It's been quite a while since I've posted anything, mainly due to a lack of time, interest, or motivation (always a winning combination). I was fortunate enough to be accepted into a Masters program this summer at the last minute and was able to start classes in September. Thus far, I give it a thumbs up, but with some reservations. I was initially thrilled with the program - still riding the buzz of getting in, excited by the prospect of learning so many new things and challenging my peers on their ideas and assumptions - I was in my glory. As time has gone on, I've been able to take off the rose-tinted glasses and notice some of the contradictions and fallacies within the program.
The first thing that made me scratch my head was a meeting with my academic advisor to figure out my class schedule for the year. Because I've been in post-secondary for 5 years and on loans for the entirety of my studies, it made the most sense to continue as a full-time student so I could continue to get loans and finish the program in a timely manner. Normally, one would expect support in this endeavor, but I was met with apprehension and opposition. I had to get special permission to take even the required courses for the program, and was told that 'this is not the way most people do it'. Sorry to inform you, but I'm not most people. I'm not a mature student, with kids and a full time job. I'm 24, with some part-time gigs on campus. I don't even have a cat. My plan was to get my coursework and practicum finished this year, and take next year to focus solely on my thesis. Makes sense. Again, opposition followed. 'No one has finished the program in two years. That's unrealistic'. Seriously!? Either the students that have gone through this program are sub-par graduate students, or no one has done this with the intention to finish in a reasonable amount of time. I can't imagine spending 4 years on a Masters program (with the exception of those that take a course a semester). The practicum was the most recent site of contention, as we are not allowed to participate in any research for it (that involves human subjects/ethics). Fine. But when an incredible opportunity is presented to a student that is not only in line with the program's purported values and principles, but also in line with the student's future career aspirations, one would think the department would support that. Especially when the department is Adult Education, who claims to be be supportive or students and accommodating of their needs. I call bullshit.
There appears to be a serious disconnect between the department's stated and lived values and practices. I didn't expect to meet such opposition and rigidity in my graduate studies, especially in such a program. Sigh. I shouldn't complain too much though; all in all, it was still the right decision. I love being at the Mount, and I've met some fantastic and fascinating people through this program. I've already learned more than I did in a semester of undergraduate courses, so I suppose it isn't all bad.
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