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ELT partnership offers online master's degree Feburary 17, 2005 Balancing the demands of work and family is a struggle for many New York State United Teachers members. Add to that the time constraints of graduate work, and the challenges can seem insurmountable. NYSUT's Education Learning Trust has partnered with Excelsior College to make a difficult goal more attainable for busy educators seeking a master's degree. Certified teachers can earn a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree through Excelsior College by completing 15 program credits through the ELT, and 18 credits online through Excelsior College for a total of 33 graduate credits. "This is a tremendous benefit for members, both because of the program's convenience and cost," said Rosemarie Rosen, ELT program manager. Each three-credit course completed through the ELT will cost $550, plus book fees; Excelsior will charge its regular graduate tuition rate of $330 per credit hour for the remaining 18 credits. Travel time is less, since ELT courses are offered locally and Excelsior courses are provided online. Excelsior is a distance-learning college, based in Albany , offering associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees with flexibility in meeting the needs of working adults. The liberal studies degree is an interdisciplinary program designed to help adults gain perspective on the world and examine a topic of interest in depth. In addition to an interdisciplinary core and capstone project or thesis, the program offers three concentration tracks: literacy, special education and curriculum and assessment. "Since its founding, a major part of the statewide union's mission has been to improve the professional lives of its members," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira. "This partnership, which allows members to conveniently and affordably complete a graduate degree, is a great example." For information about the Excelsior College partnership, contact Glenn Jeffers at (800) 528-6208, e-mail eltmail@nysutmail.org or visit www.nysut.org/etp/excelsior.html. - Kara E. Smith |
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