Programs Swinburne online astronomy degree

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The discussion centers on the Swinburne online astronomy master’s degree program and its respectability for PhD admissions in the US and abroad. Participants express concerns about the program's recognition, particularly for applicants with lower undergraduate grades seeking to improve their qualifications. While a master's degree is not a prerequisite for PhD programs in the US, the need for strong academic performance in a master's program is emphasized as a way to enhance chances of admission to a PhD program. The conversation also highlights the challenges of balancing a part-time degree with full-time employment, noting that while part-time students may be viewed positively in some regions, universities typically expect graduate students to be fully dedicated to their studies.
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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!
 
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In the US, a masters is not a prerequistite for the PhD.
 
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
 
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.
 
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!
 
mal4mac said:
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.
 
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