Thinking of a Masters in 2015

[bsinsc]

Don't mean to hijack this thread but I gotta vent my frustration lol!! I wanted to do ultrasound until I realized how difficult it would be just to get into a program.

My dad has been doing ultrasound for 30 years, and I was going to apply to ultrasound programs, but there's so many barriers for me. These are all the caahep accredited programs in CA.

UCSD: Need more prereqs like physics, patho, patient care, medical ethics and law, and they probably won't accept my medical terminology from SL. On top of all that, I think they only take 6 people per year? And they need 3 letters of recommendation (No idea where I'd get those from lol).

Santa Barbara City College: Not accepting any new students until around Spring 2016. No way I'm waiting that long.

Platt College: I actually got accepted here and made a post about it! Unfortunately it costs about 30k, and none of their classes are transferable, so I didn't pursue it lol.

Orange Coast College: Could be an option. Only around $5k. It's kind of far though and I'd have to take a couple of their prereq requirements like health occupations (this seems so dumb to me...).

Kaiser Permanente in Richmond CA: Would have to take physics, and the program tuition is $20-23k!! That just seems so expensive, but maybe i'm just a cheapo

Foothill College: You need to have an allied health care degree (RN, radiology, respiratory...) before you can even apply...Way outta my league

Community Regional Medical Center Fresno: Need physics, and oh yeah, it costs $20k and you can't even submit an application until January 2016.

So it seems the only remotely close option (for me at least) is Orange Coast College, and that even seems like a little bit of a long shot. Back in the day when my dad got his cert he just walked in the door and payed a 1000 bucks or whatever, and 30 years later he's doing just fine and still working at the big hospitals in LA/Bev Hills. Boy things have changed since then...Even he can't believe the requirements people need just to get into sonography.

Vent over, continue lol

No, I completely agree! What happened to the certificate programs in those fields like ultrasound and nursing? We had both here in the 90's. Now there are no ultrasound schools here at all. It's all about $ apparently. Why does an ultrasound tech or an RN need a 4 year degree? They don't. I have friends now that have been RN's for years that are now being forced into getting a degree to keep their jobs. How stupid! Is English Literature going to help them give a shot? No! Some idiot came up with the idea that to learn certain occupations you have to complete a 2 or 4 year degree. It's really idiotic! There are basically no job training schools anymore. Do plumbers need a associate degree? No! Sorry you are having to fight this same fight! It's even more frustrating for someone with a lot of experience in a field to be denied the opportunity because of a degree.

[bsinsc]

Can you take your experience as a newspaper editor and perhaps parlay that into a related, but current career? Like Social Media or other types of content editing? Believe me, the millennials need help with their writing.

I think I might have to forget a masters and just do what you suggested if I can land a job.

[bsinsc]

No way I would take on debt for any Master of Arts degree without a concrete realistic plan for how it's gonna pay off....to many unemployed folks out there for it to be a decent payoff for you. I can only imagine what that would even cost at the Citadel...so double no on that one.

I like the ideas others expressed about taking a fresh look at using what you have or looking at a narrow technical field like sonography. Those change your life next week or in a few months not years from now.

I started an MA at Western New Mexico Univ. great cheap program, but I just couldn't monetize it. Switched to a quick cheap MBA at WGU and I'm seeing the benefits from that already. Don't take on too much debt...preferably no debt.

Thanks for your reply. We have no sonography programs in SC...we used to but they are all gone now. Tell me more about you MBA at WGU....how long did it take for you to complete it? how much was it from start to finish?

[dmjacobsen]

No, I completely agree! What happened to the certificate programs in those fields like ultrasound and nursing? We had both here in the 90's. Now there are no ultrasound schools here at all. It's all about $ apparently. Why does an ultrasound tech or an RN need a 4 year degree? They don't. I have friends now that have been RN's for years that are now being forced into getting a degree to keep their jobs. How stupid! Is English Literature going to help them give a shot? No! Some idiot came up with the idea that to learn certain occupations you have to complete a 2 or 4 year degree. It's really idiotic! There are basically no job training schools anymore. Do plumbers need a associate degree? No! Sorry you are having to fight this same fight! It's even more frustrating for someone with a lot of experience in a field to be denied the opportunity because of a degree.

While, as a nurse, I agree that RN's do not necessarily need the 4-year degree in its current iteration to perform the job, I think you underestimate the role of the RN. Comparing the education requirements of a plumber (a highly technical occupation) with that of an RN (a multi-faceted occupation where a minor mistake can actually kill someone) is a little unfair.

Not to sound too harsh here, but it seems like you're looking for an easy path. Nothing easy is going to pay off. If it did, everyone would do it.

I can certainly empathize with your situation. I have a 10-month-old and it's very difficult to balance work, school, and home life. However, you're simply not going to be able to find an easy path that pays well. Kinda like the old engineering adage: "Fast, Cheap, Good -- pick two".

