From a reputable Undergrad degree to a less reputable Masters

[Hmmmmmm]

Hello everyone and thank you for reading,

 

A couple years ago I finished my undergraduate degree in English at a reputable (top 30) university, and I was able to maintain a 4.0 GPA.  I took the last few years off of school to travel, and now I intend to return to the US and begin a Masters program.  I am extremely limited geographically so I have only one university that I am able to attend in-person.  This is not a prestigious school, but it seems like it is both easy to get accepted and easy to get fully funded (with stipends!).  The other option I have is to find a distance-learning program that I could complete fully online.  I have found such a program at the University of Nottingham, but it costs £7920 ($12,437) for the whole Masters.  I hope to begin a PhD elsewhere in the future, and I do not want the college I choose now to be a hindrance to getting into a good university.

 

I cannot decide whether I should pay to attend the more prestigious and convenient school, or save money to attend a less prestigious program.  How important is the university's prestige from which I earned my Masters (when it comes to applying to a PhD program in the future)?

 

All comments and advice is welcome!

[CarefreeWritingsontheWall]

If I might ask - why is it that you're so 'geographically' limited?

 

If you intend to pursue a PhD, my main suggestion would be for you to apply to the programs you know suit you best. An MA will serve as your launching pad into a good program, not necessarily because of prestige but in how you get along with an avdisor, who you get to network with and the connections you make with your peers. For an MA I would not suggest a distance learning program because you'll miss out on some key interactions and research dynamics if you're simply doing the work from home. You may not find yourself as involved in your work if you're not surrounded by both physically and mentally.

 

If you want to complete a PhD, your MA will count. And if you want to make this a career, it's worth considering moving (even if it means moving your family if that's the issue) because this is just a stepping stone, not your end goal.

[rising_star]

I went from a top tier undergrad to a large state university that isn't highly ranked for my master's. The biggest thing was that the MA program I went to is respected within my field, even if many programs at the university are not. How do those in your intended field view your a master's from University of Wyoming? Where have recent MA graduates from the program gone on to get their PhD? Are there faculty at Wyoming who match with your research interests and who are available to supervise your thesis? Those are probably the three major questions you should be asking to help you decide if going to that program is right for you. Good luck!

[Xavinoid]

Why do you need an MA now if you know you want a PHD? Why not get a PHD now? Why not wait and get a MA+PHD later at the same time and just work now? Maybe I am just thinking of my own field though...

[geographyrocks]

Here's something to think about:

If the "more prestigious" school is completely online, how will you connect with any professors enough that they will be able to write you an excellent LOR for your phd?

[sacklunch]

Why do you need an MA now if you know you want a PHD? Why not get a PHD now? Why not wait and get a MA+PHD later at the same time and just work now? Maybe I am just thinking of my own field though...

 

STEM fields are completely different. Many (most in some fields) students in the humanities must get an M* before beginning an MA/PhD. I had four years of graduate work before beginning (2 M*) and will receive yet another M* after another two years of coursework toward my PhD! This is somewhat common in my field, hilariously.

 

In response to the OP. If the M* is respected in your field I think it's fine. Otherwise I would either wait until you can move to complete an MA or possibly take individual courses at said local school (though this will no doubt screw funding possibilities). I wouldn't waste your time with the online route unless that specific degree is respected (no idea, English folks can chime in).

Edited August 5, 2014 by sacklunch

[ExponentialDecay]

STEM fields are completely different. Many (most in some fields) students in the humanities must get an M* before beginning an MA/PhD. I had four years of graduate work before beginning (2 M*) and will receive yet another M* after another two years of coursework toward my PhD! This is somewhat common in my field, hilariously.

 

In response to the OP. If the M* is respected in your field I think it's fine. Otherwise I would either wait until you can move to complete an MA or possibly take individual courses at said local school (though this will no doubt screw funding possibilities). I wouldn't waste your time with the online route unless that specific degree is respected (no idea, English folks can chime in).

 

What, in the States?

 

Of course, I know a few people getting MAs in the humanities, but they're doing it because they're not sure about going PhD or because they get to live in London or some shit.