The Importance of a GPA for grad school

[DBRENNAN118]

Love this forum. thanks all. i'm no kid - graduated HS like 25 yrs ago. I've had a pretty successful career, without the degree, but just never felt satisfied w/myself. I want that degree to 'tic the box', as well as to feel the accomplishment. As for a Master's, it would really be 'gravy', but I felt like if i were to do it, I would want to do it with a name school. Not sure why, just feel that way. I was curious from some of you seasoned vets on here, if a Masters from TESU would carry as much 'weight' as say a Penn State Online or similar. Not that I want to spend $30k, but I was curious. I have a friend w/a Masters from U of Phoenix, and it has not helped him one bit. I was unsure if that was due to the school, or him. I know lots to consider - just looking for support, insight, and a sounding board. Thanks again all. 102 CR as of this a.m, 6 more classes/tests to go!!

[navy3912]

Love this forum. thanks all. i'm no kid - graduated HS like 25 yrs ago. I've had a pretty successful career, without the degree, but just never felt satisfied w/myself. I want that degree to 'tic the box', as well as to feel the accomplishment. As for a Master's, it would really be 'gravy', but I felt like if i were to do it, I would want to do it with a name school. Not sure why, just feel that way. I was curious from some of you seasoned vets on here, if a Masters from TESU would carry as much 'weight' as say a Penn State Online or similar. Not that I want to spend $30k, but I was curious. I have a friend w/a Masters from U of Phoenix, and it has not helped him one bit. I was unsure if that was due to the school, or him. I know lots to consider - just looking for support, insight, and a sounding board. Thanks again all. 102 CR as of this a.m, 6 more classes/tests to go!!

It really depends on what environment you are using the masters in. Much of the government it is just a 'tic in the box' while others such as engineering it matters. I feel the same way you do regarding degrees. I recently received my BA in Liberal Arts from TESU and just got accepted into a Penn State MS program.

Congrats...you are almost there!

[sanantone]

The utility of a TESU master's degree will be the same as a degree from any other no-name, state school. It won't have the stigma of a degree from University of Phoenix, but it also won't have the name recognition of Penn State.

I got into a master's program with a degree from TESC without having a TESC GPA, but I had graded credits from other colleges/universities, so I'm not going to tell you that it's easy to get into many different graduate programs without any graded credits based on my experience with having graded credits. I really think you should hear from someone who completely tested out (including ACE/NCCRS courses) of a degree.

[DBRENNAN118]

Hope to hear back on that, but I will also do my own research - I will let everyone know what I find out.

[cookderosa]

Love this forum. thanks all. i'm no kid - graduated HS like 25 yrs ago. I've had a pretty successful career, without the degree, but just never felt satisfied w/myself. I want that degree to 'tic the box', as well as to feel the accomplishment. As for a Master's, it would really be 'gravy', but I felt like if i were to do it, I would want to do it with a name school. Not sure why, just feel that way. I was curious from some of you seasoned vets on here, if a Masters from TESU would carry as much 'weight' as say a Penn State Online or similar. Not that I want to spend $30k, but I was curious. I have a friend w/a Masters from U of Phoenix, and it has not helped him one bit. I was unsure if that was due to the school, or him. I know lots to consider - just looking for support, insight, and a sounding board. Thanks again all. 102 CR as of this a.m, 6 more classes/tests to go!!

You could consider Harvard University's extension option. I started a master's degree with them but switched to a more job-applicable one. That said, a master's through Harvard Extension can be had for about $25k and it is open enrollment for your first 3 classes. If you pass, you're in. Test out or not- makes not difference. Harvard Division of Continuing Education

[DBRENNAN118]

You could consider Harvard University's extension option. I started a master's degree with them but switched to a more job-applicable one. That said, a master's through Harvard Extension can be had for about $25k and it is open enrollment for your first 3 classes. If you pass, you're in. Test out or not- makes not difference. Harvard Division of Continuing Education

Will definitely look into that! Thanks

[inkleind]

These are all good inputs. I still wish someone who only tested out could weigh in with their experiences.

[DBRENNAN118]

These are all good inputs. I still wish someone who only tested out could weigh in with their experiences.

Me too. Maybe I'll be the first! I should make June graduation, so will look to apply in the fall.

[inkleind]

any updates to this?
I'm working my way towards it but would still love to hear from someone who completely tested out on their success of getting in to a masters program without a GPA...

[Synicaal]

any updates to this?
I'm working my way towards it but would still love to hear from someone who completely tested out on their success of getting in to a masters program without a GPA...

I'm planning on going to UAlbany after my TESU Degree. On the site UAlbany doesn't say anything about a GPA requirement. I will have a GPA from my HVCC transcript but not TESU. Right now I'm not worried about it for my goal. However you should look into where you want to go for your masters and see what they require in terms of a GPA. I have to take the GMAT and have a teacher write a recommendation. I know people get accepted all the time into Master's Programs after testing out at TESU. But once again look into your choice of Masters Program first.