The M.Ed Degree...

So I have always been on the fast track plan. I graduated high school in 3.5 years. I graduated with my Bachelor's in 3 years (and a year earlier than people my age). I intended to finish my Master's in 5 semesters (a year and a half). I found out yesterday that may not happen. All because of this stinking economy! Let me explain:

I am getting my Master's in Early Childhood Education. My program does not include a thesis at the end like most Graduate programs do. Instead, once we finish all our course requirements we have to take our Comps (Comprehensive Exams). When we are ready to take our Comps, we are given four questions, we are to choose two and then write a 20 page research paper for the two questions. We have 6 weeks to write the two 20 page papers. Then the papers are submitted to three University professors. The papers are the determining factor as to whether we actually graduate and receive our degree. So if we fail the papers, we have to take them again. I am unsure how many times you can take the Comps. I am sure there is a limit.

My plan all along has been that I will finish all my required course work in May of 2009, and that I will take my Comps in the summer of 2009, in hopes of graduating and receiving my degree in August of 2009. Well that may not happen now.

So the issue now is that the state is cutting budgets at the University level, and that means less professors working. One of my professors told me that it looks like there will be no professors working next summer, and if there are no professors working, then no one can read and grade my Comps if I do them in the summer. It is looking like I will have to wait to take my Comps in fall of 2009 and then (hopefully) graduate in Decemeber of 2009.

What I am freaking out about is that I have been 3 classes each semester, as a brand new first year teacher! It has been extremely stressful, but I just keep telling myself "I will finish in August. I will finish in August!"" I really do not want to have to be taking these major major papers, probably the most important papers of my life, while I am teaching again next fall. As of right now, I do not like the teaching position I am currently in, and will be looking for another teaching position at another school in the area. Which means I will be starting over yet again next fall. I was also planning to possibly move out of Florida before school started next August. I was going to start looking out of state for a new home and a new teaching job. Well, right now my degree is what is keeping me here.

So needless to say, the darn economy and the darn budget cuts are causing me to major stress and frustration. I am really not sure I want to stay living in Florida. Florida politicians are idiots when it comes to budgeting money and now I am paying the price and it really stinks!

*sigh*