03-13-2017, 07:36 AM
Its been quite awhile since I last posted on this forum, but what prompted me to do so this time is that I wanted to tell you about another great option for grad school - Johns Hopkins University's Advanced Academic Programs.
Last summer I had decided I wanted my master's degree to be in government. I had determined that the two programs that met my requirements - online, relatively inexpensive, rigorous - were down to the Harvard Extension School and the Johns Hopkins University. I applied at the latter program because they did not have a requirement to spend a semester or two at the campus, unlike HES.
What shocked me was that I was accepted, although at the same time it was not shocking. Their entrance requirements require two or three professional or academic references, an essay and an application. One might think that without a rigorous vetting process the program was not as rigorous. I discovered quickly this was not so.
My degree concentration is in Security Studies, and one of my courses was in the Art and Practice of Intelligence. It was taught by a retired intelligence analyst who had worked in the intelligence community for over twenty years. She brought much insight into the program, and I came to respect what intelligence officers do.
I also had a course in Legislative Policymaking. It was taught by a person who had worked for various governmental committees and most of my fellow classmates work or have worked for various government entities. From this class I got to see how policy is made and interpreted by the courts, the agencies, by the president and by law. It gave me a better understanding of the complexity of the administrative state.
My current term I am taking a course in International Political Economy. Though the professor lives and works in Ireland, he is top notch. He is the top economist for the Senead Eireann - Senate of Ireland. He also oversaw the Irish bailout from the EU.
The thesis requirement is a bit unique, in that it is supposed to be a three part portfolio. You take three thesis courses where you write a minimum 25 page paper in each, writing a similar type theme and then in the final course you connect them together into a cohesive whole by inserting your unique observations of how they are connected.
If you are considering JHU, I'd highly recommend it.
Last summer I had decided I wanted my master's degree to be in government. I had determined that the two programs that met my requirements - online, relatively inexpensive, rigorous - were down to the Harvard Extension School and the Johns Hopkins University. I applied at the latter program because they did not have a requirement to spend a semester or two at the campus, unlike HES.
What shocked me was that I was accepted, although at the same time it was not shocking. Their entrance requirements require two or three professional or academic references, an essay and an application. One might think that without a rigorous vetting process the program was not as rigorous. I discovered quickly this was not so.
My degree concentration is in Security Studies, and one of my courses was in the Art and Practice of Intelligence. It was taught by a retired intelligence analyst who had worked in the intelligence community for over twenty years. She brought much insight into the program, and I came to respect what intelligence officers do.
I also had a course in Legislative Policymaking. It was taught by a person who had worked for various governmental committees and most of my fellow classmates work or have worked for various government entities. From this class I got to see how policy is made and interpreted by the courts, the agencies, by the president and by law. It gave me a better understanding of the complexity of the administrative state.
My current term I am taking a course in International Political Economy. Though the professor lives and works in Ireland, he is top notch. He is the top economist for the Senead Eireann - Senate of Ireland. He also oversaw the Irish bailout from the EU.
The thesis requirement is a bit unique, in that it is supposed to be a three part portfolio. You take three thesis courses where you write a minimum 25 page paper in each, writing a similar type theme and then in the final course you connect them together into a cohesive whole by inserting your unique observations of how they are connected.
If you are considering JHU, I'd highly recommend it.
A.A. General Studies- TESC, 2013
B.A. History, TESC, 2014 - Arnold Fletcher Award - 4.0 GPA
M.A. Government, Security Studies - Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2018.
Straighterline - 26 courses, including English Comp. I & II, Western Civilization I & II, U.S. History I & II, Intro. to Sociology, Intro to Philosophy, Cultural Anthropology, Environmental Science, Science of Nutrition, Business Law, Financial Accounting, etc.
ALEKS: Intermediate Algebra
CLEP: Humanities 56, Social Sciences and History 58
FEMA: 6 credits
DSST: Civil War and Reconstruction 71, Introduction to Vietnam War 69, Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union 64, Modern Middle East 71.
TESC courses: War and American Society (A), Liberal Arts Capstone (A).
120/120! I'm there!
"Another day has passed and I didn't use Algebra once."
" Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." Albert Einstein
B.A. History, TESC, 2014 - Arnold Fletcher Award - 4.0 GPA
M.A. Government, Security Studies - Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2018.
Straighterline - 26 courses, including English Comp. I & II, Western Civilization I & II, U.S. History I & II, Intro. to Sociology, Intro to Philosophy, Cultural Anthropology, Environmental Science, Science of Nutrition, Business Law, Financial Accounting, etc.
ALEKS: Intermediate Algebra
CLEP: Humanities 56, Social Sciences and History 58
FEMA: 6 credits
DSST: Civil War and Reconstruction 71, Introduction to Vietnam War 69, Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union 64, Modern Middle East 71.
TESC courses: War and American Society (A), Liberal Arts Capstone (A).
120/120! I'm there!
"Another day has passed and I didn't use Algebra once."
" Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." Albert Einstein
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