Masters in Equestrian Education - William Woods UPDATE #28

OP it’s a brand new program, just introduced. So you’re not going to find anyone with experience with it. The press memo I read led me to understand the program is aimed at people who are looking to get a faculty position at a university equestrian program (or perhaps a private high school).

William Woods is indeed a quality and recognized school. They have many non-equestrian programs.

And if it helps your decision, WWU has had an online or at least partially online MBA and MEd for at least a couple of years. They promoted it heavily in our area which is about 100 miles or so from Fulton. I don’t know that I personally know anyone who has a Masters from them but I do know successful woman in business with Bachelors degrees from this institution.
I mainly posted this so that you would know that online degrees are something that this University has been offering for some time so while this may be a new degree, online degrees from them are not.

Thanks Renae. As I researched last night, I saw that. Maybe I’ll have to be a guinea pig and report back.

The price is about 1/3rd of the cost of what it would be at local university.

They did send me more information and it was more clear that it’s a MEd. I’ll talk to someone next week and find out more.

I’m still very torn, but it is an interesting option.

Wow, I am shocked that this degree would be so inexpensive, compared to your local options (“The price is about 1/3rd of the cost of what it would be at local university”). Are you comparing the on-line version? I ask this, since I know some of the universities have on-line versions of their degrees which do cost less than the on-campus versions. Arizona State University is one of these.
Any way it comes out, that’s a whooping deal if you are trying to fill a gap and need to have a master’s degree. At a third of the cost of the lowest price local option, I’d be signing up!

I did an interview with the head of the Equine department from WW for an equine education article I was working on a few years back. Nice person. It is not a fly by night school. I would click on the Get More Information button, and if I liked what I saw, then I would sign up.

Online ed is getting more credibility as time goes on. If it is offered by a good brick and mortar accredited school it is probably fine. A friend of mine received her PhD in education from a good accredited brick and mortar university this way, and subsequently was given the job promotion she was looking to get within the school system she taught for. With a family and a demanding job, it was the only way she could get this done. The program required two class meet-ups a year on the campus grounds. The remainder was all conducted online. She worked her butt off to get that diploma.

I’ve been taking courses online from good accredited universities for a long time. It is no walk in the park, but it is easier than budgeting time to drive to the place, get to class, take the class, drive home, etc. With the good internet resources there are nowadays, you should be able to research everything right from home. You may have to get text books, but those can be rented from online sources. Check some of the college threads here for resources. Also, check to make sure your computer has the capabilities you need to participate in the class. That should be listed in the information. I hope you do it! Good luck!

1/3 the cost??

What are you still waiting for? That’s perfect. They have a great undergrad there; I don’t know about the grad program but the college is respected in general. I’ve heard the same thing from teachers - that you just need a M.Ed. behind your name & no one really cares the focus. So do what you’re interested in.

Just want to chime in that I used to work at WWU, as the PR director. It is truly a fine school. I worked there a LONG time ago, it was my first job out of college (circa 1978).

Additionally, I hired a WWU graduate 3 years ago. Her degree is in equine business administration, she is now on the fast track to becoming our COO.

I will temper that glowing recommendation somewhat, though. My WWU graduate is excellent, but I realized I can no longer tell people the “equine” part of her business degree because too many people are … stupid. I have heard a couple of people say, “What? She has some horse degree?”

So, I just say she has a business degree whenever I introduce her.

Honestly, it’s a good school with high standards.

UPDATE: Only available in some states

I talked to the enrollment counselor today and they are not approved in Wisconsin. :cry:

I’m pretty disappointed because I was ready to enroll. Now it’s back to looking at other programs…