Graduate Level Credit- any way dramatically cut costs?

[daniellevine]

Well I've gotten a little obsessed over my education since being let on the little secret (that you can get a ton of credits and graduate with a B.S. for REALLY cheap with DSST/ CLEP.) So I decided to look at my options for either a M.A. (either Psychology or Liberal Studies) or possibly Ph.D. in psychology (if the school would allow admission without needing an M.A.)

Master's Degree. I've always subscribed to the idea that "where there's a will there's a way." But dozens upon dozens of Google searches are leading to a dead end. Basically, I am wondering if anyone has figured out a way to get an accredited M.S. for a fraction of the cost of a typical one. Excelsior's degree is expensive, so I threw that out, but they do allow up to 15 transfer credits. That is what intrigued me... if there is a way to get those credits with minimal cost. Here is what I found so far, and I am wondering if anyone has found a good strategy.

1. I could not find any independent study, distance learning, or ACE-approved tests for graduate credit. This is primarily where I am hoping someone might be able to enlighten me to a secret treasure somewhere. I would gladly transfer some Graduate Level tests to reduce the cost of grad school.

2. Accredited online schools start as low as about $250 per credit... I think I saw as low as $175. The good thing about Excelsior is you only need like 33 credits, whereas a lot of schools require almost twice the amount.

3. Western Governor's University was the most interesting school for an accredited B.A. They charge a flat semester rate for around $3,000. To my knowledge there are no limitations on how many courses you can take. However, I'm not sure if there are any B.A. degrees that I want from their list.

4. Harvard Extension School excited me at first. I figured if I could somehow get a scholarship or grant, I could get a B.A. from Harvard. Read the fine print: you can't use Harvard or Harvard Extension insignias or brands on your letterhead. Pathetic... go Yale!

5. Scholarships are worth a shot. There are a lot of them out there.


Ph.D. Psychology. Unfortunately I live in California and you can't be a licensed psychologist unless you have a Doctorate. In a lot of states you can do a lot with a Master's, but not here. I've heard that some schools accept a B.S. straight to the Ph.D. program on-line, but I haven't found any. Additionally I have not found even an on-line school where I could graduate for under $75,000. I think this is out of the question.

[HawkGuy]

Read the fine print: you can't use Harvard or Harvard Extension insignias or brands on your letterhead. Pathetic... go Yale!

Unless you work for the university, why would you use their insignia on your correspondence? Wouldn't a Harvard sweater or tie advertise your affiliation just as well?

Are you looking for a bachelors or masters program? Your post references both and you have to narrow it down if you're expecting feedback.

[daniellevine]

Unless you work for the university, why would you use their insignia on your correspondence? Wouldn't a Harvard sweater or tie advertise your affiliation just as well?

Are you looking for a bachelors or masters program? Your post references both and you have to narrow it down if you're expecting feedback.

I am doing B.S. right now with Excelsior but just thinking about future options after I graduate in April.

So, I am looking for the discount Master's Program.

Harvard's out anyway because you have to spend at least two semesters in residency, and the total cost is way out of my range.

[peace123]

Cheapest I have found so far is :

WNMU if you take 6 credits a session the cost is $827 ($138 a credit)
see costs here :
http://www.wnmu.edu/admin/businessaff/Tu...p%2010.pdf

Amberton: ( $225 a credit)
source:Amberton University
Amberton Maintains Low Tuition Cost
While many public universities and private institutions are expecting significant tuition increases in the 2009-2010 academic year, Amberton University students will see no tuition hike. The not-for-profit university will continue to offer courses at $675 per course. For more than 35 years, Amberton has provided the lowest tuition of any private university in the DFW metroplex.

TUI : If a Fed or State or local gov employee*: each 4 credit course is $1000 and they provide the course materials on CD, so no additional text book cost.
Cost* ($250 a credit) TUI University - Federal Tuition Assistance Program (FTAP)

[jaer57]

You could always try and apply to be a TA for a local university. They usually waiver tuition for TA's and you may be able to do it part-time. Other than that I have no advice other than to look everywhere you can. Have you checked out geteducated.com's best buy lists? Good luck!

[taylor]

I don't know why but Columbia College Missouri Online keeps running through my head? It's $320 per credit with 8 week terms with a whole lot of different master programs. It's also a ranked B&M school. Although, I'm not sure of it's testing policies being proctored or not. (I'd prefer non proctored.)

