By Emily Blackner
Elm Staff Writer
Many students are unaware that there is a graduate program here at Washington College. But the “invisible program” gives students the opportunity to further their education and gain valuable career experience.
WC’s grad program started in the spring of 1971, according to Assistant Dean Kathryn Sacks, the director of the program. “At the time, as far as I’m aware, the goal was to make masters-level courses available for adult communities on the upper Eastern Shore, because no programs existed at that time,” she said. “Salisbury and Delaware were the closest, and many people who sought it would be unable to get it without travelling.”
Currently, the degrees offered are Master of Arts in english, history, and psychology. WC’s program requires a total of 30 credit hours, which equates to 10 courses worth three credits each. The cost is around $1,125 a course, said Sacks, and this is “very inexpensive” in comparison to other institutions.
“Only about 3.7 percent of the students here are grad students,” Sacks continued. “We had 52 students in the fall when the data was frozen, and only two of them were full-time, meaning that they spent more than six hours in class, probably closer to nine.”
Responses to the program have been very positive, Sacks said. “We haven’t done a recent survey, but in the past there has been good feedback about courses and about professors,” she said. “I think there’s a lot more we can do that would make graduate students even happier. That would mean an increased investment in the way of a whole new program. We are currently looking at the future of the graduate program. Currently, it provides a need for someone to dabble, or for someone who needs teaching credits or for someone who doesn’t want to go far away. We do those things well; the question is, is that what we should be doing? Is now the time to do something different?”
The Provost recently received a report about the graduate program that will influence the answers to those questions. “There is a lot of discussion among the administration, myself, and the Board of Trustees about what the program should be,” Sacks continued. “We can expect a decision to be made in the not-to-distant future.”
Shane Brill, WC’s Web Editor and another student who took advantage of the graduate program, advocates expanding the program even further. “Establishing a doctoral program might underscore the rigor of a Washington College education, for undergraduate and graduate studies alike,” he said. “It seems logical to expand the variety of offerings as the institution continues to grow.”
Lit House Administrative Assistant Owen Bailey said that he had never considered attending a graduate program until his wife, then girlfriend, decided to pursue hers in the spring of 2007.
“When I thought about the idea I discovered that it very much appealed to me. My undergraduate degree was in American Studies, which I very much enjoyed since it covered a good range between American literature and American history. When I finished I was ready to look more into literature thinking that a master’s degree in English would help develop my reading and writing skills as well as introduce me to great pieces of literature that should be read in a classroom environment,” he said.
The economy was one reason that Bailey chose WC for his studies. “When I graduated with my undergraduate degree I was only working part time as the economy was beginning to fall apart in 2007,” he said. “Since the college was a few blocks from my house the commute was great. When the recession hit in 2008 I felt that my being a student was the best option. What better place to weather a depressed economy than pursuing a higher education?”
Brill loved the WC environment. “The professors are outstanding, and the spectrum of classmates ignites discussions with shades of wisdom drawn from diverse life experiences,” he said.
One factor that makes WC’s grad program stand out is the fact that many courses, especially in the English program, are taught by WC faculty.
“Large programs often have separate faculty for grad and undergrad programs,” Sacks said. “Here, the courses in the English department courses are taught almost entirely by our own faculty when they have a lighter load from undergraduate teaching. In psychology and history, there is a mixture of our faculty and adjunct faculty,” who are only paid to teach certain courses during certain semesters.
“In the classes I took I had the chance to meet a lot of great people,” Bailey said. “I learned that people who take Master’s classes are those who really want to be there, which makes the class experience a lot more fun. It was also a treat to be taught by professors who clearly have a passion for what they teach and can provide another level to the overall experience.”
Brill said, “The graduate program has enabled me to revisit familiar texts in radically different ways. It’s helped me to understand how all writers are propagandists, even if they are unconscious of the socioeconomic paradigms they reinforce. And it’s helped me to apply new dimensions of critical thought within my professional career.”
Many grad students also take advantage of the graduate assistant coaching program, which enables them to get professional experience while earning their degree, Sacks said.
Career preparation is often the goal for graduate students. “The Graduate Program for the English Master’s Degree has improved my writing, reading and research skills,” said Bailey. “At the time I was considering becoming either a teacher, working for a publisher, or going into any other profession that involves reading and writing. I feel that my education and experience has helped prepare me for my current job at the Rose O’Neill Literary House and for what ever career I pursue in the future.”
The program’s hours are convenient for working adults, which means members of the Chestertown community and neighboring ones can take advantage of the opportunity. “The graduate program offers the chance for not just recent undergrads but for many other people in the community and in the greater area to acquire a Master’s degree,” said Bailey.
“In all of my classes there were many teachers from both public and private schools that took the opportunity to take the night classes.”
Sacks noted, “The grad students contribute to the intellectual community at the college. The program provides professors with opportunities to teach at the graduate level, and to teach students with more focused interests.”
Brill said, “The WC grad program is a huge incentive to attract and retain employees who are passionate about learning. Staff who pursue graduate studies become even more invested in the academic community.”
Many grad students also take advantage of the graduate assistant coaching program, which enables them to get professional experience while earning their degree, Sacks said.
Career preparation is often the goal for graduate students. “The graduate program for the English Master’s degree has improved my writing, reading and research skills,” said Bailey. “At the time I was considering becoming either a teacher, working for a publisher, or going into any other profession that involves reading and writing. I feel that my education and experience has helped prepare me for my current job at the Rose O’Neill Literary House and for what ever career I pursue in the future.”
The program’s hours are convenient for working adults, which means members of the Chestertown community and neighboring ones can take advantage of the opportunity.
“The graduate program offers the chance for not just recent undergrads but for many other people in the community and in the greater area to acquire a Master’s degree,” said Bailey. “In all of my classes there were many teachers from both public and private schools that took the opportunity to take the night classes.”
Responses to the program have been very positive, Sacks said. “We haven’t done a recent survey, but in the past there has been good feedback about courses and about professors,” she said. “I think there’s a lot more we can do that would make graduate students even happier. That would mean an increased investment in the way of a whole new program. We are currently looking at the future of the graduate program. Currently, it provides a need for someone to dabble, or for someone who needs teaching credits or for someone who doesn’t want to go far away.” The Provost recently received a report about the graduate program that will influence the answers to those questions.
“There is a lot of discussion among the administration, myself, and the Board of Trustees about what the program should be,” Sacks said. “We can expect a decision to be made in the not-to-distant future.”
Brill advocates expanding the program even further. “Establishing a doctoral program might underscore the rigor of a Washington College education, for undergraduate and graduate studies alike,” he said. “It seems logical to expand the variety of offerings as the institution continues to grow.”
April 15, 2011
Volume LXXXI Issue 22