are online degrees worth anything??

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Just because something is difficult does not mean it is effective. You can do twice the work and still get half the education.

 

[wvjules]

I think these generalizations about online universities hurt those hard working people who work full time and need a flexible way to learn. I received my Master's online but I did have a local practicum and that landed me a job. Granted, I have received a Bachelor's from a traditional school and had a 10 year career, but it was how I presented myself and took responsibility of my education that made a difference. If someone never stepped foot into a classroom and were branching into a brand new career, I would recommend arranging an internship to make local contacts and learn on the job for a while.

Those who have never taken an online class can't possibly appreciate the effort it takes to learn independently, multitask and complete group projects with people all over the world in different time zones. The experiences made me a better communicator and the professors were wonderful experts who would not choose to teach at a traditional school as they hold prestigious positions in their field during the day.

OP: I would suggest that you research many online programs and schools carefully. I chose a reputable school and was never questioned about the quality of education I received.

I think that is what most people are saying.

 

[samshane]

I work at a college - I transfer in the credits people have taken at other schools.

I cannot stress enough - please be sure the school is ACCREDITED! We will only accept credit from schools that are regionally accredited - not privately. So if you are looking to transfer those credits to another program on school one day you must check this out. We have students mad with us all the time over this... but it's not our fault. I have students tell me all the time that such-and-such school told me that you would definitely take my credits. Uh, no... many of them will tell you what you want to hear to get your money.

Now, some online schools such as University of Phoenix are regionally accredited. But you need to do your research and ask a lot of questions. Schools such as Bryman, Everest, Eton (whatever name they are using) are only privately accredited. So some of them are absolutely legitimate, reginally accredited schools, you just need to be careful as to which one.

Many brick-and-mortar schools now offer many, many online classes. I would look at one of those schools before I'd go looking for a strictly online school.

Just my 2 cents - I also read an article from NY times recently about some of these schools practices as to lending money and job promises. Not good.

Best of luck to you in your decision.

 

[SkcMom]

I work at a college - I transfer in the credits people have taken at other schools.

I cannot stress enough - please be sure the school is ACCREDITED! We will only accept credit from schools that are regionally accredited - not privately. So if you are looking to transfer those credits to another program on school one day you must check this out. We have students mad with us all the time over this... but it's not our fault. I have students tell me all the time that such-and-such school told me that you would definitely take my credits. Uh, no... many of them will tell you what you want to hear to get your money.

Now, some online schools such as University of Phoenix are regionally accredited. But you need to do your research and ask a lot of questions. Schools such as Bryman, Everest, Eton (whatever name they are using) are only privately accredited. So some of them are absolutely legitimate, reginally accredited schools, you just need to be careful as to which one.

Many brick-and-mortar schools now offer many, many online classes. I would look at one of those schools before I'd go looking for a strictly online school.

Just my 2 cents - I also read an article from NY times recently about some of these schools practices as to lending money and job promises. Not good.

Best of luck to you in your decision.

What about Western Governor's University? My DH just finished his first semester with them. He is working on an IT security degree.

 

[bicker]

Western Governors University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, one of the major accrediting commissions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

[Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Governors_University#Accreditation]

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

being I am a full time student, I cannot understand how people even do all there schooling on~line! Some days I am in school for 10 hours!! But then again I am all science! to me, it just would not be school!!

 

[luvsJack]

I work at a college - I transfer in the credits people have taken at other schools.

I cannot stress enough - please be sure the school is ACCREDITED! We will only accept credit from schools that are regionally accredited - not privately. So if you are looking to transfer those credits to another program on school one day you must check this out. We have students mad with us all the time over this... but it's not our fault. I have students tell me all the time that such-and-such school told me that you would definitely take my credits. Uh, no... many of them will tell you what you want to hear to get your money.

Now, some online schools such as University of Phoenix are regionally accredited. But you need to do your research and ask a lot of questions. Schools such as Bryman, Everest, Eton (whatever name they are using) are only privately accredited. So some of them are absolutely legitimate, reginally accredited schools, you just need to be careful as to which one.

Many brick-and-mortar schools now offer many, many online classes. I would look at one of those schools before I'd go looking for a strictly online school.

Just my 2 cents - I also read an article from NY times recently about some of these schools practices as to lending money and job promises. Not good.

Best of luck to you in your decision.

Yep, we are having this problem more and more in our office. We have several that can't even get a transcript from these colleges ( and even though we do not accept their credits, we do require a transcript brought in) because the colleges say they owe money. It seems like that happens a huge amount of the time. Not sure if it is students not understanding the charges or the colleges charging huge fees for dropping out/transferring or what the problem is but 9 out of 10 will owe a large amount of money.

As for transfering credits, it still is really going to depend on your intentions. We, as a community college, have classes that do not transfer to a university, but if your intentions are to enter our college and become a Physical Therapist Assistant then the PTA classes not transfering is a non issue. So if you are attending an online school, know that you will be able to advance in the job you have or to get the job you are wanting with the degree from the online school and do not want to advance your education further or will not need to get any credits from another school, transferring credits may be a non issue for you. You need to do a LOT of research and find out if the degree from the college you will attend will work for what you want to do with it.

 

[luvsJack]

being I am a full time student, I cannot understand how people even do all there schooling on~line! Some days I am in school for 10 hours!! But then again I am all science! to me, it just would not be school!!

Its not easy. I took a lot of my classes for my associate's degree online from the college I work for. You do not have to listen to a lecture (which is great for me because I HATE that) but you usually print what would have been the lecture and read it. You complete several assignments each week that are completed and submitted online and take quizzes online. Many, many online classes actually require more hours per week than traditional classes.

