Masters in Equestrian Education - William Woods UPDATE #28

[Wonders12]

I’m looking at this online Masters Degree program through William Woods University. Does anyone have any experience with it?

Online Masters of Education (Med) in Equestrian Education

I like that it’s though an actual university with a good reputation. I also like that the final degree is a Masters in Education and the curriculum is applicable outside the barn.

I don’t like that it’s an online program (since I learn better in person), but since I have a job keeping me in one location, it may be my best option.

I do want to pursue my Masters Degree, so my other option is to do a more or less random program through the (big and well known) local University instead. The goal of this would be to have the degree since a Masters is becoming the new Bachelors, where you don’t really have to be job specific.

Thoughts?

[GoneAway]

Personally I don’t see how this is terribly useful outside of a job as a professor or staff member of an equine studies program. Given that degrees still aren’t widely valued in the horse world, I don’t know how appealing this would make you, or what your career goals even are. What is it that you want to do? I think your choice of Masters needs to be in line with what you’d like to do in the future, in order to offer the best return on investment. If you have dreams of working in a college equine program, or doing a lot of Pony Club or educating through another organization, this program might be useful…or completely useless.

And I’m saying this as someone with an Equine Business Management degree - the “equine” degree part definitely did not get me hired at my two professional horsey jobs (my skills and ability did), and I am fortunate to have chosen a business program that was useful enough outside the horse industry to get me hired/be successful in a completely non-horse related field.

[findeight]

I don’t get it. How can they improve your qualities as a real world Equine educator working only online?

I’d skip the Equine part and just get a masters in business admin or education if you want to stay online, that is far more likely to get you a decent job. Could go thru a better known college as well.

[red_mares]

If you have a big, local, well known university, why would you consider a William Woods equine degree? Do you have several thousand dollars just waiting to be wasted? If so, I would be happy to take them off your hands.

Seriously, the cost-benefit of an equine anything degree is dubious. Horse knowledge comes from working with horses; I have no idea how you work a horse or teach riding with a keyboard. I don’t see a school board rushing to hire you because you have a Master’s in Riding Lessons.

[AffirmedHope]

Get an MBA instead. And not from William Woods either.

[IronwoodFarm]

Or get a Masters Degree in Education. And not from William Woods; there are many better universities out there for the same price.

[ladyj79]

No. Ditto the MBA. And ditto go through a real university.

[Wonders12]

Thanks everyone. I’m still hoping to hear if anyone has any experience with this program.

I do work for a university equestrian program. I love it, and ideally I would like to continue this route. In order to move up (or even laterally) you are required to have a masters degree. They don’t necessarily care in what, but you need to be able to check that box.

Originally I was going to go the MBA route, but since I was not a business undergrad, I would have to go back and take prerequisites. (= time and money)

If I get a degree here, it would probably be in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. The coursework is not particularly interesting to me, but it’s the next most relevant thing.

The online class is significantly cheaper (approximately 1/3rd) the price of an in person program.

[Chief2]

Well, given the additional information you have provided, it might just work. I’d run it by someone higher up in the university equestrian program before sinking in the money.

[ladyj79]

There are online programs through many universities these days. I see your point about wanting to avoid a program that would require you to take pre-reqs. Is your undergraduate degree and academic degree or an equine degree?

[Texarkana]

[QUOTE=ladyj79;7702428]
No. Ditto the MBA. And ditto go through a real university.[/QUOTE]

Ok… graduate of an EXCELLENT private liberal arts college chiming in here…

I’d like you to explain to me why William Woods is not a “real university.”

While it may not be a big name school, it is indeed a legit and accredited university.

http://www.williamwoods.edu/about/index.asp

But you can put me in the category of folks who don’t see how working towards a Masters in Equestrian Education would be a beneficial use of anyone’s resources…

[ladyj79]

Graduate of a top tier liberal arts college and college professor chiming in here, I apologize for not being familiar with William Woods University. And as the graduate of a seven sister school, I especially apologize for not recognizing a former women’s college.

That said, I would still avoid any online equestrian degree and try to find something that will add to your versatility.

[Texarkana]

Sorry for sounding snarky ladyj79! I go on the defensive if I sense someone is knocking the quality of education at private women’s colleges.

[ladyj79]

Tex, we all know women’s colleges are the best. You were right to beat me with that wet noodle. (We will both now be mightily judged by people who…just don’t understand how awesome we are haha).

ETA I get giddy when I meet other women’s college alums. Like it makes me way too happy. Like the “annoying dressage co-worker” thread too happy)

[Equibrit]

What are “field pedagogy skills” and how do you attain them online ?

[Kadenz]

Just chiming in here to say that yes, William Woods U. is a “real” school. It’s not a Meredith Manor type of place. I know several people who have gone there over the past ten years or so; not all were equine majors, one was actually a business major who went on to get an MBA.

[Wonders12]

Thank you for the links/information on William Woods. I should have made my post clearer. By “I like that it’s through an actual university” I meant that William Woods is not a Meredith Manor type school. They have other programs (mostly traditional/in person classes) that they run. This program just happens to be online.

I have also met several people who work there who had good things to say and were working on some really interesting topics (mainly regarding sports medicine).

To those saying “Get a Masters in Education”, this IS a MEd. That’s one of my other points that I like about it. If all goes to hell with the horse plan, I can always put “Master of Education from William Woods” on a resume and leave it at that. Most MEd programs have a specialty, or tract. Sometimes they are policy or administration or curriculum. This one happens to be Equestrian Education.

Do you feel that having a MEd in, say, policy analysis, looks better than Equestrian Education? If so, then that is an important fact for me to consider.

My BA was not in anything equine related.

[Wonders12]

To add: I don’t expect to be able to work with horses better from this degree. I am currently employed in the equine industry. I am actively building my skills, knowledge, and resume.

However, in the world of higher education, you have to have that piece of paper too. Some HR guy who has never sat on a horse won’t take “Well, I’m a master at the barn!” as an acceptable replacement for a proper degree.

I’m not saying it’s right, but it is how the system seems to work.

[Texarkana]

Wonders12: have you requested more information from them? Have you confirmed it’s an MEd and not an MA in “Equestrian Education”?

I’m only asking because the wording on their website is so vague…

[independentlyawesome]

How do the prices compare?

I think the program looks decent, but I wouldn’t pay a premium for going there instead of your local U.