VESI-like Tons of grad classes $110 per credit hour

[cookderosa]

I just don't see the utility of these courses if they cannot be transferred as graduate credit. A teacher needing credits for a pay raise would be better off working on a master's degree elsewhere than taking these courses, that is if they aren't transferrable. Now if they are that changes things dramatically and in that case I would be very interested.

Here is an example of a salary table that public schools use:
http://www.k12.wa.us/safs/PUB/PER/SalAllocSchedule.pdf

This sample uses quarters (MA + 45 quarter credits = MA + 30 regular credits)
So, at $100 each, you can see that it's only $3000 to pull up to the next pay step if you use organizations like these. They fill a need, especially since it's more involved to enroll in a degree program (entrance requirements, transcript sending/fees, GREs, deadlines for completion, etc) and many people have no desire to go through the exit process again for another master's. You can just "collect" 30 random un-attached graduate level credits and you're good to go. I think, based on the table, I'd be in the camp of getting 30-45 random grad credits instead of a doctorate degree!

[IrishJohn]

Here is an example of a salary table that public schools use:
http://www.k12.wa.us/safs/PUB/PER/SalAllocSchedule.pdf

This sample uses quarters (MA + 45 quarter credits = MA + 30 regular credits)
So, at $100 each, you can see that it's only $3000 to pull up to the next pay step if you use organizations like these. They fill a need, especially since it's more involved to enroll in a degree program (entrance requirements, transcript sending/fees, GREs, deadlines for completion, etc) and many people have no desire to go through the exit process again for another master's. You can just "collect" 30 random un-attached graduate level credits and you're good to go. I think, based on the table, I'd be in the camp of getting 30-45 random grad credits instead of a doctorate degree!

Okay, I can see why these courses would be good to take under this scenario. I guess they serve a particular need and it depends upon one's goals. I'm thinking more of finishing my master's and then looking for something at the community college later rather than staying in the public school system. I suppose these courses could come in handy for obtaining 18 more credits in another subject to be eligible to teach in at that level. I also live in one of the lowest-paying counties in Virginia for teachers where the supplemental raise in pay is quite small: BA+15 (MA level) = $1,110; MA = $4,026; MA+15 = $4,384; MA+30 = $4,743. It's not really worth doing more than the MA or possibly MA+15 in the public school system here unless they have tuition reimbursement I don't know about yet.

Now if these courses are transferrable I'd be interested in taking a couple for the MA.

[ryoder]

NCU has a 30 credit MEd with a "general" specialization that allows 6cr of transfer credit. The school will most likely transfer the VESI credits coming out of one of the partner schools.

[ryoder]

I am still looking for an online MEd that will use my 4 cr VESI. I want to grab a few more when things slow down. Can't hurt to have graduate level education credit, even if it doesn't get me anything though.

[cookderosa]

It's a beautiful day today.

[jlctop]

ryoder, I'm also looking to try and take advantage of VESI courses in the Graduate level as well. I see you on the same path and I wanted to ask you for your opinion on info that I received from St. Catherines about how they transcribe a particular course that I want to take through VESI.

The course is "Learning Disabilities", which is 3 semester credits. I asked St. Catherines to give me an idea of what it would look like on a transcript. Below is what I received as an answer.
Course Title: Learning Disabilities
Course: 525V
Level: CE
Credit Hours: 3.000

From your knowledge and opinion, do you think this would be accepted as viable semester credits at the Grad. level? My concern is the 525V they use for course. Can you give me an idea if this would be accepted or should I be going through a different school for credentialing. Any other info that you care to share is greatly appreciated.

[cookderosa]

ryoder, I'm also looking to try and take advantage of VESI courses in the Graduate level as well. I see you on the same path and I wanted to ask you for your opinion on info that I received from St. Catherines about how they transcribe a particular course that I want to take through VESI.

The course is "Learning Disabilities", which is 3 semester credits. I asked St. Catherines to give me an idea of what it would look like on a transcript. Below is what I received as an answer.
Course Title: Learning Disabilities
Course: 525V
Level: CE
Credit Hours: 3.000

From your knowledge and opinion, do you think this would be accepted as viable semester credits at the Grad. level? My concern is the 525V they use for course. Can you give me an idea if this would be accepted or should I be going through a different school for credentialing. Any other info that you care to share is greatly appreciated.

Not Ryoder, but 2 heads are better than 1. He might disagree?
This is how I'd read it:
525V = graduate level VESI
CE= continuing education

I'd say this would be denied.

[jlctop]

Jennifer,
Thank you for sharing. I hold your opions and recommendations in very high regard as many in this forum do, and I'm seeing it as you do that it would be denied.

I'm sending a requesst to Morningside, who also credentials VESI courses, so I can get an idea for which school to consider for credentialing. I'll let you know more as I find out. Thanks again.

[ryoder]

Yeah I had the same question. I just received my transcript from St Catherines and I see continuing education and 500 level on the same page. I was going to call them when I get a free moment to ask if there was some mistake. It should not say continuing education when I paid for graduate level. There were two options to choose from and I chose grad level. If you are worried about wasting time and money be careful. I am not and it is just something that I wanted to try out but I will try to get the graduate credit I deserve from it.

[jlctop]

ryoder,
Thanks for your response. I hope you can get the grad. credit your looking for. In any case, I'd be interested to see how it works out for you so I may be able to attack it from another front. I'll keep my eyes and ears open and let you know what I fine out on my end. Thanks.