Summer Graduate-level courses in Chemistry

[ghomsid]

Hey guys,

I'm currently teaching chemistry at a high school, but also looking to earn a MSc degree at the same time mainly because the school I teach at will cover the cost of the master's degree. Unfortunately, due to the amount of work that I have during the school year, I can't really take any evening classes or anything of that nature. I was wondering if anyone knew of any good universities that offered graduate level courses in the summer which eventually lead to a master's degree. My goal is to get a master's in chem as I still have my heart in research and would like to work in industry in the near future.

So please do let me know if the school that you're enrolled at offers graduate level courses in the summer or if you know of any school that does that. I've done several searches on google, but can't seem to find any programs out there.

Thanks y'all!

[Kitkat]

I think that you will continue having a problem. Not that it is impossible. But the issues is that during the summer, most grad students are scheduled to do full time research, not to take classes. Of course I am basing this on from what I have seen researching the schools that I am looking at, and knowing some of the grad students at my school. But from what I gather, within the sciences in general, it seems like it is common practice in most sciences that classes are during the year, when many grad student also have TAships and the like, but the summers are specifically put aside for full time research.

[Eigen]

Pretty much what KitKat said. I'm not saying you won't find a place that offers summer chemistry courses at the graduate level, but I've personally never seen it.

In addition, keep in mind that research faculty often view the summer as their "break" from teaching- most of them use it to travel, write grants, etc., and wouldn't be around full time to teach a graduate level course. The undergraduate courses that are usually offered are often not the normal faculty that would teach during the year.

[ghomsid]

thanks, Kitkat & Eigen for your comments! I may just have to take a year or 2 off to get my master's.

I know some (not so prestigious) state schools do offer part time/evening classes. I'm just not comfortable with getting a master's from such universities. any thoughts on this? in terms of job prospects, is a master's from an ok state school considered a master's, if you know what I mean?? will i be looked down upon by a prospective employer is they saw my master's was from a mediocre state university? just wondering...