Back to School Again to Build on Your Strengths (Not to Reinvent the Wheel!)
In this section you will find ideas regarding:
A) Post Graduate Diplomas and Degrees
B) Second Degrees in One Year
C) Professional Schools
D) Little Known Grad Schools that have a high job rate
E) On-line or Distance Ed. Grad Schools including Grad Schools in Other Countries
Note from the Webmistress: This is geared to Canadian students but has applicability for other countries.
Danger! Danger! Will Robinson!
Before you invest another $20+ thousand in going to grad school, consider your reason for doing so. “I don’t know what else to do!” or “I want to avoid student loans payments!” are not good reasons. If getting another degree or diploma will not ensure you a meaningful well paying job, why do it?
Remember that Student Assistance/Loans Programs are very unforgiving. You cannot declare bankruptcy for 10 years – if in fact you can at all.
Instead, why not do your further education on-line and part time!
A) Graduate Diploma Programs
Example - Humber College
Humber College in Toronto has a number of graduate diploma programs in such fields as Media, Business and Management, Information Technology, Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism.
Check out www.postgraduate.humber.ca/proglist.htm
Cambrian College
Smaller communities may also offer graduate diploma programs. Cambrian College in Sudbury offers Advertising, Broadcast Media, Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment, Human Resources Management and Public Relations.
Check out www.cambriancollege.ca/programs/pages/programsgraduateopportunities.aspx
NB: Most, if not all, Graduate Diploma Programs have placements or internships. This is your chance to network. Make sure you do your studies and get your practicum in the place you want to work.
Before you invest another $20+ thousand in going to grad school, consider your reason for doing so. “I don’t know what else to do!” or “I want to avoid student loans payments!” are not good reasons. If getting another degree or diploma will not ensure you a meaningful well paying job, why do it?
Remember that Student Assistance/Loans Programs are very unforgiving. You cannot declare bankruptcy for 10 years – if in fact you can at all.
Instead, why not do your further education on-line and part time!
A) Graduate Diploma Programs
Example - Humber College
Humber College in Toronto has a number of graduate diploma programs in such fields as Media, Business and Management, Information Technology, Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism.
Check out www.postgraduate.humber.ca/proglist.htm
Cambrian College
Smaller communities may also offer graduate diploma programs. Cambrian College in Sudbury offers Advertising, Broadcast Media, Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment, Human Resources Management and Public Relations.
Check out www.cambriancollege.ca/programs/pages/programsgraduateopportunities.aspx
NB: Most, if not all, Graduate Diploma Programs have placements or internships. This is your chance to network. Make sure you do your studies and get your practicum in the place you want to work.
B) Second Degree in One Year
Example - Honors Bachelor of Social Work
Lakehead University offers a one year Honours Bachelor of Social Work designed for students who already have an undergraduate degree and wish to receive the training and professional qualification to allow them to enter into the profession of social work. The program offers the equivalent of the social work program content normally offered in first, second, third and fourth in a compressed, intensive 12 month delivery.
Why might an English major want to do this? It might be economically advantageous. The average starting wage of a BSW is $35,600; for a Bachelor in English it's $29,900.
Check out www.socialwork.lakeheadu.ca
C) Professional Schools
Completion of these almost guarantees a job. The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) provides application services for entry to various professional programs offered in Ontario.
While requirements vary from school to school and program to program, entry to professional degree programs often requires a high level of academic achievement. The completion of an undergraduate degree is usually preferred. Other non-academic requirements are also considered in the admission process.
OUAC www.ouac.on.ca includes:
The Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs (ORPAS)
ORPAS is the centralized application service for applying to Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy/Physiotherapy (PT), Audiology (AUD) and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) programs in Ontario.
The Ontario Law Schools (OLSAS)
The Ontario Medical Schools (OMSAS)
The Ontario Faculties of Education (TEAS)
Note: Can’t get into a Canadian Teacher’s College? More options coming up!
Example - Honors Bachelor of Social Work
Lakehead University offers a one year Honours Bachelor of Social Work designed for students who already have an undergraduate degree and wish to receive the training and professional qualification to allow them to enter into the profession of social work. The program offers the equivalent of the social work program content normally offered in first, second, third and fourth in a compressed, intensive 12 month delivery.
Why might an English major want to do this? It might be economically advantageous. The average starting wage of a BSW is $35,600; for a Bachelor in English it's $29,900.
Check out www.socialwork.lakeheadu.ca
C) Professional Schools
Completion of these almost guarantees a job. The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) provides application services for entry to various professional programs offered in Ontario.
While requirements vary from school to school and program to program, entry to professional degree programs often requires a high level of academic achievement. The completion of an undergraduate degree is usually preferred. Other non-academic requirements are also considered in the admission process.
OUAC www.ouac.on.ca includes:
The Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs (ORPAS)
ORPAS is the centralized application service for applying to Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy/Physiotherapy (PT), Audiology (AUD) and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) programs in Ontario.
