MA in history
Jessica and Christopher Bowen
an MA in history, preferably AMerican or British and in my search had come
across the Monticello website. I admit I was taken in by the site; as some of
you have mentioned, it is a nice site. But like many of you, I had questions.
I emailed the registrar with my questions and got a responde from a Melissa
Kalinoff. She answered my question, but not as satisfactorialy as I would
have liked. One question I asked was if there were current students or alumni
that I could communicate with. (It seems to me that legitimate colleges would
be able to provide this type of references.) Her answer to me: "We normally
cannot give out names or addresses of students. We do have letters from
students that we could provide you with. [she attached a couple of glowing
letters.]
Now that I have read all the messages that relate to MU on this website, I am
even more wary than before. I am a beginning high school history teacher who
needs a Master's degree to get re-certified. (We get five years.) Most of
the traditional programs I have looked into want me to get an MEd, which I do
not want. (I want to avoid education classes at all costs. I have had
enough of buzz words and politically correctness.) The few schools that do
offer an MA in history are a commute and expensive.
Here's my question, which I admit took a while to get to: Is there a more
legitimate school than MU at which I can obtain an MA in history through
distance learning? MU is the only one I have encountered using search
engines. If not, is MU THAT bad? I'm guessing that I will learn from the
courses, even if it is mostly self directed. Between teaching and coaching, I
think that distance learning is the only way to go. I asked my teacher's
union rep about getting a degree through distance learning and she said she
wasn't sure because it hasn't come up before. I could go talk to the
superintendent, but I'm not so sure I want the answer. (I know this is not a
particularly good approach/attitude.) I feel like I running out of options.
I had thought MU might have been the answer, but now I don't. I'd appreciate
any advice.
Jessica Bowen
jess...@juno.com
gri...@cnetech.com
>Here's my question, which I admit took a while to get to: Is there a more
>legitimate school than MU at which I can obtain an MA in history through
>distance learning? MU is the only one I have encountered using search
>engines. If not, is MU THAT bad? I'm guessing that I will learn from the
>courses, even if it is mostly self directed. Between teaching and coaching, I
>think that distance learning is the only way to go. I asked my teacher's
>union rep about getting a degree through distance learning and she said she
>wasn't sure because it hasn't come up before. I could go talk to the
>superintendent, but I'm not so sure I want the answer. (I know this is not a
>particularly good approach/attitude.) I feel like I running out of options.
>I had thought MU might have been the answer, but now I don't. I'd appreciate
>any advice.
>
>Jessica Bowen
>jess...@juno.com
Hi, Jessica. First of all, I strongly doubt that your employer would
recognize anything from Monticello. I hope I don't get sued for
saying that ;)
Based on what you've written, I will assume that your Master's degree
can be in a discipline other than history (since your colleague
suggested the degree in education). With that being the case, I'd
like to suggest that you explore a new program offered through Regents
College (www.regents.edu). This is a Master's in Liberal Studies.
Perhaps you can tailor the program to include a heavy content of
history coursework. The advantages of this program include regional
accreditation, relatively low cost (though no financial aid), and
convenience. Your employer would likely accept this degree without
hesitation.
Mike B
Thomas Nixon
Jessica and Christopher Bowen wrote:
>
>
> Here's my question, which I admit took a while to get to: Is there a more
> legitimate school than MU at which I can obtain an MA in history through
> distance learning? MU is the only one I have encountered using search
> engines. If not, is MU THAT bad? I'm guessing that I will learn from the
> courses, even if it is mostly self directed. Between teaching and coaching, I
> think that distance learning is the only way to go. I asked my teacher's
> union rep about getting a degree through distance learning and she said she
> wasn't sure because it hasn't come up before. I could go talk to the
> superintendent, but I'm not so sure I want the answer. (I know this is not a
> particularly good approach/attitude.) I feel like I running out of options.
> I had thought MU might have been the answer, but now I don't. I'd appreciate
> any advice.
