Not nursing related: hubby got thrown off his masters course!

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This is making me so mad!! It's so unfair!! My husband got accepted onto an internet Masters degree in computing, from a very well-known online university. He got his transcripts sent over from England, they looked at them, accepted him onto the course, sent him text books and arranged his student loan. We spent time and money re-organising our study and buying new desks so we could study together, then just 4 days into the course, he got a 'phone call saying that his English qualifications were not 'good enough' after all and they were throwing him off the course....

This is SO ridiculous - my husband may not have a Bachelors degree, but he's worked in the industry for years, has been head-hunted, has run his own successful business and is now CTO and CEO of an international software company. He is considered something of a computer 'genius' by his peers. The only reason he wants to get his Masters is because he wants to go into teaching IT. From what he saw of the other student's work that was posted on the course, he was way ahead of most of them, as he's been living and breathing this stuff for years. The only reason they've thrown him off this course is because of stupid red-tape, and him being British and not having the 'correct' paperwork - it has nothing to do with his ability to complete the degree.

Needless to say, hubby is upset - very upset, and so am I. His dreams have been dealt a huge blow, and I don't know what to say to him to cheer him up. He spent weeks getting accepted onto the course, and all his 'fight' now seems to have gone out of him and he's ready to just give up. He doesn't even want to talk about it. What can I do to encourage him to keep trying?

Paint.

Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Oncology.
This is making me so mad!! It's so unfair!! My husband got accepted onto an internet Masters degree in computing, from a very well-known online university. He got his transcripts sent over from England, they looked at them, accepted him onto the course, sent him text books and arranged his student loan. We spent time and money re-organising our study and buying new desks so we could study together, then just 4 days into the course, he got a 'phone call saying that his English qualifications were not 'good enough' after all and they were throwing him off the course....

This is SO ridiculous - my husband may not have a Bachelors degree, but he's worked in the industry for years, has been head-hunted, has run his own successful business and is now CTO and CEO of an international software company. He is considered something of a computer 'genius' by his peers. The only reason he wants to get his Masters is because he wants to go into teaching IT. From what he saw of the other student's work that was posted on the course, he was way ahead of most of them, as he's been living and breathing this stuff for years. The only reason they've thrown him off this course is because of stupid red-tape, and him being British and not having the 'correct' paperwork - it has nothing to do with his ability to complete the degree.

Needless to say, hubby is upset - very upset, and so am I. His dreams have been dealt a huge blow, and I don't know what to say to him to cheer him up. He spent weeks getting accepted onto the course, and all his 'fight' now seems to have gone out of him and he's ready to just give up. He doesn't even want to talk about it. What can I do to encourage him to keep trying?

Paint.

It's tough. My hubby just lost a job he just started. In the whole time I have known him, I had never known him to be that excited about a job before. Now it's like living with a zombie. I am trying to let him mope for a little bit, but I keep reminding him not to let it suck him in either. It can be paralyzing for anybody to have the rug pulled out from under them like that, but I think it is harder on our better halves. Men wrap up so much of their identity in their professions/careers. Just keep an eye on him and be supportive. He probably won't be easy to live with at times, but you will both get through this.

Sometime next week or so, find out what they would need from him in order for him to be in their program. Are there other classes he can take in the meantime there or somewhere else while he sorts through all of this red tape? The online university may also have an appeals process or waiting list that may be worth looking into. Hang tough and encourage the better half to do the same!

well, what do they want to make it right? What is lacking? Can he try another school's program? There are all sorts of things out there. He could call an advisor at the school to see what is required specifically. I hate that he is so discouraged, but I would not give up the fight.

Elizabeth - I'm so sorry that happened to your husband, losing a job is one of the worst things :( I hope things start to get better for you soon.

Well, hubby is at least talking about it now. He had a very apologetic phone call from a really nice guy at the college, explaining that they were bound by state law to only accept certain qualifications for this course, and they could get their licence revoked if they let anyone in without the correct paperwork. They also took full responisbility for the mix-up and told him that certain people would be disciplined about the whole mess. They have decided that dh's existing qualifications are equal to an Associates degree - but don't offer an Associates-Masters program. They have offered him the opportunity to do an accelerated Bachelors, and then do the Masters after that, so dh has some decisions to make. It looks like it's going to cost us twice as much though, and take twice as long. We've never been in debt in our lives (apart from our mortgage), and I don't know about you guys, but a $50,000 student loan sounds VERY scary to me, and way too expensive (especially as the whole point of this is so he can downsize from a very high-stress job into a lower-stress, but lesser paid one!). I know he could get cheaper tuition if he could find time to actually attend a college, but at the moment, with all his business travelling and quirky work hours, the more expensive internet option seems like the only option :( He is also somewhat unwilling to spend weeks searching round for cheaper options.

Anyway, he's giving this guy a call this morning to make a decision...

Paint.

Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

I'm not an attorney, but are you sure this is legal? Aren't acceptance papers legally binding unless there's proven misrepresentation? Or was the acceptance provisional? I don't think of myself as a litigious person, but I think in a case like this, I'd at least make sure my rights were protected.

At the very least, can he use their screw up to try to leverage a tuition discount? While he's doing that, just have your husband drop the word "attorney" now and then. He doesn't have to out and out threaten a suit, just say something like "I guess I'll have to consult with an attorney about my options, and check out this law you're talking about." kind of thing. That might help.

Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Oncology.
Elizabeth - I'm so sorry that happened to your husband, losing a job is one of the worst things :( I hope things start to get better for you soon.

Awww, thanks!

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