Master Degree Question

[emichele20]

Hey Everyone,

As you all know I had applied to CSU but I have decided not to pursue their program because they will not allow me to start on a contingent basis (non-enrolled student). I thought that they would accept my transcripts and my conferral letter until I officially graduate in June. If I wait until after June to start I would probably be looking at July or August for a start date with them. To me that is too long to be out of school especially when you have been so used to going. Not to mention that is like a semester or two wasted (time wise). I do not want to get lazy. I would like to know if there are any schools that allow you to start in their masters program on a contingent basis until you have officially graduated?

Please let me know
Thanks

[marianne202]

Could you enroll as a non-degree seeking student and take classes until your conferral date? I know I had several schools offer me that option. I also had schools that would allow me to enroll with my letter and transcript contingent on an official conferral, however, I talked directly with the program directors and NOT with the enrollment / sales staff depending on the type of school. I would recommend that you talk with the program director / head or the registrar directly and not to enrollment counselors. Just my two cents...now worth about half a cent!

[emichele20]

That is what I tried and thought they were going to let me do. I will take you advice and see who I can talk too. I need to use my financial aid though because I have just made a major purchase that has depleted all of my savings. I am not sure if you can use FA as a non-degree seeking student or not. I think that you should be able to use it though but who knows.

[cookderosa]

Hey Everyone,

As you all know I had applied to CSU but I have decided not to pursue their program because they will not allow me to start on a contingent basis (non-enrolled student). I thought that they would accept my transcripts and my conferral letter until I officially graduate in June. If I wait until after June to start I would probably be looking at July or August for a start date with them. To me that is too long to be out of school especially when you have been so used to going. Not to mention that is like a semester or two wasted (time wise). I do not want to get lazy. I would like to know if there are any schools that allow you to start in their masters program on a contingent basis until you have officially graduated?



Please let me know
Thanks

Harvard University (Extension). In fact, you have to enroll on a contingent basis until you pass 3 courses in your major, you can't apply for degree-seeking status.Also, they allow you to enroll in any class w/o your BA, but you do have to have yur BA when you apply for degree-seeking status. They have a good number of distance options in the summer (7 week sessions) and tons of distance options in the traditional fall/spring semesters. The degrees typically require 9 courses + thesis; 6 may be distance learning and 3 must be on campus. You can do the on-campus courses in the summer. Harvard University use the drop down to locate the college of continuing education.

[IrishJohn]

Harvard University (Extension). In fact, you have to enroll on a contingent basis until you pass 3 courses in your major, you can't apply for degree-seeking status.Also, they allow you to enroll in any class w/o your BA, but you do have to have yur BA when you apply for degree-seeking status. They have a good number of distance options in the summer (7 week sessions) and tons of distance options in the traditional fall/spring semesters. The degrees typically require 9 courses + thesis; 6 may be distance learning and 3 must be on campus. You can do the on-campus courses in the summer. Harvard University use the drop down to locate the college of continuing education.

You know what's interesting about this, from a job-seeking perspective, is if one had the time and money one could complete the 3 required "predmission courses" for admittance and then drag out the rest for up to 5 years. During that time you could present yourself as "Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) Candidate, Harvard University Extension School" (or whatever your degree is) on your resume and you even get these nifty business cards you can use:

http://www.uos.harvard.edu/transportatio...erForm.pdf

You get the mystique of the Havard name to impress potential employers and could either complete your degree there, or transfer to another school after the 5 years are up. It's expensive ($1,995/course) and time-consuming, but an interesting option in this tough job market. I only wish I could do it myself, but alas...

[rebel100]

You know what's interesting about this, from a job-seeking perspective, is if one had the time and money one could complete the 3 required "predmission courses" for admittance and then drag out the rest for up to 5 years. During that time you could present yourself as "Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) Candidate, Harvard University Extension School" (or whatever your degree is) on your resume and you even get these nifty business cards you can use:

http://www.uos.harvard.edu/transportatio...erForm.pdf

You get the mystique of the Havard name to impress potential employers and could either complete your degree there, or transfer to another school after the 5 years are up. It's expensive ($1,995/course) and time-consuming, but an interesting option in this tough job market. I only wish I could do it myself, but alas...

Its really not all that expensive when you think about it. Around 20-25K is not bad at all, plus your studying under what should be some of the best professors in the world. Even AMU/APU will run upwards of 15K, and here in Florida UF runs an MBA program that cost 57K! HES is an incredible bargain.

[dcan]

Its really not all that expensive when you think about it. Around 20-25K is not bad at all, plus your studying under what should be some of the best professors in the world. Even AMU/APU will run upwards of 15K, and here in Florida UF runs an MBA program that cost 57K! HES is an incredible bargain.

Those prices are pretty reasonable. AMU runs $11,700 for many of their master's degrees, but books and fees probably bring it up to the $15,000 range.

[rebel100]

AMU was the first one that came to mind Point is that 500/cr is very competative for Grad level work, and it's freakin Harvard. To me the Bachelors at HES is a tremendous bargain too at only about $250/cr.....wish I had known!

[marianne202]

I'm sorry, but I don't see the prestige of HES. To anyone that knows anything about the structure of academic institutions it is still an extension school which most will equate with the Con Ed side of a school. It isn't the same as attending Harvard by any means! I got some free CEU's through Texas A&M extension school, I don't consider that to mean I attended Texas A&M. I'm just saying, don't think you will be fooling anyone or impressing anyone, that you actually attended Harvard by attending HES.

[rebel100]

I'm sorry, but I don't see the prestige of HES. To anyone that knows anything about the structure of academic institutions it is still an extension school which most will equate with the Con Ed side of a school. It isn't the same as attending Harvard by any means! I got some free CEU's through Texas A&M extension school, I don't consider that to mean I attended Texas A&M. I'm just saying, don't think you will be fooling anyone or impressing anyone, that you actually attended Harvard by attending HES.

It's not about fooling anyone. If your going to do the work and learn the material it might as well be at the place that will provide the best education. HES requires the bulk of the work to be under Harvard professors, a significant amount of the time must be spent in residence, and it is a division of Harvard University...even if the haters want to argue otherwise . On top of all of that it is offered at a bargain price. Your right in part though, it is through the con-ed dept. And very different from attending Harvard College and eating in Annenburg hall with all the other freshman...I'm fine with missing that part in exchange for an 80% discount. Remember too that unlike taking CEU's somewhere, Harvard University is conferring degrees in Extension Studies for completion of the HES program. There is a lot to like.