My top 3 right now would be based on cheapest and fastest and a little bit of rep:
1) Columbia College
2) AMU
3) TUI

[daniellevine]

Peace123, Jaer57 and Taylor:

Thanks a lot for the information! I am going to research your ideas right now. Best of luck to you!

[cookderosa]

Cheapest RA Master's is the WNMU hands down. You'll be 100% online and pick 2 majors. If you like psych, that's one of them, and you can choose any second one you want. It's 18 credits in each of two subjects or you can do the 3 subject one- but I suggest the 2 credit one since that means a double teaching credential. It's under $10,000 total.

Harvard Extension isn't really expensive. It's a fraction of the cost of UoP or Capella or Walden, etc. 9 classes at $1800 each plus a thesis. It's under $20,000.

What is your budget? If it's under $20,000 you'll have to be less picky. If it's $20,000-$25,000 you will have hundreds of choices. If it's $30,000 and above you can go almost anywhere. It's the private online schools that kill a person. UoP graduates pay a fortune. (not sure why....)

Also, if you are thinking psychology, that's a field that you need to REALLY do homework in. My Harvard track was psych, but at the end of the day you need to be able to earn a living...and there are lots of hoops without a lot of rewards. Check your state laws and then look at sites like salary.com to see if you think it's worth 5-7 more years of school. I'm not all about the money, but in my state, Psychologists (PhDs) are making about $40,000-$50,000. That doesn't seem to justify the requirements. You also need to see if your state requires a degree from an APA school. Many schools (including Harvard and all of the colleges within it) are not APA. Of the APA schools, only Fielding is distance, and it does have residency requirements. (it's expensive too- up over $50K when I looked) I am NOT an expert at psychology requirements, just sharing some of my experience from last year when I looked into it...just do your homework.

[daniellevine]

Cheapest RA Master's is the WNMU hands down. You'll be 100% online and pick 2 majors. If you like psych, that's one of them, and you can choose any second one you want. It's 18 credits in each of two subjects or you can do the 3 subject one- but I suggest the 2 credit one since that means a double teaching credential. It's under $10,000 total.

Harvard Extension isn't really expensive. It's a fraction of the cost of UoP or Capella or Walden, etc. 9 classes at $1800 each plus a thesis. It's under $20,000.

What is your budget? If it's under $20,000 you'll have to be less picky. If it's $20,000-$25,000 you will have hundreds of choices. If it's $30,000 and above you can go almost anywhere. It's the private online schools that kill a person. UoP graduates pay a fortune. (not sure why....)

Also, if you are thinking psychology, that's a field that you need to REALLY do homework in. My Harvard track was psych, but at the end of the day you need to be able to earn a living...and there are lots of hoops without a lot of rewards. Check your state laws and then look at sites like salary.com to see if you think it's worth 5-7 more years of school. I'm not all about the money, but in my state, Psychologists (PhDs) are making about $40,000-$50,000. That doesn't seem to justify the requirements. You also need to see if your state requires a degree from an APA school. Many schools (including Harvard and all of the colleges within it) are not APA. Of the APA schools, only Fielding is distance, and it does have residency requirements. (it's expensive too- up over $50K when I looked) I am NOT an expert at psychology requirements, just sharing some of my experience from last year when I looked into it...just do your homework.

Yes... you led me to my little pot of gold... thank you so much!

Here are 40 graduate courses at $137 credit/ 411 course.

Virtual Campus - Online Programs

With these I have the ability to either transfer or finish the degree at WNMU. This is the first glimpse of hope that an Master's Degree is affordable. Thanks again!

[creationstory]

Yes... you led me to my little pot of gold... thank you so much!

Here are 40 graduate courses at $137 credit/ 411 course.

Virtual Campus - Online Programs

With these I have the ability to either transfer or finish the degree at WNMU. This is the first glimpse of hope that an Master's Degree is affordable. Thanks again!

i was looking at wnmu

http://www.wnmu.edu/admin/businessaff/Tu...p%2010.pdf

the tuition has a serious jump once u go from
part time 6 credits to full time 7 credits..

Hours 6
Tuition 702.00

Hours 7
Tuition 3,507.00