>
> Jessica Bowen
> jess...@juno.com
For you, it doesn't matter how good or bad it is. No school district in the
United States would accept a Monticello University degree as valid. School
districts are among the pickiest when it comes to the recognition of graduate
education and credentials. All school districts require that educational programs
must be regionally accredited. There are very, very few exceptions to this
policy. What this means to you is that it would not qualify you for
re-certification. It sounds like distance ed. would be a good choice for you,
but, particularly in your case, it must be regionally accredited.
However, there are other alternatives available through regionally accredited
distance education that could get you into the general ballpark of History. Check
out the programs available through California State University, Dominguez Hills
and Vermont College of Norwich University
(http://www.norwich.edu/grad/gradpage.htm). Also, check back here tomorrow. By
then, I'm sure the experts around here will have several other programs posted
that you can look into.
Tom Nixon
keh...@my-dejanews.com
fro...@popup.com (Jessica and Christopher Bowen) wrote:
[question -- needs Master's degree for teacher recertification]
Try these resources --
Directory of Online Colleges, Internet Universities, and Training Institutes
http://www.geteducated.com/dlsites.htm
LifeLongLearning: An Online Database of Distance Learning Courses (from
Peterson's)
http://www.lifelonglearning.com/
Or check your library or bookstore for these:
Bear's Guide To Earning College Degrees Nontraditionally, John Bear
Campus-Free College Degrees, Marcie Kisner Thorson
The Best Distance Learning Graduate Schools: Earning Your Degree Without
Leaving Home, Vicky Phillips and Cindy Yager.
The Independent Study Catalog, Peterson's.
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Some1
> I am a beginning high school history
> teacher who needs a Master's degree to
> get re-certified...
> ...is MU THAT bad? I'm guessing that I
> will learn from the courses, even if it is
> mostly self directed.
In a word: 'Yes'. It IS that bad.
If you need the master's in order to get re-certified, then you
obviously need a degree that will be recognized by the educational
profession. And which will not make you look like a fraud or a flake in
the process. Even if your only interest is in learning for it's own
sake, there are much better options out there.
Sadly, I don't know of any distance education master's degrees in
history specifically. But there are several master's programs in
'liberal arts' or 'interdisciplinary studies' that you might be
interested in.
My suggestion would be the program that I am currently enrolled in: the
distance master's program in 'Humanities' at California State University
at Dominguez Hills. It's large, well known, run by a state university
and accredited by WASC (the regional accreditor).
Their on-line catalog is at:
While the degree is in interdisciplinary humanities, they offer you the
option of specializing in history (as well as in art, music, literature
or philosophy). Or you can design a personal program that cuts across
disciplinary boundaries: I am involved in a philosophical, history of
ideas approach to religious art.
I know for a fact that they have a considerable number of specialists in
American history. It's probably an area of strength for their staff. I'm
not sure about British history, but I expect there are people there.
When you enroll, CSUDH sends you a little catalog of their faculty, with
information about each individual's area of interest and expertise. So
if you don't find a class in your particular area of interest that
semester, you can contact a faculty member and work out an individual
learning contract with him/her.
The degree will be in 'humanities', not in history. That might put you
at a disadvantage if you go on for a doctorate. (But some do manage that
successfully.) However for the purpose of secondary teacher
certification, CSUDH would be an infinitely better choice than
Monticello.
As far as costs: In-state and out-of-state costs are the same since the
program is self-supporting, not taxpayer subsidized. They currently
charge $135 per unit. $135 x 30 units is $4,050. Pretty reasonable for
an accredited master's degree. (In fact, it compares well with
Monticello in terms of price.) As a state university, CSUDH participates
in the applicable federal loan programs.
Anyway, that's what I would choose. In fact... That's what I DID
choose...
Bill Dayson
blah...@shell9.ba.best.com
The first question to ask is if a degree from a school without regional
accreditation will be accepted by your school district? If not, then you
shouldn't even consider it.
