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Im attending mountain state university which is an online and regular college for my bachelors. It has been great!
Edited -- I take it back. I thought University of Phoenix was ONLY online, but it seems that they have campuses, too.
I think it depends on their accreditation, but that varies with brick and mortar universities, too. I think that some people tend to think online classes (like community college) are easier, but if the program is accredited, it shouldn't matter. That doesn't always bear true, though.
I have found that unless the professor is very dedicated, you really don't learn as much in an online class. The only time I had a great experience was when we were forced to to online group projects and required to respond to threads regularly and the professor guided the threads.
Otherwise, based on my experience, I would question someone's credentials. Granted, I've taken a number of online classes since I worked full time while I obtained my last 2 graduate degrees. There were no online classes when I obtained my BA or JD (back when email was in its infancy).
Oh, my first 2 degrees that involved online classes, most of the lectures were taped from live lectures given in previous semesters (Dallas Theological Seminary & University of Texas School of Public Health). For my most recent experience, I took classes at Houston Communtiy College. All they did at the community college was tell us we had to sign up for online videos through Lynda.com. One class had a few assignments. The other class just had us do these step-by-step projects out of a book. It makes me really question the quality of the education received by those community college students. I don't care so much for me, because with 4 degrees, I just did it for enrichment.
I am anxious to hear everyone's responses =) I went to a traditional brick and mortar for my BA degree, which was in communication.
Now, I am thinking of a few degree programs and due to their specialization, not a lot of schools have them, and I currently have a FT job so it would be kind of difficult.
Oh, the reason that the Dallas Theological Seminary developed so many online classes is that the found that when there were international students who came to the states for training, they didn't usually go back. Part of the seminary's vision is to provide training to students in other countries so they are equipped to minister to them. They had a very good program witha TA assigned to half of each class to monitor and provide input. Lectures had to be viewed during the assigned week (but could be at your convenience during the week).
It totally depends.
I was attending a really reputable MBA/Masters of Engineering through Purdue. Purdue is a really good school. And the classes are the SAME classes and tests as offered online. They just set up a video recorder in class and you have to watch them later. Boring, but it was still high quality.
Online colleges in general? I'm not a fan if you can actually get to a regular university. Plus they're typically pricier b/c of the tech fees. Schools like Phoenix and Devry, well, just not a fan of the quality you receive unless you're going for an AA or something like business or stuff like that. Even then, pick a better school. Some classes are OK to take online--i'm taking Medical Terminology all distant study. But it's offered via a Chiropractic College. I'm taking Anatomy through a Medical School, all offered online. But only b/c i can't physically take those on campus.
I think it's different when a "regular" university/college offers a program online, it's another to be a 100% online college like Phoenix.
Those online programs are the same as the online ones and they come with the name of the school. Nobody knew my Purdue degree would've been online unless I told them.
They're kinda boring IMO. I'd rather sit in class than sit and try to watch him lecture on my laptop. Snooze. For some subjects I see the feasibility, for some, it's really hard to do them.
My mom got her MBA online. I know she worked very hard, but she was often dissapointed with the quality of instruction. I also think she feels that her degree is not taken very seriously.
On the other hand, I think she is glad she did and that she learned a lot.
One thing you may want to do is look into whether you can complete a project as part of your program, something tangible. To the extent people take my mom's degree seriously, it is when she talks about the projects she did. Hers was a working professionals program that her company paid for, so the program required her to take on a substantive program at work. Having something concrete to point to has been good for her, and you may find it beneficial for you as well. If you can't do it through work, maybe for a non-profit (Ex. business or marketing plan for a NP, workforce needs analysis, audit, etc.).
Good luck and congratulations on thinking about taking this step.
@ejs - great insight! thanks for some pros and cons, it really helps!
@monita - glad to hear personal experience as well, thanks!!
it's a daunting task, thinking about school again (just realized recently i have been graduated out of college for 4 years!) but once again bees, you've shown me this is such a helpful place for insight!
When i did my undergrad at a regular university, i had an online class and it was just terrible that i dropped it and picked up another one. It's just not the same, to me. Geographically i'm pretty stuck, b/c i woudln't seriously consider getting another degree nearby. I would consider getting my masters online, but only from a school with either accrediation, or a physical campus with a reputable program. I wouldn't want to take the chance w/ an online-only school since the curriculum could suffer. A coworker does this, and has a lot of online group papers. I don't think it's challenging enough for me and the cost is just as $ (or more) as a traditional school. I want to learn, not just participate and get a degree. Let us know what you decide! We are FL neighbors :)
What kind of program are you interested in and what do you want to do with it?
Some of my work involves looking at consultant CVs. Many have gone to online colleges and get paid the max government daily rate.. so, not everyone looks down at online degrees.
A lot of state colleges have satellite schools that offer more flexible class times. Their degrees won't say it was an offshoot, just _ University. Is that an option you're considering?
@melissabegins - yes, FL love. =)
I am looking for a Masters of Library and Information Studies - which I have come to find, are somewhat few and far between. The American Library Association lists about 80 schools, which means only 2 in FL. The online school I was looking at is Drexel and is ranked No.9, which seems pretty impressive, but I'd love to hear from anyone with more experience with it.
Side note: this info-seeking journey is just part 1 in many parts...I am guessing I wouldn't start the process for at least 6 mos to a year from now. =)
I say no becuase I have taken online classes for college, and they are harder than going to school. If you miss one link or something, you are screwed. Plus, you have to be super motivated and make yourself log on and everything and check back all the time and truthfully, I'm lazy when it comes to that! So it might work for some, but not for me, or any of my friends for the same reason.
