Looking ahead to grad school

nahkoe · #1 11-12-2010, 01:27 PM

I'm trying to figure out where to go for grad school.

It has to be entirely online (or a mighty good program of study worth moving for).

I'm currently earning a multidisciplinary degree in history and religion from Liberty University.

I'm pretty open on what I end up studying, probably leaning towards religion, MDiv, theology, etc..... Maybe history, church history, etc?

I want to teach, so subject matter is pretty wide open.

I recently realized how close I'm getting to graduating and started to panic. I'd better figure out where I want to go and what I want to study so I can figure out how to get there!

pelathais · #2 11-12-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nahkoe

I'm trying to figure out where to go for grad school.

It has to be entirely online (or a mighty good program of study worth moving for).

I'm currently earning a multidisciplinary degree in history and religion from Liberty University.

I'm pretty open on what I end up studying, probably leaning towards religion, MDiv, theology, etc..... Maybe history, church history, etc?

I want to teach, so subject matter is pretty wide open.

I recently realized how close I'm getting to graduating and started to panic. I'd better figure out where I want to go and what I want to study so I can figure out how to get there!

When you say you want to teach, what sort of teaching do you have in mind?

Public school students would benefit a great deal from your perspective (IMHO) and to pursue that you might need to focus more on the history than the "religion" aspect. Not that there's anything wrong with "religion" - it's just the "history" would be more marketable in this sector.

Teaching at a post-secondary level would generally require that you continue on toward a doctoral program.

Just some thoughts. Good luck and have fun with it all!

Dedicated Mind · #3 11-12-2010, 01:38 PM

cogratulations for the hard work. I wish you the best.

nahkoe · #4 11-12-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pelathais

When you say you want to teach, what sort of teaching do you have in mind?

Public school students would benefit a great deal from your perspective (IMHO) and to pursue that you might need to focus more on the history than the "religion" aspect. Not that there's anything wrong with "religion" - it's just the "history" would be more marketable in this sector.

Teaching at a post-secondary level would generally require that you continue on toward a doctoral program.

Just some thoughts. Good luck and have fun with it all!

I'd definitely prefer teaching a post-secondary level and do intend to continue on toward a doctoral program.

I may end up teaching at a secondary level in order to pay for things while I'm studying, and I know that I can certify to teach in Texas once I have my bachelor degree. It's just an option I have in the back of my mind at all times.

nahkoe · #5 11-12-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

cogratulations for the hard work. I wish you the best.

Thanks.

coadie · #6 11-12-2010, 01:51 PM

Start with the end in mind. Talk to a school that employs people that do what you want to do. Ask them what schools they want to hire from.

Cindy · #7 11-12-2010, 01:55 PM

Get busy and get er done. Congratulations BTW!!!!

hawks-cry · #8 11-12-2010, 06:53 PM

nahkoe..
I just wanted to throw a little bit of an idea your way. You said you're attending Liberty U???
Well,...I'm right now "attending" Nations U. and from what I've been told,...their credits will transfer into Liberty. That may be the BA into the Master's program in religious studies. But perhaps it could also be the MRS from Nations into the Masters of Divinity at Liberty U (which is regionally accredited for teaching)...........Now here's the idea,.....
I am retired,..so I can't go the $$$$ for a graduate program. Well,...Nations U is run by volunteer former univerity professors. (now retired). So the cost is only $100 per year for Americans. That's because it is a college associated with the United Christian Churches/Churches of Christ,..and the studies are in religion only (but not from any paticular doctrine"s viewpoint.)
They offer the "Master's in Religious Studies" (MRS) and the "Master's of Divinity". One can take the MRS first,.....then transfer the credits for the Masters of Divinity. Or,...in your case,...nahkoe,...perhaps you can get a very respectable and cheap MRS,..and transfer the credits into Libery's Master of Divinity program.
Nation U is not as yet accredited (although very respected)...but they have candidate status with the DETC (a national accreditor recognized by the US Department of Education).
Maybe you could check with http://www.nationsu.org/ ..and then check with Liberty U,..to see if that could meet your needs. (It could really save you some $$$$)!!
But I can tell you,...Nations U is pretty rough. I can't seem to make above a B on any of the tests. Downright disappointing!

(I'm halfway through my MRS program now).....

nahkoe · #9 11-12-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawks-cry

nahkoe..
I just wanted to throw a little bit of an idea your way. You said you're attending Liberty U???
Well,...I'm right now "attending" Nations U. and from what I've been told,...their credits will transfer into Liberty. That may be the BA into the Master's program in religious studies. But perhaps it could also be the MRS from Nations into the Masters of Divinity at Liberty U (which is regionally accredited for teaching)...........Now here's the idea,.....
I am retired,..so I can't go the $$$$ for a graduate program. Well,...Nations U is run by volunteer former univerity professors. (now retired). So the cost is only $100 per year for Americans. That's because it is a college associated with the United Christian Churches/Churches of Christ,..and the studies are in religion only (but not from any paticular doctrine"s viewpoint.)
They offer the "Master's in Religious Studies" (MRS) and the "Master's of Divinity". One can take the MRS first,.....then tranfer the credits for the Masters of Divinity. Or,...in your case,...nahkoe,...perhaps you can get a very respectable and cheap MRS,..and transfer the credits into Libery's Master of Divinity program.
Nation U is not as yet accredited (although very respected)...but they have candidate status with the DETC (a national accreditor recognized by the US Department of Education).
Maybe you could check with http://www.nationsu.org/ ..and then check with Liberty U,..to see if that could meet your needs. (It could really save you some $$$$)!!
But I can tell you,...Nations U is pretty rough. I can't seem to make above a B on any of the tests. Downright disappointing!

(I'm halfway through my MRS program now).....

Wow..thanks! I'll look into them.

Rough sounds good..I really consider all of my college experience to date a fairly expensive exercise in wasting my time. I'd rather get something out of this..

My biggest concern will be keeping loans in deferment, it sounds like Nations U may not count as student status for those purposes.

Staying at Liberty is an option I'm considering, they do have an MDiv and then a doctorate program in systematic theology (church history) that looks interesting. I just don't know how employable that would make me upon graduation, or how to find out.

hawks-cry · #10 11-12-2010, 07:14 PM

http://www.degreeinfo.com/forum.php
..another idea for you,...is to check with the above "distance" college degree forum. You could register and ask questions there. Believe me,...these folks are VERY well informed!!! A lot of them already have their Phds,...and know a lot about all the "at-a-distance" institutes of higher learning. One of the main guys on there is Dr. John Bear,...from whom I had the priviledge 25 years ago to read his scholarly book on the subject. His book led me to my BA from State U of NY (grad. '91). They could give you some good ideas (but I bet they will mostly recommend Liberty and Nations U). If you want to teach,...you will want to finish your Masters degree with a regionally accredited (RA) college (such as LIberty).

Quote:

My biggest concern will be keeping loans in deferment, it sounds like Nations U may not count as student status for those purposes

No,...don't think so.