Are you thinking of applying for their Distance Learning program? If you are you should definitely contact either Kathy Ashley or Selina Thraves. They are the Archaeology and Ancient History Distance Learning administrators and are extremely friendly, and helpful. If you send them an e-mail in the morning they will usually respond by that afternoon if not sooner. 

arch-anchist@le.ac.uk

Thanks. Actually I was accepted into the program over a year ago, and do remember corresponding with Selina.  However, as I was finalizing the funding, I had the rug pulled out from under me when I discovered at the last minute the VA would no longer pay for 'foreign correspondence programs'.  I did look for other options for a distance learning grad program but found that there didn't seem to be much offered within the U.S. other than some craft-your-own-degree type of programs I wasn't impressed with.  I know the ideal would be attending a traditional brick and mortar school, but I seem to be limited in my options right now, and the Univ of Leicester would have been perfect.

Jennifer

You may be interested to know that the tuition is made in installments. You also do not have to take the modules straight through. There are several students I know, including myself, who have taken 1 or 2 intakes(semesters) off for various reasons, including not having the money and personal reasons. The school is very accommodating since they know the majority of their Distance Learning students are adults (usually over 30) with full-time careers and families. 

So you could just do one module then take a break, then take the next one etc. 

The installments are, right now due to the lower exchange rate, at around 1100 pounds = $1600-1700. This is made once every three months.

Just a thought! 

Thanks - good info to know!  I'm still weighing my options as far as financing goes, but I don't want to wait too long to go back to school.  I've already taken off a few years from work to be a stay at home mom.  At least through this website, other places on the net and some good old reading, I feel like I haven't completely lost touch with what's been going on in the world of archaeology during this time.

Jennifer

It's not at this school but I'm currently using the Post-911 GI BIll for online coursework (large state school in the midwest).

From the time I filled out the VONAPP application, it took about 8 weeks for the money to be disbursed to my school.  The book stipend took about 6 weeks to process (it went straight into my checking account).  The VA office at the school was able to fill out my enrollment verification before VONAPP processed, which I think sped up the whole process.

It all worked out very well, especially since I already used my regular GI Bill benefits a long time ago.  I'm very appreciative of this program, as it's going to pay for the bulk of my second master's degree.

I appreciate the info. In my dealings with a foreign university, I have to admit it's been a little trickier to navigate as they don't have a VA rep like most schools do state-side. I'm still trying to figure a way to make this happen. I may end up actually paying for the program out-of-pocket in the future and saving the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for a later time (it's really nice how you can transfer the benefits to a spouse or a child!). 

I was also in the same situation when it came to possibly saving my Post 9/11 GI Bill for my spouse.  My gut feeling is the program is a little too generous from Uncle Sam (when compared against the old GI Bill and Army College Fund) and the program will probably go away over the next few years.  But you never know :-)

It's a real shame if they wont let you use it for your program.

The GI Bill has a fairly decent living stipend (I think it's based off of either E5 or E6 BAQ); have you considered going back to school full time at a local university?

KB, I wish there was a school close to home.  The distance learning option was attractive also because I have a toddler at home to contend with, and another little one on the way who should be joining us any day now. :)

I submitted an inquiry several days ago about the Univ of Leicester program with the VA but haven't heard anything back yet.  However, I did find this snippet on their website under a section on foreign universities:

RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN TRAINING

IMPORTANT: Independent or distance learning is not approved for GI Bill payment at foreign schools unless it is accredited by a U.S. accrediting body.

The law provides that VA beneficiaries may not pursue programs of education at schools outside of the United States unless they are pursuing approved programs leading to a standard college degree, or the equivalent, at approved institutions of higher learning. The only exception is for persons eligible for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) who may receive VA benefits while pursuing approved postsecondary non-college degree programs at training establishments in the Philippines.

The term “institution of higher learning” means a college or university offering programs of instruction leading to an associate degree or higher, or its equivalent. The programs must be recognized as being comparable to a degree granted by accredited U. S. colleges and universities. VA will accept degrees granted by public colleges and universities in foreign countries as being comparable to degrees granted by accredited U. S. colleges and universities. Degrees, or their equivalent, granted by private colleges and universities in foreign countries must be comparable to degrees granted by public colleges and universities in the same country. Degree or equivalent programs must have the same entrance requirements as the degree programs offered by public colleges and universities in the same country.

Jennifer,

you may be interested to know that Leicester Distance Learning is an equivalent to a U.S school and it is the only program recognized by the RPA and the SOI. That is the main reason I decided to pursue my Master through them. There is another British school which has a Distance Learning program but is not recognized here in the U.S. Also I know of several British University Master Degrees (actual attended schools) which are not recognized by the RPA and I believe SOI.

