Conference 7.286::digital

There is a programme called GEEP which may be what you're after.

I don't have any details on it, but I do know it's available 
outside the US as we have it here in the UK. Not sure if it's
available in China though!

	Craig.

	... when Don Busiek opened it up to ALL SWS folks.  I think the acronym
stood for:

			Graduate Engineering Education Program.

	It was originally open only to engineer-coded jobs, to promote more
Masters and PhD where need existed.

    I got a lot of information about GEEP a couple of years ago. The deal
    is that if you're a technical person (they told me it wasn't
    necessarily limited to the exact job title of "Engineer") pursuing a
    computer-related Masters or a PhD at an approved school, then you could
    get up to 2 years (I think) off when finishing the Masters
    coursework/thesis or for doing your doctoral dissertation.
    
    There were a bunch of schools on the "approved list", with the
    University of Cincinnati being one of them (not that you'd be coming
    here to do your PhD). While you were "off" you'd still receive full
    salary and benefits.
    
    I still have the information; the only thing I don't know is whether
    or not the program is still available. (In a couple of years when
    I go for my PhD I'll be more interested!)

	BD�

    It's definitely still available, at least in the US: the person in the
    office across from mine is plowing through the paperwork to enter the
    GEEP program next fall to get his master's degree (and we will really
    miss you, Chris!).  I don't know the details of the program, but I am
    sure your personnel person can get them for you (if available where you
    are!  I am in HLO, Hudson, MA).  From what I do know of it, it sounds
    like a great deal - I did my master's degree one course at a time at
    night school, and that took several years, and kept me extremely busy a
    lot of the time.  Of course, DEC did reimburse me for each course, but
    only after I completed it with a good grade - and you definitely cannot
    plan on having much of a social life, or even having much time with
    your family, while you pursue a degree at night, especially if you try
    to take more than one course a semester.
    
    /Charlotte

    It's a very good program, particularly for people working on their
    Master's  degrees.  (2  years  isn't long enough for the PhD.) You
    must  have  been  with Digital for two years as of the application
    date (4 years if you are working for a PhD). I don't think you can
    apply  for  September,  1990  if you start now, as the application
    process is fairly involved. The program aims to give you 18 months
    to finish your degree, and has a little flexibility in that limit.

    For more information, send mail to HEIDI::GEEP for an application.
    There's a notesfile at HUBIE::GEEP which discusses it further.

    All of  this  information is what we were told in the U.S. I don't
    know if the rules are different in other countries.

--David

    Thanks very much everybody. GEEP was exactly what I was looking for 
    (I couldn't remember the acronym).  I'll chase it from here (and hope
    it applies to the Far East...)
    
    Ken B.
    

	In Japan it is not available.
	DEC Japan won't even re-hire me if I was to quit
	and go for a masters.

	This is what I was told when I was being interviewed for 
	my job.

	One company, many cultures & policies.

	Tim Aihara

    re .7
    
    I know of a similar case in Singapore's mfg plant (ZGO).

    This is probably a stupid question considering the Digital culture, but
    I'll ask it anyway...
    
    Is there any equivalent of GEEP for graduate BUSINESS education (i.e.
    MBA, MS Management, etc.) with full-time, maintain-your-salary, status? 
    I'm not aware of any, and as far as I can tell, GEEP only pertains to
    computer science or engineering.
    
    Just curious, more than anything.

    Re: the MBA degree
    
    I taught at New York University's Stern School of Business in the MBA
    program in the Information Systems department.  Most MBA's have a
    concentration in manufacturing, management, finance, marketing,
    information systems, etc.
    
    I know nothing about the GEEP program's rules on this however.

    I knew someone who wanted to do a MBA over here.
    He had to leave the company to pursue the course.
    There was no DEC scheme to accomadate him.

                 <<< HUBIE::HUB6:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GEEP.NOTE;1 >>>
                  -< Graduate Engineering Education Program >-
================================================================================
Note 3.1                            Guidebook                             1 of 1
HUBIE::GEEP "GEEP Moderator"                        685 lines   6-OCT-1989 13:25
                                 -< Guidebook >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    G E E P    G U I D E B O O K
    ------------------------------------------------------------     
    Introduction 
    -------------------------------------------------------------
    This Guidebook has been prepared to help engineers who wish 
    to return to the academic world to pursue technical graduate 
    degrees by taking advantage of the GEEP opportunity. 
    
