Webster

Hi guys. So first off, I have a BA in Speech Comm looking to pursue a masters in Health Comm. I will be applying for Fall 2014 and am trying to get an early start on the app process & researching fitting programs. From my credentials (listed below), how do you suspect I will fare regarding admission and funding??? -Undergrad GPA: 3.41 (Last 60: 3.8) -Major GPA: 3.83 -Deans List -3 confirmed LOR from head of Speech Comm Dept, former Comm prof, and former Health prof *GRE: Predicting somewhere around 145 Q, 140/V, 3.0 Writing (Honestly...I truly do not perform well with standardized tests) Top 5 program choices: Portland State, Washington State, Miami (FL), UNC-Charlotte, and UW-Milwaukee Again, please be honest in how you think I will fare ESPECIALLY with funding... Thanks!!!

Hey guys...so I am thinking of applying to Nova Southeastern University's MS English Education program for next fall. Post graduation my goal is to teach high school English and maybe a few community college courses. However, here is the kicker...virtually all of the courses are online. Although Nova is a solid university, I am unsure if educational institutions I apply to will consider an "online degree" credible. Does anyone have degrees that mostly consist of online courses or any experience with online courses? Any suggestions on potential employers reactions? Thanks!

Hey Guys! This year I begin the long awaited adventure of submitting applications for Fall 2014 English MA programs. So far leading the pack is Oregon State University. However, here's the thing... I do not have an undergraduate degree in English. My undergraduate degree is in Speech Communications (3.4 overall GPA) harboring 12 English/Rhetoric/Comp credits (3.0 GPA) under my belt. With these credentials, I am curious as to if I could receive feedback as to the likelihood of acceptance for an MA program, specifically OSU if anyone is familiar with their program. I would apply for the Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture track as opposed to the Literature & Culture track. Even though I do not boast a BA in English, aforementioned I have taken several rhetoric, speech, and writing courses. That being said, is there anything I can do to compliment my application? Is anyone else applying to English programs with a degree in another field? OSU School of Writing, Literature, and Film admissions criteria: http://oregonstate.edu/cla/wlf/node/146 (NOT needed for consideration to the program: B.A. in English, English/writing course prerequisites, GRE scores, minimum undergrad GPA.) Thanks!!!

Hey Guys! So I am going to start applying for Fall 2014 English MA programs. So far my first choice is Oregon State University. I initially wanted to venture down the Rhetoric track, as my undergraduate degree favors that path quite heavily. Upon further review, I am torn between that and the Literature Track in which I would focus on Renaissance or Early Modern Literature. However, here's the thing... I do not have an undergraduate degree in English. My undergraduate degree is in Speech Communications (3.4 overall GPA) with 12 English/Rhetoric/Comp courses (3.0 GPA) under my belt. With these credentials, I am curious as to if I could get any feedback as to the likelihood of acceptance for an MA program, specifically OSU, if anyone is familiar with their program. Furthermore, is there anything I can do to compliment my application? Thanks!

I am wondering how difficult it will be to land a job with a PhD from a sociology program such as University Wisconsin-Milwaukee. It is not a well known program because they just started their PhD program this fall. If I am seeking a teaching job at a university will they be sifting for top 20 programs on a resume such as Berkeley, Wisconsin, Chicago, UNC, etc? What are univerisites looking for besides the program in which one obtained their PhD? Any insight is appreciated.Thank you all.

I've been researching Florida grad schools for sociology, and UCF doesn't seem to be shining the brightest light. However, I have not heard much about the program other than what is online and what the graduate coordinator told me. Take this with a grain of salt but in no way does it seem like a "bad" program, but it is not a top shelf program, if you will. Nevertheless, UCF is a great school and I find it hard to believe that such a popular program such as sociology would not be decent. I would look into University of Florida. They are narrowed more towards criminology, which may entertain your domestic violence route. I'd also look at USF, as I've heard great things about their program. Robert Benford heads their program and I had him at SIUC. He is an outstanding professor. Like I said, as far as UCF goes, I would contact current grad students and faculty (with research that interest you) and ask them more about the program. I'm sorry I could not be more help, but I hope this helps a bit. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice Lauren! Well I wanted to do political speech writing...realized it was not for me...and was more interested in the sociology of politics, along with religion, social movements, etc. I will definitely try to get some research under my belt, I already have sociology classes but research and/or volunteering would definitely aid my application. My senior overview/thesis will be very sociology related concernining religious and political rhetoric in the media and how it shapes our society. (It will obviously be more narrowed down than that). However, I am not looking forward to the GRE. My ex girlfriend took it last fall and said it was agonizing haha. Anyway, I am graduating in December and trying for Fall 2012. When were you thinking of applying? What made you think about UCF??? Once again you've been a great help, thank you!

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated!

Your right it may be tough to earn a job at a top program. However, since the training is top notch do you think it wise to earn my MA there and try to apply to other PhD programs? Also, if the training is top notch how come it is not a ranked program? Or at least better recognized?

Has anybody considered University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Sociology Grad Program? Has anyone heard anything about it? I am considering applying for Fall 2012. If anyone could enlighten me on the program or even the school that would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Thank you all so much this is very helpful!

Hey guys, So heres the deal...I know 99.9% of schools require the GRE for admission into PhD programs. However, I have found several programs for Sociology MA that does not require GRE (Northern AZ, Northern CO, Wisc. Milwaukee, UMBC, NM St., etc.). I have a fairly negative view towards the GRE in that it does not measure a students capability to succeed in a graduate program whatsoever. I myself am not a good standardized test taker but an excellent student and would be a solid candidate for a Sociology grad program. Here is my question...as outlandish as it may be....and I'm sure the "Are you crazy?" answers will be pouting in.....but does anyone know any PhD programs that do not require the GRE for admission...or at least any that may admit you with a score below 1000? Thank you.

Hey all, I am in a bit of a pickle. I am a Speech Communications major and recently decide I wanted to pursue Sociology, eventually PhD. My question is, what are my chances of being accepted into a fairly good PhD program with a Masters in Social Work and no undergrad in Sociology? It is easier for me to get into a MSW program than a MA Sociology, because of my undergrad major and lack of Sociology degree. Would you recommend going straight for the MA in Sociology instead, even if it is at a not so well known program? (I've looked at Northern Colorado, Northern Arizona, NM State, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, UMBC, etc.) Thanks!

Hey all, I am in a bit of a pickle. I am a Speech Communications major and recently decide I wanted to pursue Sociology, eventually PhD. My question is, what are my chances of being accepted into a fairly good PhD program with a Masters in Social Work and no undergrad in Sociology? It is easier for me to get into a MSW program than a MA Sociology, because of my undergrad major and lack of Sociology degree. Would you recommend going straight for the MA in Sociology instead, even if it is at a not so well known program? (I've looked at Northern Colorado, Northern Arizona, NM State, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, UMBC, etc.) Thanks!

What program did you use?