So you may be able to pursue that line.

Thanks. I've been trying to find some documentation online that the program has been accredited by a national or regional U.S. Dept of Education-approved accrediting body, but so far haven't found it.  That seems to be the criteria that the VA is looking for.

I got my MA from Leicester in 2003, and got hired by the Forest Service in seasonal, term, and finally permanent jobs. There was never any question raised re: the equivilency of the degree to a US one. Indeed, I know several others in government with Leicester MAs. However, I have recently noticed that some agencies are now requiring you to certify the equivilency - pain in the neck that costs about $150 and takes ??? time. I sent an inquiry to Leicester, and hope to get some official input soon. When I do, I will be sure to post it, as I know there are lots of us who are grads or in the program.

Re: paying for it, I too, paid in installments and had to take time off, but as was pointed out, they were very accomodating. The great thing about the distance learning program is that you can keep working and not go thousands (more) into debt.

I would be interested in finding out that info.  In the meantime, I'm still waiting to hear back from the VA. :p

I heard back from Leicester, regarding the equivilency certification. Here is part of the reply: "This has never been a particular problem in the past (I can remember one or two instances in six years), and I think that what has happened is that the US has changed its regulations (in the same way that a few years ago they ceased to offer Federal loans or grants to distance learning students studying with institutions outside the US). Looking at the Dept of Education website I see that one can't even search for accredited institutions from any country in Europe, but only within the US and a few other places (e.g. Federation of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands). Leicester used to have an institution code, but even that is not there anymore. From our point of view it is simply too onerous and expensive to become fully accredited. This is because it used to be the case at least that for full accreditation we were required to fund a panel of three members on a visit here for several days, plus a large fee, plus supply details of university finances as well as our own, and to do this on a repeated basis for each program offered (not just once for the University or even department). It may however have changed, and we can ask the University for advice again. But last time we looked it would have costs us tens of thousands of dollars per year for each program.

I'm sorry about this: it's a total pain, but unfortunately the problem in this instance is, I think, more to do with US protectionism rather than us. And we happily accept certificates from the US – we just check whether they are genuine and from proper colleges. However, that's no comfort to you."

So, it looks like all of these problems are the result of our government, probably at the behest of American universities feeling pressed by competition. This sucks, Big Time, but is not surprising. I need to persure this further, and will post what I learn...

I appreciate the info.  I'm still wrangling with the VA here, and will also update this thread when I hear their latest answer.  I still may also end up having to fund this out of pocket as well. 

On a related note, I am surprised that there haven't been any distance learning archaeology/CRM MA programs popping up in the U.S.  Has anyone heard if one is in development?  It would seem that such a program would be quite popular, especially amongst some of the field archaeology crowd who live a nomadic lifestyle and would have trouble attending a brick and mortar school otherwise.

I completely agree regarding how popular a distance learning program in archaeology or CRM would be.  I'm not aware of any but I have know a few people over the years who got MAs in liberal arts and designed their own programs, which focused heavily in archaeology.

I believe there are a couple of distance learning architectural history programs out there.

The program from Goucher College in MD for Historic Preservation comes to mind.  I believe it is all distance learning except for an initial 2 week period you spend at the school the first summer.

You should check Savannah College of Art and Design.  They have a distance MA in Historic Preservation.  I went there via DL.  My experience was a good one.  I had one instructor that was pretty much non-existent for a course, but all of us students complained, and my understanding is that instructor is no longer there.  It helped it was a basic course so the material was not new.  I have heard that most students have a good experience there.  I still correspond with my thesis adviser  from time to time and have considered at some point relocating to Savannah to pursue the MFA.  I think if you have experience, which you do, and are disciplined (and only you know) then a distance program is a good one.  In general, I think newbies or those without self-discipline are doing themselves a disservice by going the distance learning route.  I found the program to be challenging, fairly fast paced, and I had to stay on top of assignments.  There is alot of research based course work as well as infield projects so the experience is well rounded.  The instructors were prompt and available any time I wanted to discuss something and I like that.  SCAD is a private school, so the costs are a little higher, but financial aid is avail., and it is regionally accredited, so the GI Bill will work there.  It took me 3 1/2 years to complete my MA, but I took a year off to have my son.  He is four now, but the point I am getting too, is I do not lack for work (knock on wood), I consult from home on my own schedule, and I believe getting my MA opened an entire world of opportunity as I can do both archaeology and historic building, structure, object oriented projects.  Lastly, the latter is becoming a bigger player in CRM and I find a large majority of my work trending that way.  There are not that many of us in the historic preservation profession so that helps as well, as the job market is bit less flooded, and the pay, for whatever reason, is better.  Check it out.