The Ontario Law Schools (OLSAS)
The Ontario Medical Schools (OMSAS)
The Ontario Faculties of Education (TEAS)
Note: Can’t get into a Canadian Teacher’s College? More options coming up!
D) Little Known Grad Schools That Have a Good Employment Rate
Masters in Social Work by distance:
Dalhousie University offers both the MSW and BSW by distance, part time. See www.socialwork.dal.ca
Masters in Social Work by for Grads without a BSW:
Wilfred Laurier University – Integrated Stream: Takes people with general degrees. See www.wlu.ca
Masters in Librarial Science:
This little known degree welcomes arts and science students and is offered at Western University (among others.) See www.fims.uwo.ca/mlis
For the Master of Library and Information Science program, an applicant must be a graduate of a recognized university and have demonstrated the academic ability needed to succeed in graduate work. Students from a variety of subject backgrounds in the arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences are encouraged to apply.
Western's library and information science co-operative work/study program, begun in 1979, formally integrates a student's academic study with paid work experience. Students gain exposure to the professional environment, an opportunity to use and develop newly-acquired skills, and practical experience which will contribute to their training as professionals.
Masters in Education:
There are American colleges in Buffalo who welcome third as well as four year wanna-be teachers, and these colleges have reciprocity with Ontario. More on this later…
E) On-line or Distance Ed. Grad Schools including Grad Schools in Other Countries
In Canada – Athabasca University. See www.athabascau.ca/calendar/grad
In Britain (foreign tuition rate) - Open University. See www3.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate
In the States, you can enroll in online masters degree programs
Another example is Mizzou
Masters in Social Work by distance:
Dalhousie University offers both the MSW and BSW by distance, part time. See www.socialwork.dal.ca
Masters in Social Work by for Grads without a BSW:
Wilfred Laurier University – Integrated Stream: Takes people with general degrees. See www.wlu.ca
Masters in Librarial Science:
This little known degree welcomes arts and science students and is offered at Western University (among others.) See www.fims.uwo.ca/mlis
For the Master of Library and Information Science program, an applicant must be a graduate of a recognized university and have demonstrated the academic ability needed to succeed in graduate work. Students from a variety of subject backgrounds in the arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences are encouraged to apply.
Western's library and information science co-operative work/study program, begun in 1979, formally integrates a student's academic study with paid work experience. Students gain exposure to the professional environment, an opportunity to use and develop newly-acquired skills, and practical experience which will contribute to their training as professionals.
Masters in Education:
There are American colleges in Buffalo who welcome third as well as four year wanna-be teachers, and these colleges have reciprocity with Ontario. More on this later…
E) On-line or Distance Ed. Grad Schools including Grad Schools in Other Countries
In Canada – Athabasca University. See www.athabascau.ca/calendar/grad
In Britain (foreign tuition rate) - Open University. See www3.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate
In the States, you can enroll in online masters degree programs
Another example is Mizzou
Warning: There are lots of “degree mill” universities. The following in an example!
The Degree Packages available at Ashw**d contain 10 Documents altogether:
1 Original Accredited Degree
2 Original Transcripts
1 Award of Excellence
1 Certificate of Distinction
1 Certificate of Membership
4 Education Verification Letters
If you want to apply for this degree now, you may click here and get your accredited degree for just $599. There is a 100% money-back guarantee in case you do not get approved.(How could you not be!?)
Example - Ashw**d University: Online Doctorate Program This program offers you an opportunity to earn a online doctorate degree based on your work or life experience, without requiring you to take admission exams, attend classes, or study course books.” (Sound unusual!?)
“The assessment for your online doctorate degree will be done by our professional and knowledgeable evaluation faculty for free without charging your credit card. If you qualify, your card will then be charged and your degree will be sent to you in 7 days.” (Heh!?)
If you are laughing, just think what your potential employers will be doing if you call yourself "Dr." from Ashw**d
The Degree Packages available at Ashw**d contain 10 Documents altogether:
1 Original Accredited Degree
2 Original Transcripts
1 Award of Excellence
1 Certificate of Distinction
1 Certificate of Membership
4 Education Verification Letters
If you want to apply for this degree now, you may click here and get your accredited degree for just $599. There is a 100% money-back guarantee in case you do not get approved.(How could you not be!?)
Example - Ashw**d University: Online Doctorate Program This program offers you an opportunity to earn a online doctorate degree based on your work or life experience, without requiring you to take admission exams, attend classes, or study course books.” (Sound unusual!?)
“The assessment for your online doctorate degree will be done by our professional and knowledgeable evaluation faculty for free without charging your credit card. If you qualify, your card will then be charged and your degree will be sent to you in 7 days.” (Heh!?)
If you are laughing, just think what your potential employers will be doing if you call yourself "Dr." from Ashw**d