Swinburne online astronomy degree

[planethunter]

Hello everyone. I want to know if anybody has heard good things about the Swinburne online astronomy master’s degree program. Is this a respectable program for PhD entrance committees here in the US or abroad? Due to my schedule, an online master’s degree program in astronomy would really work out for me. I am hesitant though because I want to continue to the PhD and want to make sure that this program at Swinburne is a respectable one.

Here is the website for the program: http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/sao/

Thanks!

 

[Vanadium 50]

In the US, a masters is not a prerequistite for the PhD.

 

[planethunter]

Agreed. But my grades are not good enough to get into a PhD program (plus my ug degree is in math), so I want to do well in a masters program to increase my chances of getting in a phd program

 

[Vanadium 50]

I see. You weren't serious enough to get good grades in the first place, and you aren't serious enough to devote the effort into getting a MS by going full-time. But you expect a school to offer you a place in a PhD program.

I think you are going to have a very, very difficult time.

 

[mal4mac]

Getting a part-time degree while holding down a full-time job seems pretty impressive to me. The UK tends to look benignly on part-time students, maybe because the the Open University is held in high regard. So look out for Commonwealth scholarships!

 

[Vanadium 50]

Getting a part-time degree while holding down a full-time job seems pretty impressive to me.

Yes, but universities expect their graduate students to be holding down a full-time job - working for them.