Who to ask for LOR if undergrad is unrelated to grad?

[Priss]

I am applying to a field that is completely unrelated to my undergarduate studies.

I have taken several online classes and one physical university class for in the field that I want to apply for graduate school in. The problem is, most of my classes are online (provided by my local community college), and taught by different people. Should I ask these professors for recommendation even though all I did was turn in assignments electronically before the weekly deadline?

I have tried asking my the professor who taught the university class, but she said if I were to take another one of her classes and do well, then she would consider. However, university classes are really, really expensive if you are not enrolled (at least in my area), and I don't know if a letter of recommendation from a university professor is worth another $900?

I work full time, also in an occupation that is completely unrelated to the field that I will be applying to for Masters program. Should I ask my supervisors for letters of recommendation even though they technically cannot comment on my work or capability in the field that I will be applying to?

I have mediocore undergrad grades (GPA 3.2) and am planning to re-take the GRE (81 precentile on verbal last time, but bombed math so need to retake). I am very stuck at the LOR stage since my undergraduate work and my occupation are totally unrelated to the programs I am applying for, and the only resources I have looks a bit, well, dubious at the moment.

Anybody has any suggestions as to whom I should go to for my letters of recommendation?

Thank you!

[dntw8up]

Your best bet is to get recommendations from professors who know your work well, even if that work is in a different field, so I suggest you choose professors from classes in your undergraduate major.

[Priss]

First of all, thanks for the advice! My undergrad is in History and Japanese Studies, but I'm applying for Informatics Masters....do you still think that would work?

Also, supposing that I have the money to take another university class, should I do it so I can get a university professor's recommendation? Like, does anybody think the letter would have a great impact on my application? the particular department in the university has a very good reputation in the field, but I took undergraduate classes and the lecturer is a PhD candidate (or she JUST finished her PhD...something like that), not a regular full-time professor. Anybody think it's worth it to spend $900 for the class and get a LOR from her, rather than take an online class with the same content at a community college for something like $700 less?

[dntw8up]

A recommendation from a professor you only had for one class isn't likely to be very strong, so it's not worth any extra $. Ideally your recommenders will have advised you academically, taught several of your classes, worked with you on a project outside of class, or something else that enabled them to get a sense for your suitability for graduate work. You want recommenders who can write something more than "did well in class."

[Sigaba]

If you take the second course taught by the professor mentioned in the OP, you will have the opportunity to develop rapport with an academic in your intended field of study. IMO, the $900 will be worthwhile if you develop positive rapport. By positive rapport, I mean by conceptualizing the work you do as an investment in your own education, not merely as an expense.

My $0.02.

[rising_star]

I would use professors from your undergraduate degree and maybe one nonacademic LOR. The letters ust need to talk about your potential to excel as a graduate student. They don't need to be super-specific since you're applying for a master's. I wouldn't take another class with that person for $900, especially if that person does not already hold a PhD.