Have you considered a career in the public sector? Depending on your specific location, you can find many government jobs that require non-specific Bachelor's degrees for entry, many of which may actually be related to your current skillset. After spending some time in grade, you could then consider getting an MPA or MBA to bump up to a higher level position.

[bsinsc]

While, as a nurse, I agree that RN's do not necessarily need the 4-year degree in its current iteration to perform the job, I think you underestimate the role of the RN. Comparing the education requirements of a plumber (a highly technical occupation) with that of an RN (a multi-faceted occupation where a minor mistake can actually kill someone) is a little unfair.

Not to sound too harsh here, but it seems like you're looking for an easy path. Nothing easy is going to pay off. If it did, everyone would do it.

I can certainly empathize with your situation. I have a 10-month-old and it's very difficult to balance work, school, and home life. However, you're simply not going to be able to find an easy path that pays well. Kinda like the old engineering adage: "Fast, Cheap, Good -- pick two".

Have you considered a career in the public sector? Depending on your specific location, you can find many government jobs that require non-specific Bachelor's degrees for entry, many of which may actually be related to your current skillset. After spending some time in grade, you could then consider getting an MPA or MBA to bump up to a higher level position.

Sorry...I must've replied to the wrong person.....I certainly do not underestimate the role of the RN...I have many friends and a sister-in-law who are RN's...what I am saying is that not all that long ago there were "nursing schools" where one learned to be a nurse. They did not learn other subjects so that a box could be checked off and a degree given. They graduated with a diploma in nursing. These same people who went to these nursing schools are some of the best nurses I know. My point is that they did not need a degree to be a good nurse. Things have changed drastically and they are now required to get a 4 year degree even though they have been practicing for years and have a hell of a lot more knowledge than the new nurses with degrees. Does that make sense? There is no correlation between a nurse and a plumber except for the training now required. Our local technical college only has 2 year programs for electricians and plumbers now. My dad made a good living as an electrician and like the other poster noted about her father who is a sonographer, they did not need degrees for these positions. As for my situation, I am certainly not looking for an easy path. My life has been anything but easy. What I am looking for is some way I can add to my knowledge base and actually get a job that pays something.
I applaud you for your efforts. Do it now when you are young and have an infant. Time flies, really it does! You have plenty of years left to work and pay off student loans. I don't have that much time and am looking at college for my 15 year old in 3 short years.
You see, when I was younger and had only an AS and certification as a Medical Assistant I was able to support my family. This is back 20 years ago when RN's made $20/hr. and I made $15/ hr. Now, even with more education and experience under my belt I find that there are few jobs that pay anymore than I made all those years ago. It's like waking up one day and wondering what happened in the world. Every school you talk to acts like none of the degrees or courses you took matter now. For any of the allied health programs, I have to start from scratch. I'm not kidding. Again, not all that long ago you could go the local technical college and take a certificate program for sonography, etc which would open up new job opportunities. Those no longer exist. Do I want to start college all over again at 43? No, I do not. I'd like the masters but can't justify the money unless I know it's something that will pay off. Do you ever listen to Dave Ramsey? He talks all the time about people getting useless degrees. Of course, they don't know they are useless at the time until they can't find a job and are $100k in debt. I wish I would've waited the 2 years for the RN program I was waiting for all of those years ago. Life gets in the way and bills need to be paid, kids need to be raised. I realize this is not an option for me now. The only school I could go to would be the on-campus second degree RN program at TESC in NJ. I live in SC. Anyway, I am only looking for a way for 43 year old me to make some decent money.

[rebel100]

Thanks for your reply. We have no sonography programs in SC...we used to but they are all gone now. Tell me more about you MBA at WGU....how long did it take for you to complete it? how much was it from start to finish?

I took a leisurely 14 months (3 WGU Semesters) to complete the coursework. I deliberately took that long to maximize my tuition reimbursement from my employer. There are those that have completed the MBA in as little as 6 months, many have done it in a year. A semester at WGU is 6 months and the courses are self paced. It runs $3250/semester. So it's sub 10K if your motivated and reasonably intelligent. Patten has a similar program for the MBA. WGU has a few other Masters such as Nursing, Leadership, and Education.

[EI2HCB]

Do you ever listen to Dave Ramsey? He talks all the time about people getting useless degrees. Of course, they don't know they are useless at the time until they can't find a job and are $100k in debt.

While I'm far from "living like no one else" Larry Burkett the inspiration for Dave Ramsey's baby steps equated getting a degree like investing in yourself. It is true that many find education to be of little value when they complete that education, yet Dave Ramsey has his degree, without debt as he says himself, he also advocates a for profit Christian college in his advertising that costs on average $500 per credit hour although the price reduces the more you take with that particular school. While in the past community college education was enough as an entry to some decent professions this has advanced (unfortunately) so that a BA is the new entry level requirement, while I work towards a reduced cost education and the hope in the future of being able to "live like no one else" I must press on in each step that will allow me to reach my goal. Testing out of classes allows me the liberty of more time at home and a less expensive education even if I decided to attend that college in Tennessee like Dave Ramsey did.

