some of this was previously posted in the Cafe, (but hey, you can never have enough exposure, neh?)
I am (or rather plan to be) a returning grad student this winter after an absence of 17 years working in a field totally unrelated to my prior education. (sound familiar?) My eventual goal is to pursue doctoral work in ‘comparative epistemology’ : looking at the epistemology of revelation (religious epistemology) and the epistemology of the sciences (natural, life, and social) as well as the skeptical challenge of science to truth and knowledge claims of theology with a focus on ‘consciousness studies’ (i.e. soul, natural origins of human consciousness, personality, and the seat of personality) as a flash-point in the creation-evolution, mind-body/mind-brain, faith-reason, science-theology oppositions.
I know, grandiose, long and drawn out introduction.
My educational background includes a B.A. in History (and membership in Phi Alpha Theta) from a 4-year private liberal arts college in Georgia (Berry College) and a M.S. in Library Studies from FSU.
I plan to begin with two distance learning/online degrees from American Public University, a M.A. Humanities, and a M.A. History (Ancient and Classical), to reacquaint myself with the rigors of academic life before reverting to a B.S in Biology and/or Psychology (on campus at local state university), then to proceed to a M.S. in a related field (possibly cell biology, neurobiology, neuro-psychology, neurophilosophy). I also plan to work on a distance learning M.A. in Philosophy, and a M.A. Theology from a separate (private, Catholic college -all the above programs requiring completion of a Masters’ thesis. This program (or these programs) of study allow me to combine my many intellectual, academic and research interests that have stayed with me over the years.
I plan to cash-flow these programs, and rely on distance-learning online programs because of the constraints of my work schedule, so I’m fully cognizant of the length of time it will take me. (Yes, I realize at some point I’ll need to re-take the GRE)
What I’m really looking for, at this time, is feedback on my initial choice of school, American Public University, an online school system (that also includes American Military University -but I am not military). Having checked it out over a number of months, I am about ready to place my application. It provides proof of accreditation by, and membership in, the Higher Learning Commission of of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The one thing that their phone rep was not able to answer (either because APU doesn’t track that information, or doesn’t give it to phone-reps) were stats on percentage of students who are accepted into doctoral programs after completing degree work with them,. I guess I’m looking for reasons not to apply there, if not reasons to completely readjust my expectations and intended course(s) of study.
Thanks for your time, effort, and attention.