I currently have completed 56 graduate course credits at my university - not including the deferred credits toward dissertation and, now, thesis, credits I have taken. The typical PhD program requires approximately 45 or so course credits and then maybe 24 dissertation credits before graduation. The good news is that by the end of this year, I will have already completed a full year's curriculum of the PhD criminal justice program, plus I will have most (if not all) of my required cognate (an additional required 12 credits) complete. So, there is a slight possibility that I may be able to graduate by 2018 (3 years - just 2 after my "official start!"). As long as I take summer courses, set my sights early on my dissertation topic, and do not waver too much from it.
I am also getting back in front of a classroom this semester!! I was rehired into my old fellowship where I am a co-convenor for a college course. We are called convenors because we empower the students to help design the curriculum for the class. It's a wonderful program to work with and in addition to teaching with it, I will spend a semester doing research as well.
Of course I still have my incredible job, where we work with high school youth, helping them succeed and get into college. It's our 50th year on campus and we are planning a huge alumni event to celebrate. As the data person, I'll be doing a lot of surveys and research studies.
I also need to complete my thesis, redo my my PhD admissions stuff, take my in class and online courses, and spend time with family.
Luckily, I'm going to take it all just one day at a time and try to not get overwhelmed! Has it really only been a year since I was writing about whether I would be admitted back into school? Waiting for that decision from admissions was agony!
Here I am. As real a student as you can find. Too much on my plate, but just enough nerd to love it! It's back to school time, actually one of my favorite times of the year (excitement for the unknown!).