Please help, difficult decision with degree (U of Alberta)

I have been essentially accepted in to a masters degree program, but
with some requirements. Basically, I am a qualifying student, and
need some real advice.

I have a BS in Physics (in the US) with good grades (Cum Laude).
Graduated in 1991. Since then I have been a Software Engineer,
programming Visual Basic, C++, FORTRAN, ADA, C#, the works... Even
some 3-d graphics programming in DirectX for video game companies.

All my life I have been fascinated with meteorology, but was kind of
discouraged out of it about 8 years ago by a TV meteorologist in
Dallas. She told me that the pay was very low unless you had a
masters. I was making nice money at the time, and had no desire for
school. I felt maybe it would be satisfying to someday just work with
meteorologists.

Well, I have decided to go all the way now. Masters, maybe more.
Around October I decided to apply, and since most universities require
GRE's, I applied in Canada. I did take the GRE's with pretty good
results (680 Quant, 630 Analyt.) and don't wish to take them again.
The scores are more than 5 years old... I have many friends in Canada
and love the cold, so there you go. University of Alberta, Edmonton
has agreed to consider me a "qualifying student" and
even have several contacts there wishing to fund me. But they all
agree, that before funding could happen, I need four courses (300
level I think) and will be at my cost.

Note that it will be illegal for me to work in Canada outside the
University, so that option will be out I suppose. It's a shame since
I am a great programmer, and have 4-5 years of teaching experience. I
do not have the money in savings to pay for the pre-req's without
working. So I am left with these:

[1] Take the courses in an American University and work in the same
town, and take the four pre-requisites as a non-degree student.
eg.: State College, PA (Penn State)
Grand Forks, ND

This option is becoming difficult. The jobs keep appearing where
there are no serious
meteorology courses.

[2] I could just work anywhere, Pittsburg being a great choice for me
now, and simply satisfy my 4 pre-requisites online (Distance
learning). I do very well at self-paced study, so I would have no
problem with this. Heck, I am even doing it now on my own.
This is assuming that they (U of Alberta) would honor it. I think
they would, They are very happy with my skills and Physics degree,
but simply want SOME meteology in my background. Overall, they are
extremely friendly and willing to work with me.

Anyone know of some online courses that would no doubt be of
enough quality?

Intro to Atmospheric Science
Climatology
Atmospheric Physics
Thermodynamics (as related to weather)

I am pretty sure they do not mean subjective, freshman courses.
Maybe Diffie-Q level?

[3] Of course, I could just work a year or so, save all my money and
THEN go. But I am already
36. I do not want to delay this any further. I am so excited
about it, but not sure
which way to go.

Of course, a fourth option would be to forget it all and just keep
programming, and never be

happy with my career, and also always wish I had pursued my passion.

Isn't that just the way it always is? Money could solve everything.


Thank you so much for any advice.

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\ \/ \/ ___| Jeff Hartman /|__
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\//\\// __| /" WVU /"\_}
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