Graduate school

[ellamay]

My issue of U.S. News and World Report with "Best Graduate Schools" ranking just got here and so I am thinking about going back to school.

The embarrassing thing is that this would be my third attempt at grad school. The first time I didn't even complete the semester; the second time I completed one semester going full-time and working part-time and had to go back to work full time because of financial concerns. Plus I think I had picked the wrong graduate field and just couldn't see myself completing a degree I didn't really have any interest in.

I am seriously thinking about trying for an online degree - apparently there are several accredited schools who have good programs now for MBAs and other master's degrees. Has anyone taken university classes online?

Has anyone gone back part-time for a grad. degree and kept working full-time? Is it doable?

[hlao23]

I think it depends on the degree. The schools will let you know. Certain programs, Social Work for instance, expect to work around people who are working full-time. EdD programs often work with this population as well.

My husband was working full-time when he got his masters in Psych. I dropped out of undergrad twice and grad school once. All good choices IMO. Things just weren't the right fit for me at the time. I was lucky enough to not have to work while I persued my MSW.

[LonghornGal]

Hi Ellamay,

There are several options out there besides the full time version. If you're planning to stay in your local area and work there, then you may be better off with a reputable "local" school than you would be with one of those "top" schools. If you're looking to make a major change in career/location/etc then a "top 25" school might be the one for you.

Have you looked into "part time" or "evening" programs? I'm full time at UT and the students in the PT or E programs really like it - they get the same professors and variety of choices, but can keep working and earning a paycheck. However, they don't have much personal time and have to actively work on having time for family activites, etc. Us full time students are racking up the loans but have plenty of time to hang out, be social, or look for our next job. Some of us are working part time or on a contract basis for people to help supplement our income.

Online programs are gaining more status. Again, a local online program may be better for you if you're looking at local employment or staying on with your current employer. Perhaps they even have a scholarship program that will help with money issues?

If you decide to apply to a program, be sure to address your previous attempts directly in the essay portions - explain what was going on in your life and how things are different now (or how you're going to approach them differently). As a person who evaluates applications for the UT program, we give bonus points to people who are forthright about lessons learned and look askanse at those with "unexplained" gaps or low grades and don't tell us why.

Feel free to PM me if you want more info!

--Kristin

[Clara]

Hey ellamay,

I finished my Masters last year while working full-time, and I start my PhD in July. I will also be working full-time while getting my PhD through a distance program. It requires me to travel to the school for a couple of weeks twice a year, but all other work is done on-line.

I encourage you to find a grad program that fits your needs. My PhD program actually requires that the students be working in their field and already have a Masters. Similarly, my masters program encouraged students to use work projects as their class projects. I know there's a program that's perfect for your needs, too! Good Luck!!!

[Molli526]

Hi Ellamay-

My DH is currently enrolled at DePaul University through a distance learning program. It is one of the top programs in his field - distance learning or not. He has been taking between 8-12 credits per term, depending on what we have going on with our lives. He "streams" (watches) the classes that were taped earlier in the day/ week. We have high speed cable modem, and we have yet to run into any problems. He goes to a local community college to take his exams with a proctor. DePaul faxes the test either the day of or day before to the proctor center and then DH takes the test with everyone else in his class, with the same amount of time etc. It has worked out really well for us. He gets to go to the university of his choice, while being at home. I know he would recommend that route to someone else in the same situation.

DH has cut his work schedule now that he is past the gen-eds. He works about 32 hours a week (4 days) with a lot of studying nights and weekends.

[Kay Henderson]

For me the key was to slow down. In my first assignment as a reading specialist, I realized that I needed a LOT more knowledge than I had. While teaching, I started graduate school. I took three classes my first semester and realized that I couldn't keep it up. I slowed down and ended up taking four years to get my masters, but I also kept my sanity and actually enjoyed the process.

Good luck!

Kay

Oh, also. I hired a weekly house cleaner during this period. I liked having one so well I kept it up for the rest of the time I was working.:D

[ReneeV]

Hi,
I work in Higher Ed in Financial Assistance, I have to say that more and more people are participating in distance learning programs. The programs are becoming more reputable and the offerings more varied.

I think that with the high costs of higher Ed and the current economic climate, distance learning programs will only grow and become better tuned to student's needs.

Good luck and hey, the third times a charm! Don't get discouraged, if it's really what you want to do.

Renée

[ktg0930]

Hi ellamay,

I am pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree through distance education and I love it! My program provides lectures on DVD with quizzes and exams on-line. We have a website with a bulletin/discussion board and other resources as well. I also attend class near my home three days a semester for group activities. The program is designed for working pharmacists so we can use our daily experiences to fulfill some of the assignment requirements.

It really works well for me because I can plan my school work around my other activities. I'm not tied to specific times for lectures and there is still good interaction with the professors through the discussion board.

Good luck in finding a program that suits your neeeds!
Kathy

[ellamay]

Thanks for the great info and support, everyone! Molli, that DePaul University distance program looks awesome - I was sad there wasn't a degree program that I was interested in. I have been researching and have come up with a couple of degree programs that look interesting - an MBA through Portland State and a Master's of Nonprofit Management through Regis in Denver. I am continuing to look around.

Based on my previous experiences, I think distance learning is probably a good option for me - I am pretty disciplined when it comes to getting things done on my own, so I think it will work. Thanks for the advice everyone!

[slknight]

You might want to look at Syracuse as well. I know they have a number of distance learning programs. The only problem is they are very expensive.

I got my Masters in Information Resource Management (similar to an MBA with MIS) several years ago. It was an interesting program. Some of the classes were done as a "residency," where you spend about a week there actually in an intensive class and then the rest of it is finished via distance. And some of the classes were all distance. They also offered a number of classes at their extension program in DC (where I was living at the time). So I got a nice combination of in a traditional classroom, in a residency, and via the computer.

I was working full time and usually took 2 classes a semester. It's definitely do-able. But one semester I planned my wedding too. That was too much. I about lost my mind.:p