    The GEEP has been developed for engineers within Digital who 
    have made or have promise of making a significant 
    contribution to the company, and who want to continue their 
    technical education, to be sponsored in such pursuit.
    
    If you are accepted into the Graduate Engineering Education 
    Program for a graduate degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or 
    Industrial Engineering; Computer Science; or Computer or 
    Software Engineering, you will receive full salary, fringe 
    benefits, tuition, books, fees, and relocation costs--if 
    applicable, while you are studying at the university.
    
    ...

CC:	
Subj:	Graduate Engineering Education Program (GEEP)

I have had some inquiries regarding the Graduate Engineering
Education Program (GEEP).

This program provides the opportunity for engineers to pursue
technical graduate degrees in engineering and computer science at
universities on a full-time basis.

Those engineers who apply and are accepted into the GEEP program,
receive full salary and fringe benefits, tuition, books and fees,
and the cost of relocation while they are studying at their
respective universities.

The application deadline for the 1990-91 academic year is
15 February 1990.  It's not too soon to get the information
you need to apply.

Lee Peterson is the program consultant to the Graduate Engineer
Education Program.  If you are applying to the Master's
Program, it is important that you contact Lee Peterson at
DTN: 223-6366, HEIDI::PETERSON.

If you have been thinking about continuing your technical
education at the graduate level, or if you have an
employee who is/should be thinking about a full-time
university program, plan to attend a GEEP seminar to
learn about:

     how to apply
     the selection process
     appropriate university programs
     program history and current status

For more information on GEEP:
At the mail prompt type notes.
It will ask if this is a new account.
Follow directions for new account.
Add entry and add HUBIE::GEEP
You will come into directory of notebook class main.
This will give you table of contents.
New screen will list what is in your account.
Choose entry name by moving the arrows.
Entry name would be GEEP
Type OPEN
Type DIR for list of topics
Then you can print files you wish
Type CLOSE to get out.

Hope this info will help all who are interested.


    

    FYI - Technical writers can now participate in GEEP to get the same
    degrees in engineering or a technical communication/writing degree.
    
    Joan G.
    

GEEP is a fabulous opportunity and program. Every fall, Lee Peterson from the 
GEEP office gives presentations at various sites - I know that she gives them
in the greater maynard area and has also given them in Colorado,CXO... Many of
these presentations are video-taped and can be obtained through the Digital 
Library Network. 

During these presentations, you will hear about the program, guidelines & 
procedures as well as being able to ask questions of GEEP Alumni ... GEEP is 
still a fairly young program (I believe it was started in 83). 

Someone commented earlier that the GEEP gives you up to a year off to pursue
your masters degree and 2 years for your PHD. I would like to carefully re-
phrase that statement. 

	GEEP will pay your salary and fringe benefits while you WORK your 
	way through up to 18 months of graduate study at the masters level
	or 2 years of research towards your PHD (once your course work has
	been completed). 

As someone noted about taking grad courses at night and the sacrafices one
makes etc.... Grad School is a lot of hard work, and to pursue it in anyway
GEEP/NIGHT/Or-Own-Your-Own will regard a lot of sacrafices and most likely 
very little personal "free" time off. 

Regards/Ted Macomber, GEEP Alumni Dec 88

	As one who is currently winding-up my 8th and final semester
    of post-graduate night school at Harvard University, I highly recommend
    this approach, as I will have managed to complete my Certificate of
    Applied Sciences (with an emphasis in Software Engineering) while
    still working full-time at DEC and maintaining close tabs on the
    corporate culture.

	When I compare this experience to my full-time post-graduate
    experience (beteen graduating in 1980 with a BA, and before I came to
    DEC), I have found that when it comes to computer science, I do my best
    when I can totally emerse myself one course at a time.  When I was taking
    more than one course at the same time going to school full-time, even
    though I passed, I felt as though I was missing out on alot of the learning
    experience.

	Therefore, whether going to post-graduate school full-time (as I did
    in the early 80's), or part-time at night (as I have been doing the past
    four years while working here at DEC), the results are the same if not
    much better in the latter approach.  Either way, I only truly enjoy taking
    one class at a time.

				    -davo

    I completed my Master's prior to joining Digital. I recently
    considered going for a PhD via GEEP at a different school. 
    If I understand what the brochure says, GEEP requires that 
    a prospective PhD candidate should have completed the 
    qualifying exams prior to being approved for time off with pay. 
    I find this a serious limitation - I'd rather have my time off 
    when I'm slogging my way through the coursework before the exams!
    I feel it's easier to handle the thesis work after the exams
    while working full-time.
     
