Nations University call

[Ideas]

I'm having doubts now. I would love to start, so that I'm sort of, part time, working on my Masters. But I'm remembering that because I'm graduating earlier than I previously planned, I only have until Jan 1st to complete my second Bachelor's requirements, or it will be a lot more for another residency waiver (probably over $2000). 

The Bachelor's is more practical, and the Masters is more of what I want to do. I don't think I can take longer on the Bachelor's and waste the $2000, but I wish I could do the Masters first. Maybe I will see about the monthly payments and try to do the Masters in 1.25-1.5 years.

[rlw74]

Well, even if you have to wait, it's only an extra $500 if you finish in one year. I guess the utility of a second bachelors vs a master's is a matter of end result. Whichever one that is going to help you advance toward the career you want is the best option.

I'll have to check out that other thread. Not too long ago I checked out the first course and they gave guest access to the undergrad equivalency. It did look like a lot of work. Some of it was keeping a journal for 30 days; visiting five different religious places etc. It didn't sound like a course you could speed through. But there is someone who said the next two courses were pretty quick. I'll probably be starting here in a couple of weeks. I'm just so busy right now that I'm not sure how I'll make time.

[Ideas]

Well, even if you have to wait, it's only an extra $500 if you finish in one year. I guess the utility of a second bachelors vs a master's is a matter of end result. Whichever one that is going to help you advance toward the career you want is the best option.

Only $500 extra if I'm smart enough to wait. I feel like enrolling, but then it might cost me an extra $1000 if I go over the year. I will contact them and see if 1/2 year will cost less.

I have a lot to think about. My situation is unusual in that I don't know if either degree path will lead to a career I want because of disabilities. It is possible that neither will, in which case I still want to do this for personal satisfaction. If it's true that I cannot reach the career goals, it's clear I should take the path I prefer personally, versus the one that seems more likely to lead to money. However, someday I may regret that if my quality of life is lowered due to this decision.

That first class sure seems time-consuming.

[rlw74]

In the past they used to let you start and put your account on hold for a period of time. The time its on hold doesn't count against the two year tuition lock (I think). So maybe get the first class started, finished and put it all on hold until you get the second bachelors. You might check on that though. The person who posted that posted it years ago before accreditation. They may have a different policy. But so far, in my experience they seem pretty easy to work with.

[jb111]

Trying to get more details/syllabus on the first class.  Will keep you posted.

[rlw74]

JB111 please let us know. I was thinking about applying this weekend, specifically so I can get the syllabus. I'm teaching a class until mid-December and am starting my second semester of Hebrew with a break at Christmas. I was going to aim for starting mid-December but if it requires a lot of forum posts, reading assignments etc. I might just need to squeeze it in now so I can get that first class completed before January 1.

[jb111]

JB111 please let us know. I was thinking about applying this weekend, specifically so I can get the syllabus. I'm teaching a class until mid-December and am starting my second semester of Hebrew with a break at Christmas. I was going to aim for starting mid-December but if it requires a lot of forum posts, reading assignments etc. I might just need to squeeze it in now so I can get that first class completed before January 1.

Hi!  I emailed Gail@Nations.  She did not have the MRS 622 syllabus but sent BRS 100 (attached and very similar).  So look at that and compare vs. the MRS 622 summary below.  For the part about visiting 5 religious establishments, they allow you to do online research instead.  Here is where I found all the Masters course summaries https://www.nationsu.net/course/index.php?categoryid=21  Since it's asynchronous, there is no time limit on the courses - more based on what you can finish in your blocks of time.  Good luck.

[i]A consideration of spirituality, beginning with its reasonableness, its connection with the sacred, and its actualization

The course is laid out as a journey with stages, organized in five modules: (1) The Concept of Spirituality, (2) A Sense of the Sacred, (3) Spirituality Actualized, (4) A Spiritual Community, and (5) The Spiritual Life. A quest for authentic spirituality, the course objective is to inspire that longing, inquisitive, searching spirit within to look beyond the physical universe and claim the blessing that spirituality makes available. 3 semester hours of graduate credit. May not be taken if the student has credit for BRS 16.6. 
[/i]

Objectives

• Identify the concepts, methods, and structures related to a personal quest for a spiritual experience with God through Jesus Christ

• Identify spirituality, parameters, and its essence in terms of faith and reason.

