Thinking of doing a Masters-distance learning. Anyone tried this?

[yashin]

I am thinking of doing a Masters degree.  I finished University like 10yrs ago and want to do something else.  I went straight into working and never really gave it any thought.

I would like to do a Masters in Education.  The cost of the complete thing will be about 5000 UK pounds or 7500 Euro and will spread over 3-5yrs.

Anyone tried the distance learning method?  How useful was it?  Is it a struggle juggling a full time job and completing the units?

Has a Masters degree helped you in your job?

[bwv 1080]

Unless your motivation is the pure love of learning it probably is a waste of time.  If you are looking to acquire skills to improve job prospects, employers do not give the same credence to distance learning that they give to a regular university.  Most schools have executive programs designed for people with full time jobs - that is the way to go.  In addition to the education you can make valuable contacts.

[KevinP]

I agree. I was told after I got hired that a major reason I was selected was because my MA *wasn't* a distance one. And I, too, would be reluctant to hire someone with only a distance degree.

That said, a distance MA is better than no MA. But if at all possibile, if you're going to do it, do it all the way.

[david johnson]

depending on the degree, some reputable (purdue, boston u, etc.) graduate schools offer that schooling choice.  i suggest taking advantage of your area universities.  you could probably get up to nine degrees hours online and the rest on campus...or maybe transfer some online study to a program (get approval first).

my son was able to knock out 9 hrs. that way.  very convenient.  i wish i had that option back when i was in grad school.

dj