Enjoy the time with your family, and go after the doctorate when YOU are ready to do it! Best of luck.

Shawn

 

YES. He has indicated that this is a new(er) type program that Montana State University is attempting to get off the ground. They have all the accrediation for the program and such.... but right now, according to my advisor, they are only opening it up to their alumni or graduates into the program to work out all the bugs and to see how much interest it is generating within MSU programs and amongst the alumni's. Since many of the graduates of their MSSE (Master of Science Science Eduation) program have been requesting the same format of degree in a docorate.....they are pursuing this avenue.
I think (don't quote me here) that the program may be open to anyone within the next 3-4 years?
I believe the degree program is also working closely and connected to University of Montana and Missoula......a triangulation type of thing.

My advisor will be sending me more specifics on the program here in the next two months.Then I can relate the details to everyone here who may be interested.

Cheers!

 

Online Doctorate Program UPDATE!

Ok, after a month or so my advisor has brought me up to date on this program. Which ironically I am getting a lot interest in my research from my Masters which will continue into my doctorate. Which I like to call it the research sequel.

Here is how it works:
It is a consortium of five universities collaborating in Montana, Colorado and Oregon. The program brings the varied expertise of scientists, mathematicians, and educators to address current challenges in understanding and improving student learning and achievement in science and/or mathematics from middle school through college. Work includes fundamental research and related activities focused on serving high needs populations in urban and rural settings. The program supports an interdisciplinary research agenda, a doctoral graduate curriculum, inservice professional development and pre-service teacher preparation, much of it delivered through distance technology. With the exception of a summer residency requirement to present your dissertation and research in the form of a symposium and a defense with your research committee.

This actually parallels the Montana State University's MSSE degree program as far as format goes..... 95% online, 5% on campus requirement

The following universities are involved in the doctoral program/process:
Montana State University, Lead Institute
Colorado State University
Portland State University
University of Montana
University of Northern Colorado

There are a total of 9 primary courses....additional courses vary depending on your subject area. For example, my background area is in Earth & Environmental Sciences. The program and advisors my determine and require that I might need to take "X" amount of hours in Environmental Science to coincide with my research to ensure that my coursework and research are balanced.

My advior indicated that one can choose three different types of degrees; Ph.D., Ed.D, or Ed.S. Depending which specific doctorate degree you are wanting to pursue and the subject area will determine which of the following (above) universities you will finialize your degree and research at.

For Example, since I am continuing on with the "science education" aspect of my research, and using the subject area of Earth & Environmental Sciences, then I can obtain my doctorate (Ed.D.) from Montana State University. Or If one wanted to pursue an Ed.D in Mathematics Education...then it could be awarded from MSU, UM, or even PSU. Though, if one specifically want a Ph.D. in Biology or Chemistry....then any of the above universities are possible - it depends on the specific research topic, and/or available faculty and advisors.

Right now, this is open to any alumni from the 5 univeristies..... so in my case I am an automatic "shoe-in" because my M.S. was from Montana State Univeristy. Tuition is pretty reseasonable from what I could see....doctoral courses carry tuition of $350/semester credit (for courses delivered by Universityof Northern Colorado,University of Montana,Montana State University, or Colorado State University or $265/quarter credit for courses delivered by Portland State University.

That is all I have right now....... My advisor indicated that is should take me 2-3 years to complete.

Sounds really interesting and I am going to begin this January!!!!

If I have any additional information.....I will post it.

CHEERS!

Jay

 

And so when do you go for the PhD?

 

Based on my previous post on the details of the doctorate program.....I will begin in Jan/Feb 2008,

Here I go again....

CHEERS!