I dropped out of my graduate program -

[ChoralScholar]

The Master's program I am(was) in, is a very new online degree program at Boston University. The first few classes were great, but the last two or three have been wrought with disorganization, shifting expectations, changed deadlines, inconsistent grading, and just general petty nonsense.

Watching this program is something akin to seeing a police officer breaking the law - why would I get an education degree from people who are clueless about education?

When you (meaning them) market a program to full-time teachers, you better be rock solid with your expectations, because we (music teachers) have very little time to spare as it is, and certainly can't put our job requirements on hold, just because you decide you want the assignment in a different format at the last minute, or on an earlier date.

So, I am done with BU. I am leaving with 24 credit hours, and a 4.0 GPA. I'm off to Missouri State University to finish my Master's Degree in a tried-and-true program. Hopefully some will transfer.

Thank you for helping me get this off my chest! You guys are great as always.

Anyone want a drink? This round's on me.
:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

[hfojvt]

1. MSU? Where is that?

I heard good things about UMKC, but that was the economics department.

Why would you get an education degree from people who are clueless about education?

I thought the whole point of a degree is not to learn something, but to get the degree, which is like a boarding pass for the 'good job train'.

And a boarding pass from Boston is probably going to have more status than one from MSU. I got mine from Nebraska, and as I never get tired of trashing my alma mater, it is worth a little bit less than a square of toilet paper. It's an even bigger joke than their basketball team.

[ChoralScholar]

2. I already have a great job. I was doing it to hone my skills.

It doesn't even mean that much more money.

Missouri State is in Springfield, MO (about an hour from here). Missouri State, in my field (music education) is VERY respectable. MSU (formerly SMSU) has had a great music program for many years - performing at national and divisional conventions, touring internationally, etc.

I originally intended to go to MSU, but the online BU program sounded great, and it would save me two one-hour drives per week. Little did I know...

UMKC has a great music ed program too, but it's about 3.5 hrs to KC from here.
Thanks for your reply.

[gr8dane_daddy]

3. I did the same thing 11 yrs ago...

dropped out of a graduate program. Took me some time, but I found a new interest to pursue and now making plans to start my PhD program in 2008. Sometimes you have to take a step back before moving forward. Good luck...

[Evoman]

4. I had some tough times in my program...but this link helped get me through it.

http://yarinareth.net/Dorothea/gradsch/straighttalk.html

Have a look. Very smart people drop out of grad programs all the time. It says nothing about you personally.

[BlueIris]

5. Dude. Thank you.

That link rocks. I was looking for validation for my decision not to go to grad school at all and...I think I'll find it there. You rule.

[Evoman]

6. No problem...its something I think all grad students should read.

There are way to many myths and misconceptions about grad school and what it takes to succeed.

[ChoralScholar]

9. Thanks for the info. I will read later today.

[BlueIris]

7. Kick. Not enough sympathy here, Loungers!

Let's get on it, people! It's that time of the year.

[ChoralScholar]

15. Thank you so much.

I appreciate all your sympathy.

[DrDan]

8. Congratulations!

I am an undergraduate alum (mathematics)of Mo State (actually back when it was Southwest Mo State U)

I have very good memories of my time there . . .

[ChoralScholar]

14. It seems to be a great school.

Like I said, I live an hour away (Harrison, AR)so it makes the most sense.

[izzybeans]

10. My wife started an online master's program with Ball State University

She too is a full time teacher. I can see how this could very easily become a problem. So far the professors have been really sensitive about time. And the assignments have been very practical thus far. I will tell her of your experience because it is certainly something to keep an eye on in her case.

Good luck!

[ChoralScholar]

12. The program started well.

The first few classes were very well organized. As the program grew, it got more and more disorganized.

[swag]

11. Good man.

Good for you for escaping the incompetents and moving on to something better.

[ChoralScholar]

13. Thanks, swag. EOM

[ncrainbowgrrl]

16. Good luck! Sounds like you thought hard about this- and it's right for you!

Not all programs are good for all people. I personally have 2 friends who left grad programs- one even ABD, because the fit wasn't right, and they were miserable. One is now Extremely successful at her new program, and is in a great mood all the time. When she was here, she was always annoyed with the beaurocracy and other stuff. It was a poor fit, but they gave her $$$, so she came here first- and had a VERY comfortable lifestyle. The other program is giving her more money, but with the cost of living there, it turns out to be practically living on close to nothing. But she's happy, learning, and writing away- having discussions with colleagues with similar interests academically, and a totally different person. This decision was hard on her at the time, but looking back now, knowing how amazingly happy she is with her environment, I can't imagine how awful it would have been had she stayed here, plugged away, and gotten her PhD.

Shoot for the moon- Grad school is for learning more about something you care about. Especially with music. Thank you for being a music teacher. All kids need music, imho. People who can share their love of music by teaching are doing a great service... and I hope that this program is a better fit for you. It already sounds like it will be!!

Best of luck,
ncrg (who graduated college with a vocal performance minor) :-)

[Pied Piper]

17. You are not alone!

I also dropped out of a Master's of Music program at BU, but I attended the bricks-and-mortar version. Just be glad you got out when you did. I don't know anything about their online program, but I can tell you that the music program is a festering pit of hacks. Absolutely the poorest school administration I have ever seen. Some great faculty members (mostly adjunct), but that's about it. I was there 16 years ago, and it hasn't changed a bit ("Same circus, different clowns").

I think that BU was built on an ancient Indian burial ground and that the whole place is cursed.

Am I bitter? Not anymore, but it took a long time to exorcise those demons.

Good luck at MSU!