well i m thinking abt getting an online degree but i dont have any idea how feasible it is in the real world . . . . guide me
thanks
3 Comments Already
March 13th, 2010 @9:44 pm
Congratulations on thinking about furthering your education, you won’t regret it.
If life’s circumstances permit it, I believe it is better to get a traditional education. However, if you can’t attend class traditionally, then online is a valid option. Not all career paths are available online though. Some careers require a certain amount of hands-on training. There are plenty of business careers and liberal arts degrees available. There are even a good deal of computer science type degrees online. But, if you are looking to become a lawyer or get your first degree in Nursing, then online is out of the question.
The state universities and community colleges will be the best and least expensive way to further your education online. Usually degrees obtained online from state universities and colleges will be no different than a degree granted to a student sitting in class. You probably won’t get a scholarship, but financial aid is possible.
Stay away from the for-profits because of high cost. Some will be reasonable, but most, like University of Phoenix, overcharge. For example, UoP charges $494 per semester credit hour, but Fort Hays State University charges $137. UoP is supposed to drop their tuition rates to $430 per semester credit hour, which is still high.
If you are just starting your college education or have less than 60 semester credit hours, try your local community college first. They may have an online AA degree program. If they don’t, try other community colleges in your state.
Once you have an AA degree, you can enroll in an online bachelor’s degree completion program at one of the state universities. Many state universities now have online degrees. The following are some websites to get you started.
http://www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/
http://www.peru.edu/offuttafb/degreeprograms/onlinelearning.htm
http://outreach.uwyo.edu/ocp/
http://www.distance.msstate.edu/
http://www.distancelearning.ufl.edu/degrees.aspx
http://www.apu.apus.edu/index.htm
http://www.online.uillinois.edu/
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ode/CollegeOverview.asp
When comparing tuition costs, you have to check if the school is on semester or quarter credit hours. To convert from quarter hours to semester hours, divide the tuition by 0.67. For example, if tuition is $180 per quarter credit hour, that is equal to $268.66 per semester credit hour.
When you choose a school, make sure it is at least regionally accredited. You can check accreditation at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.asp You can learn more about accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
Finally, there are a couple of forums online with members who have obtained their degrees online. Some have gone pretty far with their online degrees. The forums are free to join but you can read the forum without joining. You just won’t be able to post. http://forums.degreeinfo.com and http://www.instantcertonline.com/forums
Good luck
March 13th, 2010 @10:34 pm
Before you commit to one of those pretend schools, look at this web site http://www.aiutruth.com
& read this post. It is the most eloqent tirade that I have seen on the subject of pretend online schools
[you can find the original post here: [http://answers.yahoo.com/quest…………
The following was written by “PhD Seeking” (not me)
As someone who’s responsible for hiring people at my fortune 100 company, I can honestly say that any resume sporting an on-line degree goes into the “circular file”, regardless of their other qualifications.
I have my MBA from a traditional school, and shortly after I graduated and continually until this day, I have been solicited by the UoP to teach on-line business courses for them. While I have several years of work experience (which they didn’t know), I was apparently qualified simply because they purchased a mailing list of graduates from my school and saw I had a degree. Not that PhD professors are better teachers, because some of mine really sucked as communicators, but asking people with limited work and educational experience to teach students shows a lack of concern about educational quality, and more about getting an instructor at a cheap price. If you don’t believe me, check out the career section on the UoP site or other job boards and you’ll see the low standards they set for educators. (see the ad below)
Getting a real degree tells me the applicant can make a long term commitment that requires sacrifice. On-line classes are the ultimate sign of laziness. With all real colleges offering part-time or evening classes, going the on-line route suggests you’re looking for the easy way out. Most employers within reputable companies, including myself, won’t take a chance.
Lastly, be prepared for the teasing, either publically, or more probably, behind your back, by your co-workers with real degrees
As long as it is an accredited university an online degree is just as valuable as if you went to classes in the brick buildings on campus.