As Dave mentions in his motivation class "if you had to find $5,000 for your sick child without borrowing it, could you do it?" For me my degree is my goal and I'm taking every step without debt to achieve it with the help of some of my friends on this forum. The encouragement found here is inspiring

[bsinsc]

Do you ever listen to Dave Ramsey? He talks all the time about people getting useless degrees. Of course, they don't know they are useless at the time until they can't find a job and are $100k in debt.

While I'm far from "living like no one else" Larry Burkett the inspiration for Dave Ramsey's baby steps equated getting a degree like investing in yourself. It is true that many find education to be of little value when they complete that education, yet Dave Ramsey has his degree, without debt as he says himself, he also advocates a for profit Christian college in his advertising that costs on average $500 per credit hour although the price reduces the more you take with that particular school. While in the past community college education was enough as an entry to some decent professions this has advanced (unfortunately) so that a BA is the new entry level requirement, while I work towards a reduced cost education and the hope in the future of being able to "live like no one else" I must press on in each step that will allow me to reach my goal. Testing out of classes allows me the liberty of more time at home and a less expensive education even if I decided to attend that college in Tennessee like Dave Ramsey did.

As Dave mentions in his motivation class "if you had to find $5,000 for your sick child without borrowing it, could you do it?" For me my degree is my goal and I'm taking every step without debt to achieve it with the help of some of my friends on this forum. The encouragement found here is inspiring

Absolutely....a degree is always a good goal to have and a great investment in yourself. No argument there. I wish more teenagers/early 20's realized how much money and time could be saved if they tested out of at least some subjects like the rest of us did. My college age nieces and nephews don't listen to me. Two have graduated with nice degrees from good colleges....and a lot of student loan debt. I wonder how much of that could have been avoided if they had tested out of at least some of the basics for $100 each? I plan on having my 15 year old start taking some cleps this summer. He already has 3 credits from his current high school in engineering as a freshman!

[Prloko]

No, I completely agree! What happened to the certificate programs in those fields like ultrasound and nursing? We had both here in the 90's. Now there are no ultrasound schools here at all. It's all about $ apparently. Why does an ultrasound tech or an RN need a 4 year degree? They don't. I have friends now that have been RN's for years that are now being forced into getting a degree to keep their jobs. How stupid! Is English Literature going to help them give a shot? No! Some idiot came up with the idea that to learn certain occupations you have to complete a 2 or 4 year degree. It's really idiotic! There are basically no job training schools anymore. Do plumbers need a associate degree? No! Sorry you are having to fight this same fight! It's even more frustrating for someone with a lot of experience in a field to be denied the opportunity because of a degree.

There was a time where either your employer or a trade union/association provided you training. Colleges where institutions of higher learning where renaissance men and women learned about the world and all the finer things (sciences, literature, etc.), and learned how to think. Now employers are unwilling to develop their employees and expect them to leave within 5 years. Now training has become the onus of the employee and colleges have been relegated to trade schools status, and once respected trade schools are now shrugged off as "degree mills".

Now, learning the Arts and Sciences is passed off as "useless".

[cookderosa]

Thanks for all of the replies! At 43, I have kind of lost my way for sure. I have looked into PA school and really wish I would've gone that route years ago. We have a great 2 year program here. It is extremely competitive. They only accept 50 students out of thousands of applications. Same goes for the RN program at the same school. You cannot work if you get into them and that is not an option for me. We have no ultrasound programs anywhere near where I live. I've have also looked into that. I originally thought I could roll my medical experience into something but have had lots of doors slammed. Another of the problems is that no school will take my old A & P , medical terminology, etc courses. All of those would have to be done over provided I could even get in somewhere. I've looked into physical therapy/occupational therapy/respiratory therapy and am not much interested in those (ironically enough there are openings in those programs) I do miss the medical field somewhat. My passion is history though. I agree that I can't justify spending a lot on a history degree when I need to make money. I still have a 15 year old son at home that will be going to college in a few years. I keep sending out my resume for jobs in editing, non-profit, etc. and no replies. I'm really peeved that now everything has to be such an expense and a hassle. Gone are the days of getting an add-on certificate that can actually land you a decent paying job. It's frustrating!!!!

When I was where you are, considering various programs, I did an exercise that worked really well; you might find it helpful.
Pretend that you already have the degree- whatever it is, MS History, or otherwise. And start looking for a job. If you had that degree, what kind of actual jobs would you be eligible for? Don't change any other variables (example, if moving out of SC isn't an option, don't look at job boards for NY). Do that for each of the various degree options you're considering, and see where you'd land. If you can't find salary on the job posting, use the Department of Labor site, it lists actual wages (not the hype people tell on the internet ) http://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Create a list of degrees that would qualify you for these jobs you're finding, and then back fill with the info you collect - like salary- and then see how hard and expensive it would be to get that training. Furthermore, as you search for jobs, you may find that there are alternatives to degrees for some fields. A master's degree might not be necessary, and in my opinion, there are very few jobs that actually require a master's degree.