Pursuing a Master's Degree

[1gr81ntheus]

I'm trying to decide on pursuing or not pursuing my Master's Degree at this time. I tried it once and it didn't work so now I feel like I need to but am afraid to try again. Not to mention my DH is still sulking at the wasted expense of the first attempt. I have one child that is 7 years old and needs me. Does anyone have a comparable experience?

 

[tia]

master's

i don't know how comparable this is, but:
took all the classes, aced them all, got to the project part...stalled...took 3 years "off"/dabbled with the project off & on, changed the project 4-5 times, really wasn't interested in it--took the entire 7 years i was allowed to complete the master's.....asked for and received an extension, continued to research for the project, paid for 1 credit (in order to continue being enrolled) in the fall, even though i had already paid for the entire 6 credits of the project, paid for 1 credit in the spring (to continue being enrolled). worked 11-5 everyday during my spring break....and had an almost total meltdown--i didn't want to do it, wasn't really interested, and was pretty sure i couldn't finish withing my time parameter--i was physically & mentally ill from the stress. i felt SO much better once i allowed myself to not finish. (yes, i know, really dumb, but a good decision for me and my family!)

so now (only a few weeks later!) i have started a new master's program--i would recommend it to you, but i just checked online and it doesn't look like they offer it in Louisiana--but it is worth checking out....

Lesley University in Mass. has a program where professors travel to several states to teach cohorts (groups of 18+ students) for graduate studies. they have "integrating arts in classroom", "reading", and "technology". i'm taking the arts program, and it is fun, hands-on, applicable, eye-opening. the cool thing about the program is it is 1 weekend a month (i liken it to national guard for teachers!) it takes 2 months to complete 1 course (3 credits); the whole program is 33 credits, so you're done in 22 months. you go friday night, all day saturday and all day sunday. even though this current weekend is sucking because of mother's day, i've enjoyed myself so far.

i did see where Lesley has on-line graduate programs. maybe something like this would work for you because you can do it from home and figure your own hours.

good luck!

 

[Gina TX]

Think about this

I started on my masters last summer. I have one more class that I am taking as soon as school is out and then putting together my project, etc. and I'm done. I have two kids, two step kids, a husband, full time job, and a lot of things going on in my life. I am 39 so yes I waited too. Then it just got to be too hard to go to school and work. This is what I found. I am doing mine online through Western Governors University wgu.edu. They are accredited in all 50 states. Each student has his or her degree aligned to the state standards in which they live. You do your classes online, have a full time mentor, your tests must be proctored, but you can choose your own proctor if they meet the criteria. For example I could go the local college and take my tests, but being a teacher it was easier for me to select my own. They have to be a teacher with 5 years experience, your tests must be taken at the workplace, and they must be supervised by the proctor, who signs off on each test electronically. They don't have semesters, but 6 month terms. So, your tuition is a set amount for six months and you can do as much as you can in the six months making your total tuition a lot less. They have scholarships and federal financial aid. I really love it. I would highly advise checking them out. I can work around my own schedule whenever I want. The more I do the faster I get done, no having to wait for classes to start and finish, etc. since you work at your own pace. I am hoping to be completely done by the end of the year. Since the last semester at school (work) has been so busy I just haven't done anything (with permission from my mentor) and I'm going to pick back up as soon as school is out. Of course I had already finished a class during this six month term, and will be starting another before my new term starts so I was able to do that. Good luck and you can do it. I know it's not easy no matter what, but this has really made it much easier on me.

 

[Tounces]

didn't

I did the same thing as Tia did. I was almost done-just had my thesis to do (project?) Anyway I didn't feel interested in it at all. I tried to see if I could do an alternative project instead of a 40 page thesis. I took extensions because it was hard to finish when I worked full time. I would have to start over the research because my advisor wanted only to most up-to-date references for it. I never did finish it. Sometimes I think I want to then I don't again. I'm thinking of something online for when I do. I'm wondering if they'll give me credit for my coursework of if I'll have to start all over again. Does anyone know? Sometimes it helps to not have it when I have to move so often (military) so I can get hired at a lower rate. Sometimes districts prefer a Master's though. I'll be able to stay put after another year here. So I'll be looking into it more after the final move.

 

[Gina TX]

Tounces

At Western Governors University they do give you credit for classes you have already taken. It will just transfer over like normal. Good luck.