    Does anyone out there know if this a hard-and-fast rule?
    
    Ganesh.

    Re: -.1  I don't see where you get the impression that we should
    have finished our qualification examination for Ph.D. as an 
    requirement in my 1988-1989 Year GEEP booklet and note # 15.
    in HUBIE::GEEP.  You may be confusing it with course requirements
    which should be completed in case of Ph.D. prior to GEEP 
    sponsorship process.

    Let's take it to HUBIE::GEEP.
    Ganesh.

    Does anyone have experience with "Life Credits"... which schools are
    more generous?  How do I apply for them?
    
    Thanks

    Depends totally on the school.  The religious-affiliated universities
    locally here in Dallas tend to be very generous on this.  The dial-in
    and correspondence schools even more so.  I'm willing to bet Harvard
    gives very little credit.
    
    Some universities basically let you write down why you shouldn't have
    to take the class ... then you get credit for it.  Some require testing
    or a review by a panel or a professor teaching the class.
    
    
    I'd check the accreditation of the teaching institution first, life
    credits next.  If you're only looking for a piece of paper, check the
    back of the AmericanWay magazine and you'll see plenty advertising "MBA
    by correspondence, credit for life experience".  You're basically
    buying a degree.
    
    								Tex

        There are a number of Universities that offer credit for both
    previous exp and life exp [including special classes you may have taken at
    DEC or other places].
    
        Charter Oak State College in Connecticut has in state, in country
    and out of country students. COSC has the same ranking in degree
    granting authority as UCONN, YALE and the others. COSC is run by the CT
    State Department of Education.
    
        There is a process [not that long but slightly involved] for
    getting your previous credits recognized. Make application, pay the fees,
    request transcripts be sent directly to the schools, have the
    committee determine what you will get credit for. You can then test out
    [there are a number of tests available from the same folks that do the
    SATs] of a number of courses. You then take courses at a local school or
    by mail from an accredited school.
    
       I am enrolled at COSC, but am taking courses from SUNY-Empire State
    College and the University of Wisconsin.
    
        There are a couple of GREAT books that I can recommend. Titles later.
      
    Howard

    At Northeastern University, you can also get credit for "life
    experience" or "prior experience."  You can do a couple of things.  If
    a course requires a prerequisite that is covered by your work
    experience, you can talk to the instructor (as I did once) and have the
    prereq waived (I did not get any credits for the prereq, though).  The
    other thing you can do is take CLEP tests, if they exist for your area
    of knowledge.  If they do not exist, but NU has a class that you feel
    would be redundant for you, you can request a class syllabus and
    provide them with a portfolio of work proving that you have done or can
    do the work required at the level it is taught at NU.  This portfolio is,
    of course, accompanied by a fee, and is examined by a department panel.  
    There is a limit to the number of classes you can CLEP or get "prior 
    experience" credit for - I think it is 6, but it might be 5.
    
    Northeastern University is definitely not a correspondence school and
    you cannot just pay them for your degree.  Many colleges and
    universities fully recognize that, for whatever reasons, people often
    do not go on after high school.  They take life experience, personal
    studies, and work experience much more seriously than in the past.  And
    they are often willing to give credit (some more limited than others, of
    course) where it is due.
    
    You're on WMOIS, so you probably work in NQO.  Locally, I believe
    Franklin Pierce (*perhaps* not the finest of institutions, but
    accredited) is fairly generous with credits for life experience.  I do
    not think that UNH is as generous (may even limit it to subjects that
    can be CLEPped).
    
    The first thing to do is figure out what degree you are seeking, then
    figure out what colleges/universities offer that degree.  Then
    investigate them and find out what their policy is for CLEP and life
    experience.
    
    
    Good luck!
    Susan
                            

	Susan,

	Why do you seam to question Franklin Pierce's reputation ?  I attend
	FP at their Nashua campus and can assure you that it is not just an
	accredited institution.  The work is very demanding and I'm sure is
	on par with Northeastern.   Franklin Pierce seems to be a very 
	good Libral Arts type school albeit small compared to N'eastern and
	UNH.

	As for allowing credit for life experience: Yes, FP does give credit
	but you will have to request it through a process they call LEAP which
	involves creating a portfolio and recruiting a 'sponsor' who is a 
	creditable expert in the area(s) you are attempting to LEAP. It is not
	an easy process.  As a matter of fact, although I *could've* gone 
	through the LEAP procedure for several courses needed in my degree 
	program, I rather feel the classes are easier and more interesting.

