These degrees are always advertised, "Tired of your job? Earn your Bachelors or Masters online!" and I was just wondering if it is actually worth it to get one. I'm sure they're hard to get, especially in one year, so is all that work really worth it? Or is it better to just go to a normal university?
2007-02-04 14:14:51 · 8 answers · asked by karen 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Yes, as long as they are accredited. I graduated from Keller Graduate School of Management this past fall and there has been no question about the school's validity. My degree did take 3 years to complete primarily because I work full time as well. You will never learn anything from a "school" that offers a degree in any time less.
The real test of your school's credibility and value is found in your everyday performance - not the paper.
I would also add that studying online is not at all easy... in any way. I pretty much spent every weekend of the last 3 years doing projects and assignments. The commercials that market a 'free and easy (online) student lifestyle' is misleading. I received my BS from Montana and my grad degree was twice as difficult - easily!
Thanks
2007-02-04 15:16:22 · answer #1 · answered by erok2020 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would concur with the first answer here. However, typically, employers are looking for someone who is well-educated. Most people (not all, but most) learn less from taking courses online. So these schools may get a bad 'rap' because of this. University of Phoenix, in my personal opinion, is the only online school that is worth your time. My personal opinion is that you should only go to an online school if (1) you plan to later go on to get a higher degree, such as a graduate degree or (2) you plan to work for yourself. Otherwise, you are severely disadvantaging yourself in comparison with many others who paid less for a degree from a school with more personal professors who teach you better. If you plan to work for yourself, there is no employer to judge you by where you went to school. Online schools offer a good education, just as traditional schools do. Employers, however, do not offer them the same respect.
2007-02-04 14:30:01 · answer #2 · answered by ufralphie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I disagree with the statement that you learn less from taking courses online. I am taking distance courses through Oregon State University and 95% of the work is done over the internet. I have also gone to traditional "brick and mortar" colleges and can honestly say I am getting a better education through the distance. I have had to work harder because you have to be self-motivated to do it. My instructors have been great, they are well educated, and have a ton of field experience. These people teach both traditional and non-traditional formats and very few have less than a Phd. You are required to interact with other students in the course through mandatory weekly discussion forums. The course work includes lectures to watch, tests to take, and papers to write. When I graduate I will have a degree from Oregon State, the same as any other "traditional" student. No employer is going to know the difference. I am only taking my courses in a non-traditional way and to imply that I am less educated than the traditional student is an ignorant statement. Regardless of what format you do it is the effort you put into it that dictates how much you get out of it.
With that being said, be careful of the online program you choose. Go only for accredited schools and I would highly recommend that you look into universities because many of them have distance/online programs. My degree will not have taken me one year to get. If you go through traditional schools you can expect to take the 4/5 years to complete; just as if you were to be attending a traditional college campus. In addition I would recommend going to a community college and getting your basics out of the way before doing an on-line program (it's much cheaper that way).
Just be wise in your selection and you will be fine.
2007-02-06 09:24:57 · answer #3 · answered by dancingdog1 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
University of phoenix is not only online,its just known more as an online school and has alot of people enrolling.Phoenix has now even been enrolling students,that you'd expect going straight into state schools.Students between the ages of 18-22...This article will help you alot about phoenix.Just know that phoenix is only discussed so much because its become quite large and sucessful.
2007-02-04 15:42:10 · answer #4 · answered by shakeem47 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While the University of Phoenix is accredited I would not consider it much of an option. the fact is that most of the people in Business got their degrees from brick and mortar institutions and are not going to look too favorably on those who got a degree on-line. Keep in mind that I have spent a lot of time in brick and mortar institutions and have a bias towards them.
2007-02-04 14:26:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many mainstream universities have on line programs that allow you to obtain the same degree as if you attended on campus classes. Check out Cal State East Bay's Department of Leadership in Hospitality and Leisure Services, they have a great program with options in Hospitality, Leisure Services or Recreation Therapy.
www.csueastbay.edu/LHLS
2007-02-07 10:49:12 · answer #6 · answered by jh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just need to make sure that the online university you are planning on attending is accredited. If you attend an online university that is not it is likely that your degree would not be recognized. I believe the University of Phoenix is accredited.
2007-02-04 14:21:49 · answer #7 · answered by nateandlexi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I certainly hope they are looked upon as real degrees -- I graduate from there in two weeks!
2007-02-04 14:28:33 · answer #8 · answered by Vicky L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