 

[TeAcHeRinFL]

Master's online

You could try doing it online. That's what I'm doing. It's very cheap ($1900) and it only takes 14 months to complete. You only take 6 credits at a time also. Its from a regionally accredited college, so your degree is accepted in other states. The website is http://www.lessonlab.com. I am taking mine through Nova Southeastern University. I'll be getting an MA in Teaching & Learning with a concentration in Elementary Reading.

 

[imacacher]

Be Honest With Yourself

Why do you want the Masters degree? For the pay,or for the title.

I have no desire to have the M.Ed. after my name, and I know it. My grandparents offered to pay for me to stay at Penn State another year to get my Masters, but I had no interest.

I'll get my Masters Equivalency so I'll get the extra pay, but I won't have to do the thesis. I've always hated research papers, and I know this time won't be any different.

I'm taking classes through Canter and Indiana Weslyan and also through the local intermediate unit.

 

[1gr81ntheus]

Well . . .

I want it for the pay and the title because I would like to have the opportunity to do a different job in the school system if I chose to. In addition I'd like to have a healthy retirement check. Well, as healthy as it can be.

 

[NJ Teacher]

Masters

If you plan on remaining in teaching, it is definitely advantageous for you to earn a Masters as soon as you feel you can. I didn't get mine for the title, I could care less. I did get it for the career earnings. It also affects negotiations, because for everyone who does not have a Masters, it costs more of the settlement dollars to move those people through the guide incrementally, and that affects the raises everyone gets. Our district's last step before the Masters on the guide is B + 15. No other grad. credits earned kick in past those 15 until you earn a Masters. I got mine because I didn't want to be frozen at that step. It was frustrating for me because in my old district, you got paid for all grad. hours earned, and I was actually earning more than if I had a Masters. When I came here, it was different. I think the key is to find a program that works for your schedule, and is in an area that you are interested in. If you could find a colleague or two to take it with you, it makes the coursework easier. Good luck whatever you decide. I don't think my Masters made me a better teacher, and it was an endurance contest, and I had both comprehensive exams and a thesis. But, the pay raise was and still is worth it. I also had promised the retiring superintendent who hired me that I would get my Masters, and I kept my promise to him.

 

[tia]

tounces

i'm so sorry for you, tounces! (updating reference was a big one for me, too--i did it 3 times--duh!) depending on the school and the program, you MAY be able to transfer those credits--good luck!

 

[tia]

pay

in my district, you can't move up to the top of the pay scale without a master's. (you can only get so far and then you're stalled--that's where i am now--i'm actually making as much as a teacher with master's, just can't get those next 9 credits for a raise without actually having the blasted degree!) and, my retirement is figured on my last years of teaching, and i'd like those to be as high on the pay scale as possible!

 

[Ima Teacher]

Does your state have any requirements for it? Here you must have a Rank II certification or a masters within 10 years of finishing your internship to keep your teaching certificate.

I went ahead and jumped right in halfway through my second year of teaching, while I was still single, young, and had some energy. I finished in a year and a half. I've never taken any online courses, but one of my friends took several through a local university. She had to go to campus a couple of times a semester for each class, but most work was done online.

 

[Laura]

MA MEd or what ever

I agree with other posters that if you are planning to stay in teaching a masters is a necessity. If not for the pay or degree status for the bennifit of your career. I started my masters before I was married. My local college screwed me over more than twice (every class did not count after I saw another counceler). I too took time off and found a great program close to home. After being in the program three weeks I found out I was pregnant with my second child. She attended with me for a semester but stayed home after that. I finished my MA in 1999 only 9 years after my BS. I will have my MA+30 by summer's end. I have learned so much but better than that I will earn $4,000 more each year after I am done for the rest of my career. Retirement is looking good in 20 years with this boost!

 

[imacacher]

Pay

I guess it's different everywhere, because with a Masters Equivalency, I'll make the same amount as the teachers with a Masters degree.

I know that I don't want to be a reading specialist, special edu teacher, or administrator, which are the only jobs that would be available to me, in my district, only with a Masters.

With the equivalency, I'm eligible for the pay increase, I can be a student teacher supervisor and a mentor teacher for first year teachers.

 

[Just Me]

Go for it! I have two MS degrees. I make good money for a teacher. My wife has two also, and is the highest paid teacher in her district. Costs now, pays later!