Well, now what?

I applied to a university for my doctorate in education. A competitive program. And…..I got in. Didn’t think I would….but I did.

I was looking for an online program, which I found. It also has 3 residency requirements-summer long-that I’ll have to go to. I also needed an accredited place. This is, by the National Council for Teacher Education and every, EVERY teacher licensing agency that I would need to get a job. So, even though its online, it’s legit.

Not only did God provide that….but he threw in a Christian U. It’s a private Christian university. You know how hard it is to find accredited doctoral programs online in education? Very hard. Add to that, how hard it is to find a doctoral program with a specialization in giftedness, even in a brick and mortar U.? Very hard. But God provided AND threw the fact that its a Christian U.in  as a bonus. (side note: some people have hinted that this U. is not a "real" one because it’s Christian. WTH? They act like because it’s Christian they "have" to accept and graduate everybody. Not so. They had GPA and GRE requirements, among other things that I had to meet. No one assumes that places like Seton Hall or Notre Dame-both Catholic U’s-are less than a secular U..so why so with a Christian U? I have a feeling I may have to fight this stereotype a bit. After all, it’s not some honky-donk establishment in someone’s basement, it’s not Joe’s Baptist Snake Charming Come and get ur degree University).

My emphasis would be on gifted education, the degree itself is an Ed.D in teaching and learning.

I’m kind of freaking out. I’ve wanted to get my doctorate since I was in high school…but never thought it would happen. If anything, I thought it would happen when I was retired and in my 60’s or 70’s.

So…now what? Do I accept? How the heck are we going to afford this on just Art’s salary? Should we dip even MORE into our inheritance/retirement funds? Will this pay off financially once Lexi’s in school and I go back to work, will I get a higher paying job? Is this not about money but about something I’ve really wanted to do and God is blessing? Can I do this while also taking Lexi to play dates and MOPS and music class and doctors appointments and cleaning the house and cooking dinner? Perhaps its time to rehire the maid if I go back to school (Art, don’t freak out, it’s just a thought).

And….I’m actually a little scared. Getting my masters didn’t scare me, I was excited about it. But…the idea of doing doctoral level work and…in a few years….completing and DEFENDING (gulp) a dissertation (which is a requirement of my program) scares the poop out of me. Am I doctoral material? Do I have…what it takes to do this?