Masters Degree

[starbug]

OK, so I'm feeling a little behind on the post count (I'm going to get into the debates in 'Show' but it's going to have to be tomorrow........) so I thought I'd ask you all to keep your fingers crossed for me.

I've just applied to do an MA in Human Rights. Part time, which will mean cutting my hours (and my pay) down to 4 days a week and working like a dog during evenings and weekends to keep up. It's something I've wanted to do for ages, and now seemed like the best time. No kids, little actual responsibility, and I work for a Uni, who quite like the PC-points scored by giving their employees the opportunity to become more educated.

Eventually, after 2 years, I should be more on the road to doing a job I actually want, rather than one that lost its appeal about a year ago.

The application is in, and now all I have to do is wait and see whether I'm accepted....

[fnordboy]

Good luck starbug! It's good that you are doing this now, like you said, with no real responsibilities like kids, etc. If you would have waited you would never get around to it since life always gets in the way.

Hope you get accepted and eventually get out of the job you don't want.

[Natasha (candygirl)]

I agree - do it now!

[Megs]

Good luck and consider all my fingers and toes crossed for you!

[grim4746]

That great, good luck! What kind of job is it that you will be on the road to? It sounds hectic, you will definitely need that new computer. When do you expect to hear back from admissions?

[starbug]

Thanks guys

Admissions could be anything up to 6 weeks. I've had the robot-produced acknowledgement of my application, which told me what I already knew since I hand-delivered the form.

I have to get one further academic reference (the reference-giver is away on hols and back next week) but I submitted without it after clearing it with the department I'll actually be studying in.

I'm planning on working in human rights public policy somehow; either for an NGO (non-governmental organisation - like a lobbyist/monitoring organisation I suppose) or for any one of a number of official bodies within either local or central government who need advice on human rights being entrenched in society in a sensible way ie not just a matter of being overly PC but actually finding measures that hold up theoretically and practically. Much of the course is about policy formulation, as well as the substantive individual rights and the sort of generic human rights political theory. There's quite a hefty international slant to it too.

I did some HR studies at undergrad but it was very legal (although this course will build on that, it's not the main focus), which just served to whet the appetite really.

I really hope I get in. I'm not quite sure of a realistic way into the field otherwise. Most applicants for those jobs at least have a masters, and probably oodles of experience too.

[grim4746]

That sounds amazing starbug! I don't know you well but from what I've read I think you will flourish in such a work environment. That sort of work has a huge appeal to me. I was about to go into a rant about NGOs and how valuable they are and that they are under attack by governments claiming to be democratic but who don't like to see the people trying to exercise power and influence outside of the ballot booth (or inside in some cases) but it became a little too specific and political so I'll just say hurray for NGOs and the sensible, compassionate people involved or in this case striving to be involved in them (though boourns to those involved for the sole purpose of forcing their own special interests which benefit only their own group, onto society as a whole).

[Natasha (candygirl)]

Wow, six weeks is a pretty fast turnaround! Here in the States, a lot of programs require your application be submitted by December in order to be considered for the fall term, and they have until April/May to notify you whether you have been accepted or not. That's a long time to be sitting on pins and needles! Six weeks is just long enough for the nervousness to begin to wear off before you start obsessively checking the mailbox

[starbug]

Yeah, it struck me as fast too. I think it's because it's a masters, and there isn't really an application deadline as such so they tend to filter in gradually so they're easier to get through for the admissions.

For undergrad, there's a national application system, and it takes forever. I rember having to write the form almost a year before I went off to Uni.

[Nothingman]

You go Starbug, get your learn on!

(Sorry for the delay, I was unplugged for a while.)

[lance]

Good Luck Starbug.

As long as you have plenty of caffeine handy you should do well.

-LanceMan

[Natasha (candygirl)]

UC Berkeley doesn't offer many master's programs - almost all of the graduate programs are for PhDs. Just as an example, the neuroscience graduate program accepted less than 20 people last year (I don't remember the exact numbers off my head), but all the application/paperwork crap is due mid-December, which is a only few weeks later than the undergrad deadline (end of November). Sounds like your school makes it much more convenient for everyone!

[Jody Barsch*]

OHH! I am so EXCITED for you STARBUG!!! Nothing makes me happier than the thought of going back to school! I wish you all the luck with admissions!!

UC Berkeley doesn't offer many master's programs - almost all of the graduate programs are for PhDs.

Yeah, for most of the graduate degrees in the UC system (the only colleges I'm really familiar with) you apply for the PHD program, and then if you only want your masters you drop out at that point. I have my masters in Education, M.Ed., but am just waiting until I can go back for my MA in English
... or Comp Lit, or Ethinc/Gender studies, or film, or ... Basically I just want to keep collecting degrees!

[starbug]

Wheeeeeeeeeeeee! I got in!! I'm sooooo happy

Induction is the week beginning 27th Sept, and teaching starts from 4th Oct, so I've got a bit to do before then. Like finally buy that laptop I want, get a broadband wireless connection to my house, go part time at work, and start learning again!

It's going to mean big changes but I'm sure it will be fine. And since I work for a uni, they pay half the fees. My boss is chucking £1000 in my direction and allowing me to go part time. Which, considering the course has nothing to do with my job, is pretty generous.

[emmie]

wow Starbug, that sounds like a great deal!! congrats!! and have fun becoming a student again.