 

[Aristomommy]

being I am a full time student, I cannot understand how people even do all there schooling on~line! Some days I am in school for 10 hours!! But then again I am all science! to me, it just would not be school!!

Not all classes are suitable for online teaching, IMHO. I took all my physics, anatomy and chemistry in person since the labs are impossible to do online. Those courses were on Sundays from 12-7pm as that was the only time I could go. Now for my Master's, there were no classes that couldn't be completed online and I learned so much from the professors and fellow students who were also in the working world and could chime in with real experiences.

I also contacted some local PhD programs to see if they would accept my Master's if I chose to go and get a Doctorate, and they all said I chose a good program and all credits would transfer. If a student is thinking about continuing school after the first degree, I would consider this as well.

 

[tasha99]

being I am a full time student, I cannot understand how people even do all there schooling on~line! Some days I am in school for 10 hours!! But then again I am all science! to me, it just would not be school!!

I don't think it would work for every subject. I take speech science at the graduate level, and I can completely see how this would work. You would just have to set up your practicum work through local schools and hospitals.

 

[emma'smom]

How will you do your methods courses completely online? At some point, won't you need to actually TEACH children face-to-face and have someone mentor you? I can see online courses for foundations and graduate courses for in-service teachers....but it seems like methods really need to have a face-to-face component, even lectures are online.

I am hoping to earn a teaching degree, starting in June and will be attending an entirely online school (WGU). I contacted the state department of ed. and asked about getting my license with this degree. They said as long as the school is regionally accredited. WGU is both regionally and nationally accredited.

 

[luvsJack]

How will you do your methods courses online? At some point, won't you need to actually TEACH children face-to-face and have someone mentor you?

I will do student teaching at a local school.

 

[SkcMom]

Thanks Bicker!

 

[Shellie722]

I just went back to school last semester after ALOT of years away from the classroom. I am working on completing a pre-pharmacy cirriculum and take a mix of online and in-person classes at a well established local college which has coordinated its pre-pharm, pre-med, and pre-dentistry cirriculum with some of the best schools not only in the state but in the region and country.

Some of the programs they offer could be done entirely online with the exception of proctored exams and any required clinical/internship/lab.

I am taking my science classes in person because they are generally higher level classes and I do have to take labs with them. I'm also taking a couple of my more dreaded/sleep inducing subjects in person so that there is an extra layer of accountability for classes like Early-Middle European History last semester that I am not sure I would be very self-motivated for.

For convenience and scheduling ease (ha!) I took one class online last semester and am taking two online this semester.

One of my online classes is Spanish. We have about 20-30 small assignments and a quiz or test due online each week plus mandatory group voice chats for an hour and a half, one on one voice conversations with our instructor, oral exams, and power point presentations spread through the semester. A friend is taking the "same" class in person. Hers was supposed to be 3 days a week. It's not, it's 2 and they have one assignment due each class and a test or quiz about once every 3 weeks.

My other online class this semester is Microeconomics. When I went to get my books the guy at the bookstore accidently gave me the text for the in person section. I read through some of the modules before I realized it and got the right book instead. I should have just switched sections and taken the "regular" class. Our text book even is more complicated and presents us more complex theories and more in depth examination of each topic. We also have online discussion forums each week, a quiz each week, and a test every 2 weeks. Other pre-pharm students I know have joked about how easy microecon is and wondered how you take economics and never look at a single chart or math equation. You don't...at least not in my online class. We have a large number of formulas, equations, graphs, and charts.

Online classes are great in the sense that I can do my work in my jammies at 3am if I want BUT they are definitely NOT the easy way out...and I fully admit to expecting my first online class to be exactly that- the easy way out.

Like others have said, the key is looking at the individual school, program, and classes. Then, if all of that is in order, look at your own motivation because if you don't make yourself do the work and aren't motivated to work on your own stay away from online classes.

 

[MyManGoofy!]

Yep, we are having this problem more and more in our office. We have several that can't even get a transcript from these colleges ( and even though we do not accept their credits, we do require a transcript brought in) because the colleges say they owe money. It seems like that happens a huge amount of the time. Not sure if it is students not understanding the charges or the colleges charging huge fees for dropping out/transferring or what the problem is but 9 out of 10 will owe a large amount of money.

As for transfering credits, it still is really going to depend on your intentions. We, as a community college, have classes that do not transfer to a university, but if your intentions are to enter our college and become a Physical Therapist Assistant then the PTA classes not transfering is a non issue. So if you are attending an online school, know that you will be able to advance in the job you have or to get the job you are wanting with the degree from the online school and do not want to advance your education further or will not need to get any credits from another school, transferring credits may be a non issue for you. You need to do a LOT of research and find out if the degree from the college you will attend will work for what you want to do with it.

Absolutely. Every college/university can place different criteria on what credits/degree programs they will accept for transfer. Regional accreditation is just a starting point. It is up to the accepting institution to decide what credits/degrees they will accept in transfer. Regional accreditation or being listed on CHEA does not mean your credits are automatically transferred anywhere!

If you are planning on going to one of these 100% online - for profit schools (we are talking U of P, Strayer, Everest, Kaplan etc... NOT a traditional brick and mortar that also has an online program.) always research past the degree you are getting from them. Will a BS from them transfer to a Master's program elsewhere? Will these degrees be accepted for various credentials - C.A.D.E. comes to mind, teaching etc... Once you research this you will find that you are probably spending $60K+ on a useless degree.