Further, it seems like your brain and your gut (intuition) are in
disagreement. When that happens, I find my gut is generally correct more
often than not. The brain has a way of rationalizing things.
Russ
On Mon, 31 Aug 1998, Jessica and Christopher Bowen wrote:
> Hi. I just found this newsgroup, and I'm glad I did. I am looking to obtain
> an MA in history, preferably AMerican or British and in my search had come
> across the Monticello website. I admit I was taken in by the site; as some of
> you have mentioned, it is a nice site. But like many of you, I had questions.
> I emailed the registrar with my questions and got a responde from a Melissa
> Kalinoff. She answered my question, but not as satisfactorialy as I would
> have liked. One question I asked was if there were current students or alumni
> that I could communicate with. (It seems to me that legitimate colleges would
> be able to provide this type of references.) Her answer to me: "We normally
> cannot give out names or addresses of students. We do have letters from
> students that we could provide you with. [she attached a couple of glowing
> letters.]
>
> Now that I have read all the messages that relate to MU on this website, I am
> even more wary than before. I am a beginning high school history teacher who
> needs a Master's degree to get re-certified. (We get five years.) Most of
> the traditional programs I have looked into want me to get an MEd, which I do
> not want. (I want to avoid education classes at all costs. I have had
> enough of buzz words and politically correctness.) The few schools that do
> offer an MA in history are a commute and expensive.
>
> Here's my question, which I admit took a while to get to: Is there a more
> legitimate school than MU at which I can obtain an MA in history through
> distance learning? MU is the only one I have encountered using search
> engines. If not, is MU THAT bad? I'm guessing that I will learn from the
Thomas Pinkney Davis
California State University, Dominguez Hills. You can pursue an
interdisciplinary
degree prgram or concentrate in art, literature, music, philosophy, or
history.
CSU-DH is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and
there is
no question about its degree being less than legitimate. Tuition is
moderate
($135 per credit hour) and the courses I've completed have been interesting
and I've
enjoyed them. I, too, am a teacher and my administration has had no
problem with
the DL degree format. (Our administration is pro-technology.) How could
they quibble
with CSU-DH's degree. It's accredited and hence acceptable. Best of luck.
( BTW, may I second your opinion of education courses--avoid them like
the plague)
Regards,
Thomas Pinkney Davis
P.S. CSU-DH is not shy about their alumni. Check out their website.
Jessica and Christopher Bowen <fro...@popup.com> wrote in article
<6sdbrq$haa$2...@strato.ultra.net>...
Wm. Dennis Huber
>Jessica and Christopher Bowen <fro...@popup.com> wrote in article
><6sdbrq$haa$2...@strato.ultra.net>...
>One question I asked was if there were current students or
>alumni
>> that I could communicate with. (It seems to me that legitimate colleges
>would
>> be able to provide this type of references.) Her answer to me: "We
>normally
>> cannot give out names or addresses of students. We do have letters from
>> students that we could provide you with. [she attached a couple of
>glowing
>> letters.]
>>
Legitimate colleges (or otherwise) would only be able to provide this type
of reference with the student's permission. Federal law prohibits this. (I,
for example, do not allow my name to be given out.) Do not take this as an
indication that it is not a good program.
--
Wm. Dennis Huber
WDHub...@msn.com
To Reply: Remove NOT from address
http://members.tripod.com/~WDHuber/
DR_WETSCH
There have been several good suggestions for an MA that are regionally
accredited degrees such as Vermont College of Norwich University and
California State U - Dominguez Hills. These are good choices for an MA
degree utilizing DL.
I would like to recommend my alma mater for an MA which is Antioch
University in Yellow Springs, OH. It is a very short residency progam
that totals about 10 days for the entire program. It is an
idividualized MA and I did mine in historical astronomy where I did a
history of science focus with emphasis on astronomy. The program is
offered by The McGregor School at Antioch.
http://www.antioch-college.edu
John R. Wetsch, Ph.D.