• Recognize the emotional response to faith and how one is drawn to the sacred.

• Explain the effects of the spiritual community in the life of the spiritual person.


Credit. Credit for the course requires a score of 70 percent or greater on each of three multiple choice examinations, an electronic notebook that includes personal reflections, and a 2,000 word essay.  A sample exam problem is given below:

[i]From a biblical point of view, to believe that God is a Spirit, and then use an image in worship (A) is acceptable, if the image is considered a "representation" of God and not God himself, (B) helps the worshiper focus on the true God, © is inconsistent with biblical teaching.

Resources[/i]

You will find the following resources very helpful in your journey.

A Bible in any translation

à Kempis, Thomas. [i]The Invitation of Christ. Dover Publications, 2003. 160 pages. $2.50. ISBN: 978-0486431857

Augustine. The Confessions of Augustine. Dover Publications, 2002. 319 pages. $4. ISBN: 978-0486424668[/i]

Suggested Addition

Srygley, David. [i]From Cloisters to Cubicles: Spiritual Disciplines for the Not-So-Monastic Life. Westbow Press, 2015. Paperback/eBook, $13.95/$4.99  ISBN: 978-1490867243.[/i]

Works by à Kempis and Augustine can be read online, if you prefer. 

The Confessions of Saint Augustine
Imitation of Christ

[Ideas]

In the past they used to let you start and put your account on hold for a period of time. The time its on hold doesn't count against the two year tuition lock (I think). So maybe get the first class started, finished and put it all on hold until you get the second bachelors. You might check on that though. The person who posted that posted it years ago before accreditation. They may have a different policy. But so far, in my experience they seem pretty easy to work with.

I got a reply which was a little vague in my opinion. But they don't seem to give the leeway they used to. Apparently a medical leave would not stop the clock on the 2 years. If a medical leave won't, I don't think much else will.

Thanks jb111. I'm uncertain but it seems to me that those descriptions omit a lot of requirements. i.e. The MRS 622 says three examinations, reflections (notebook), and an essay. But it seems like, from what those other users said, it is more. The BRS 100 syllabus says discussion forums for example, and so did that other user.

---

JB111 please let us know. I was thinking about applying this weekend, specifically so I can get the syllabus. I'm teaching a class until mid-December and am starting my second semester of Hebrew with a break at Christmas. I was going to aim for starting mid-December but if it requires a lot of forum posts, reading assignments etc. I might just need to squeeze it in now so I can get that first class completed before January 1.

I think applying sooner is the best idea. From what that user (on the other forum) said, the first class needs 25 discussion posts of 300 words each. 

I wonder how good the NU time estimates are. They estimate 135 hours to complete BRS 100. I don't have much background so I think I'll be slower.

[Ideas]

To add to what I was saying, 135 hours spread over a month is 22 hours a week. It seems like the time required for undergrad courses is overestimated by a lot, but I'm not sure this one is. So I'm trying to figure out if I can spare about 20 hours a week while doing other stuff. In addition, I find that I can't concentrate on any one subject as much as I can do spread over 2 or 3 or more different subjects. I would work on 2 NU courses at once.

However, I'm leaning toward enrolling.

From that other user's post, MRS 622 has "four tests. Book Review 5 pages. Read three books. Research Paper of about 10 pages. 25 forum posts of at least 300 words. A reflection paper that was about 12 pages. And a 500 word essay". That is different from the MRS 622 description. I'm thinking they changed the requirements since his post. It was from early 2016.

Oh, and that other user said the final course had 9 essays.

[jb111]

I hope reading the recommended books in advance will help - would really like to get some momentum going.  There are also youtube videos and stuff to warm you up.