	Regards,

		Chuck

    Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, NJ is an acreditted state
    college that allows credit for experience, tech schools, correspondence
    (video, etc), clep tests and actually taking courses at other schools. 
    I got both my Associate's and Bachelor's degrees thru them.  It was
    rather nice because I could take the courses anywhere I could find a
    course that fit into my schedule.  The video course I took was thru the
    college and that was good too.
    
    There are no classrooms there and they cater to students who have been
    out in the real world for a while.
    
    contact me if you want more info.
    cheryl
    

    I meant not offense to FP or FP students.  My comment was directed more
    toward the prior Harvard comment - which seemed to imply to me that
    the very best schools would never do this.  I don't consider FP, NU,
    UNH, NHC, DWC, etc. the "very best" schools, but all are accredited, and
    all have some departments that are considered better than others, etc.
    And they're affordable, for the most part (affordable being a relative
    term).
    
    Bill, was that a "look before you LEAP" comment you were choking back?
    
    
    Susan

    Peterson's 'The Independent Study Catalog' Published for the National
    University Continuing Education Association is a must buy. [Sure you
    might find it at the library, but it is too good a resource to return.]
    I've been told the is a PC basedversion also. There are about 100
    colleges and universities that offer 1000s of courses.
    
    Of the schools I sent info requests [about 35], 1 had the info to me
    the same week, the longest 3 weeks. Many have continued with followup
    mailings.
    
    Testing is done thru CLEP, ACT PEP, GRE, AP [Advanced Placement
    Examinations], USAFI and DANTES.
    
    Real world, real degrees.
    
    Howard
     

    On a slightly different note here, I was contacted this morning by the
    University of Maryland. They are planning to build a Disabled Students
    Services center at the university and have asked me to help them. I'll
    need to do a needs assessment to include the various disabilities. 
    
    Could someone here provide me with a pointer to the University's sales
    rep, so I can handle this appropriate way?
    
    Thanks,
    

Michael G. Paciello
Digital Equipment Corporation
Program Manager
Vision Impaired Information Services (VIIS)
110 Spit Brook Road
Nashua, NH. USA  03062
Phone: (603) 881-1831
FAX: (603) 881-0120
Internet: [email protected]
President: International Committee for Accessible Document Design (ICADD)
ViceChair: Electronics Industries Association/Assistive Devices Division 
Member: Project EASI
Member: Disabilities Access for X (DACx)
Member: NCSA/NSF Mosaic Access Project

    re .-1
    
    According to my local crib sheet, the University of Md. falls within
    Jim Coleman's account sales group. His DTN is 339-5200. He should be
    able to direct you to the specific representative working the
    account. 
    
    Cheers,
    -b

re. -1

Thanks for the info.

Regards,

-Mike

Not to derail a nice rathole, but I'm curious.
The topic is the GEEP program.
My understanding is that GEEP is dead, at least as far
as new applicants.  Is this not true?
I have no problem with folks discussing the relative merits of 
various schools here, I was just curious.

Kevin

re: .22
�    There are a number of Universities that offer credit for both
�    previous exp and life exp [including special classes you may have taken at
  
and .23
�    At Northeastern University, you can also get credit for "life
�    experience" or "prior experience."  You can do a couple of things.  If

I don't know if these are what prompted WLDBIL::KILGORE's .25 ("Help! I'm not 
sure I can resist..."), but

Does any one know of a school that provides credit for *previous life* 
experience?

Bruce

  > Note 1025.32 by DECWET::FARLEE 

  > The topic is the GEEP program. My understanding is that GEEP is dead, at
  > least as far as new applicants.  Is this not true? 

From the retired VTX GEEP infobase...

           This program has been suspended.  Please refer questions
           to Karen Hebert, RDVAX::HEBERT, DTN: 226-5105.
                                                                            

Does any one know of a school that provides credit for *previous life* 
experience?

Bruce,


    Many colleges and universities do provide for life experience 
    credits.  It might help us here in answering your question if
    you throw at us some of the places that interest you.  I got
    nine credits for life from Lesley College.  I do know that 
    Framingham State gives credits also.

    justme....jacqui

    p.s.  There is also the CLEP testing for credits available.

    Um, jacqui, I think he was talking about a previous life, not
    experience!  You know, a la Shirley MacLaine!  ;-)  --Susan

    Well, if he can write then he can do disertations on his 'life
    experiences'!  All he has to do is document, document, document.

    It's a shot, at least!

    justme