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Other
questions? Email Dr.Hayhoe.
To aid you in your decision and application processes, we have provided answers to commonly asked questions regarding finances and classes. Please contact the department if the provided responses fail to adequately answer your questions.
Finances
Classes
Academic Appeals
FINANCES
Are there any special scholarships or assistance programs
for veterans or children of deceased or disabled
veterans?
Special scholarships are not offered for particular groups; however,
all MSTCO students are eligible to apply for the David
C. Leonard Scholarship.
What method of payment is acceptable?
You may pay by check, MasterCard,American Express, Discover, cash, or
company reimbursement.
Are
any tuition rate discounts applicable?
No.
What
sources of financial aid are available?
Graduate students are eligible to apply for the David
C. Leonard Scholarship. Other financial
aid sources are not available at this time as the MSTCO program is
designed as a part-time degree program
for working
adults. However,
we do offer a deferred payment plan to students
who are reimbursed by their employers. With
this plan
you defer
payment until
the end of the
semester. For
more information, contact George Hayhoe.
How
much does the program cost per credit/per course?
As of Spring 2012, tuition is
$785.00 per credit hour. Other fees may
be assessed
by the
University.
What
is the difference in cost per credit/per course, if any, between the
regular terms
(fall and spring)
and the
summer
term?
Generally, no difference exists since
rates are based on credit hours. Tuition
rate
increases, if any,
take effect
during Summer
terms.
CLASSES
How large are the classes?
TCO classes usually range from 12 to
20 students per course.
Do I have to complete a master's
thesis?
Students take TCO 685, Project
Research, in lieu of preparing
a thesis. This
collaborative, real-world
project serves
as the capstone
for
the MSTCO program and draws
on all the student's knowledge
and skills. For students who
intend to enter a doctoral
program and
would prefer
a thesis,
consult with Dr. Grady or Dr.
Hayhoe.
How
many times a week do the classes meet?
WebEx-based voice and video chats
are scheduled one day per
week (the time of day is adjusted
to meet work schedules and
time zones).
You
will need to work on classwork
several times
each
week; some of this
time may be
on your own,
but
other times
will be
with
student teams.
How many weeks are in a term?
Fall and Spring semester
terms are 15 weeks, with
a 16th week
for exams
(final
class
deliverables due). Summer
terms are
10 weeks.
How
many terms in a year?
Mercer is on a semester
system and offers a Fall,
Spring,
and Summer
term each
year. The
Summer
term for TCO
is currently very limited;
TCO 685 and a TCO 691 special topics elective are currently offered alternate summers. Discuss
your plans for scheduling
this course with Dr.
Hayhoe.
How
many hours per session?
Synchronous whole-class
meetings or small-team
meetings vary
by subject and task.
Classes currently earn
3 semester hours
credit.
What
time do classes start?
Synchronous class
meetings are set
in the evenings
at a time
when students
can be
available. For
example, chat
sessions
with students
spanning
the globe from Tokyo
to Vermont usually
convene at 8:00 pm
Eastern Time.
How
many classes can I take?
One or two per
session. Most students
are
working full
time, and many
have families,
so we advise careful
consideration
of your
workload
and time availability.
Students new to
the
program probably
should begin
with one course.
Please refer to
the listing
of courses available over the next two years.
Are there any breaks
between the fall
and spring semesters?
Yes, a break generally
occurs from the
second week in
December
to
the first
week in January.
Additionally,
a brief Fall Break
and a week-long Spring
Break
are typically scheduled. You can check
the academic calendar.
Must I come
to campus in Macon or Atlanta?
No. We do invite you to schedule a campus visit if you can. Additionally,
we encourage you to come for graduation if possible.
How
many students who enroll in the MSTCO program via distance learning
actually complete the program?
Thus far, our retention rate is about 90%. This is an approximate percentage,
since students may discontinue classes for a term or two before re-enrolling.
We try to determine during the Admissions process that you have the qualifications
as well as the motivation to succeed.
Do
many students fail?
A few have decided to drop out because they did not have the time needed to
devote to the program, or it was not a good match with their experience and
background. We work with students to develop a realistic course completion
plan, and we provide regular feedback and advice. As a result, very few students
fail to make satisfactory progress.
GRIEVANCES
What is the procedure for bringing an academic appeal?
The academic appeals procedure for graduate programs in the Mercer University School of Engineering can be downloaded here.
What is the procedure for resolving other types of grievances?
For all other grievance procedures, please refer to the Mercer University Student Handbook.
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2005-2010 Mercer University MSTCO Program |
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