Meredith -the Excel spreadsheet must be interesting! I'm sure there are many here who would love to see the data! A few things?I'd like to mention about distance learning...well I loved my coursework and my professors! Not a museum studies program, but I took distance learning courses via UNR. These are courses that I would have not been able to enrol in anywhere else in the US...without the distance learning program, would have had to relocate to NV. My professors were great...and one was teaching in England when I enrolled in a course. So of course I would not have been able to take that course w/him even if I had relocated. Great, terrific communication via email and telephone. In fact I found the correspondence to be more indepth and helpful than most in person conversations I've had with profs during office hours! The course materials sent to me were excellent! And no running to the library, making photocopies, etc. Some materials had to be returned and others that I chose not to keep...I passed along back for other students to use. If you've never taken a distance learning course, perhaps you might try one course anyway to assist in your decision. Either way, best of luck to you. Pam [VISTA 1988-90 :)] -----Original Message----- From: Meredith Dunham <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 10:13 am Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Distance Learning in Museum Studies I have recently been researching schools who have Master's degrees in Museum Studies and Historic Preservation (nerd that I am, I even created an Excel spreadsheet?detailing all of my findings).? I too was interested in the distance learning option but have since changed my mind after speaking to a friend and out of personal preference.? I like the classroom setting, I feel I get more out of it than an online class because I can talk to students and professors in an informal setting in between classes or in scheduled meetings.?? ? My friend who is also considering this option and has chosen George Washington University, not because it has the best program, but because of the networking opportunities she will have access to.? A colleague told her that some organizations will hire almost completely on the college that candidates attended.? Since she told me that, I have run across it at one or two places so I think that the school you choose can make some difference, but, like anything,?it depends on the organization that's hiring. ? I too would like to know what hiring managers think of online degrees and what preferences the museum community at large has for universities that offer a Master's degree. Meredith Dunham AmeriCorps*VISTA ? [log in to unmask] Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew. ???? ~Saint Francis de Sales Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 09:30:20 -0400 From: [log in to unmask] Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Distance Learning in Museum Studies To: [log in to unmask] Ladies and Gentlemen, ? After 15 years in the field, I considering pursuing a Master Degree in Museum Studies by distance learning and have a few questions: ? I aware of the programs at the University of Leicester and the University of Oklahoma and have read through the information on their websites.? Could someone comment on the reputation and quality of either of those programs?? Are there other reputable programs I should consider? Since I not planning on relocating to the UK anytime soon, is there a preference at institutions in the United States for a degree earned in the United States?? Does it matter? Is there any stigma associated with distance learning?? I imagining those commercials that advertised courses in gun smithing and plumbing via U.S. Mail. Does anyone feel that distance learning (even with the bells and whistles of modern communication) is less of an experience than on-campus learning?? Someone once mentioned that contact with other graduate students in your program is important.? Is it important to be in the same room? Are there any other guiding principles you would suggest? ? Feel free to contact me off list if you like and thank you in advance for your help. ? Andrew H. Talkov Exhibition Coordinator for Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Virginia Historical Society 428 N. Boulevard P.O. Box 7311 Richmond, Virginia 23221-0311 Phone: 804-340-2276 Fax:? 804-342-9697 Email:? 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