aqua fortis

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Overachievers

So, Rob and I have both decided we're going to apply for another master's program, because we're both overachievers like that. The one we're looking at is the HUX Humanities distance education program at CSU Dominguez Hills. It's a job security thing, too. With an emphasis in the art area, Rob will be qualified to also teach art history-related humanities classes--a useful competency to have, just in case the cuts to the California community college system get REALLY bad and there aren't as many art classes available. It makes him more useful.

As for me, it also makes it possible for me to teach basic art classes at the CC level, should that ever become necessary. And it might. Right now, with a BA in Art and one additional year of graduate study (a Post-Baccalaureate certificate), I'm just slightly underqualified. I do have an MFA--but it's not in art. In less lean times, that would probably be enough for me to teach part-time--basic drawing, for instance. These days--not so much. But with the Humanities MA and an emphasis in art, I would be a much more qualified candidate.

Not only that, it just looks like a damn cool program. I mean, the likelihood of me teaching ANY class is low, unless there seems to be no other option for work. But I'd be jealous of Rob, just watching him do it. There's a class on Frank Lloyd Wright, for cripes sake. A class on female coming-of-age in world literature. (Yeah, obviously I'd be taking a few lit classes, too...) AND, you have the option of doing a creative thesis rather than an academic one.

So we've got all our transcripts ordered, and we'll be working on our essays soon and filling in our applications. I'm looking forward to it. I like learning stuff, and school is one of the things I can equivocally say I'm very good at. Not exactly a marketable skill, though, since nobody's going to pay me to do it. It's one of those things that, as a child or teenager, makes you a high achiever with great potential and possibly even a prodigy/genius type, depending on your level of success. As an adult, nobody cares if you're good at school. (Sad, but true.) Still, it's going to be a lot of fun.

Plus, as Rob pointed out, we're actually applying to a program where GRADES MATTER--very refreshing, after going through the whole art school/MFA program thing where the only thing that really matters is whether or not they see potential in your creative work.

8 comments:

tanita✿davis said...

Oh, huh. I always forget you don't have a bachelor's in English like the rest of us liberal arts wonks. I sometimes wonder if I shouldn't go back and get another degree as well - another Master's; it certainly isn't going to be a PhD for a bit - but only because I'm a dork and enjoy being in classes. I actually find the rest of my brain works better when I'm challenged with the analytical part working full bore.

Good luck, to the both of you overachievers!

Sarah Stevenson said...

Thanks! :) I figured it would make sense to someone besides us.

I've thought about the PhD thing, but there isn't really any compelling reason to do that other than the dubious cool factor of being called "Dr."...

David T. Macknet said...

Doing the PhD means that you'll never again have to go get a degree. EVER. Thank God!

Sarah Stevenson said...

True. My dad would finally leave me alone about that! :D

The problem is, the PhD's in creative fields tend to focus heavily on pedagogy...and there, again, is that teaching thing I have little or no interest in...

David T. Macknet said...

Yet, you're going for a degree which would allow you to teach. OK.

Pedagogy isn't theory isn't research. The PhD ought to be about research. So, if you want to do research, well, there's your degree. If you don't, well, have a Master's.

Sarah Stevenson said...

Research is OK...but really, I just like learning stuff. :)

Sophia Chang said...

Luuuucky! I dropped out of 2 masters programs. Yup, overachiever even in failure.

I would love to go back to school (again).

Surfed over from Mitali's recommendation of your awesome book. Must add to my TBR list!

Sarah Stevenson said...

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Sophia!

Sometimes I think I'd love to be a permanent student, if someone would only pay for all of my tuition and living expenses. :D