Some more thoughts: I'd DEFINITELY pick a reputable program, though. With a communications BS, not sure what you want for yoru masters, but you definitely want something that makes you competitive. Just ONE of my stinkin' classes (3 credits) was $3500. They aren't always cheap. But the program was specifically designed for working adult professionals.
If you plan on working, they're a good way to go. But if you want to do it just to avoid GOING to school for 2 years for a regular masters, don't do it. They're boring and lack a lot of the stimulation of a regular university. You're out on your own, no help, left field.
If I could've done this program locally, I would've chosen that option. But no st louis university would allow me into their engineering programs b/c I didn't have an engineering undergrad. Nor did they have joint MBA programs at night.
Oh and I had to find a proctor for all my tests. Luckily the university was right there. And it takes time to turn in homework. I had to scan and fax it all over. TOok a long long time.
Are you going to work full time while working on your MS? IF so, I think that is more 'accepted' than if you don't work but just attend online college unless the program is really specific. Does your company pay for any of this? Mine paid for 100% of my tuition and it would've been totally worth it. Otherwise I NEVER would've done it.
Also, a lot of my coworkers did traditioanl colleges nearby, like WashU. They said it was harder to take "regular" masters b/c they were on business travel a lot and would miss stuff in class. With online classes, if you're in this position, you can watch them on travel. It sucks, but you do what you gotta do.
Also, if you get confused or lost or have a question, its really hard to get a hold of your teacher. And sometimes the links and stuff don't work, then you can get behind.
1. My husband is currently working towards his MS in Environmental Engineering and Water Resources from Villanova University. It's an accredicted university (actually, a Catholic university in Philidelphia) that happens to have a distance-learning option with some of its degrees.
2. We both attended a private, Catholic college for our undergrad degrees. My husband got his BA in Civil Engineering, and he is now getting his MS online.
3. Villanova is a good school, and the program he's in is highly rated. He did a lot of research before applying to graduate schools to make sure he was getting into a competitive program at a good school. I think he generally likes his professors, and the distance education set-up is actually really cool. The classes are filmed so he can watch them at any time, but if he's watching while the class is actually happening, he's able to participate in the class by using special chat features. I think the only thing that is frustrating is that he doesn't have access to tutoring for his high-level chemistry classes. The Lab Director at work has been helping him when he really needs it, but it'd be nice to sit down face-to-face with other chem grad students or a teacher's aid and get some one-on-one tutoring.
I think the important thing is to really research before doing an online program. You want to make sure the school AND the program are accredited. Also, find out the specifics of how the online portions work and what resources you'll have for to teachers, study groups, homework help, etc... I think my husband has had a really posiitive experience so far, and when I go back to school to complete my grad degree, I'll also be enrolling in an online program. :)
Drexel looks like it's ranked nicely. In which case I wouldn't worry about the "quality" of education you're receiving.
Call around to some employers you'd be intersted in working for and see what THEY think of this masters degree.
It takes dedication. You have to carve out time, every day, no matter what, to do these classes. Just like real school. I watched a 50-minute lecture Monday through Saturday, then had HOURS of engineering homework. It was killer on top of a job. Granted, it was an insane amount of homework though which is par for the course w/ engineering studies.
Needles to say, I'm handling 9 credits of non-engineering FAR better than 6 credits of engineering.
I think the difficult thing for me at this point is just the idea of not being sure what's going on, as far as big things in life. I really love my job, but at this point, I feel it is a JOB as opposed to a CAREER. Hubby has a career, and if he were to have to move at any time, I want to go with him, obviously.
The two schools that I could "go to" in FL are not anywhere near I live, either.
I am a big geek, and would actually prefer to attend a brick & mortar for advanced studies...heck, if money were not an issue, I would have loved to go to school forever. Haha. =)
@ krissy
Do you know what kind of job you would like? I work in a law firm with a library, and I LOVE MY LIBRARIAN!!! That sounded crazy, but it is true.
The online aspect of the degree might actually be a huge help. We still have a physical library, but more and more we are transitioning to online resources. Having someone who can form a search, who understands how data is sifted, who can manage an internal online database search engine, awesome things. If you can find a way to make the online aspect of your degree a benefit, ie a sign of how tech savy you are, that would be great.
Good luck!
Drexel is a great school - but $$. If the curriculum is the same online though, I don't think it'd be a bad idea. I am biased though b/c i'm from philly ;)
Actually, getting an MLS degree online is really common! In fact, fewer and fewer schools are offering regular MLS programs because the online ones are so comparable. And Drexel has a great program! I am planning on getting an MLS degree, as well, so I've been researching schools. :) If you want to talk about it more, I'd be happy to share my research over PM!
@Mrs.Spring - thanks! I may have to take you up on that offer. =)
@MelissaBegins - lol, I have lots of Philly friends down here! Yay Philly...
@monita - yes! Right now I am doing research on what kind of librarian I'd want to be, as there are so many options, it seems. I know that I love to help people (that's a skill I realized in my current line of work) but would also like to use my brain more (something I don't do much in my job, haha!)
Krissy i think we are soul sistas - same situations! I need a career, big time. except you have pinned down what you want to study. I am sending you the good vibes from Jax that you can wake up soon and go to a career you love :)
I'd make sure you know what you want to do when you get out and the feasibility of it if you're goign to plunk down SUCH big bucks for your education.
I think i'd be crying about the 7K in tuition alone I spent last semester (now that I'm not doing the program) if it was my own money!
@MelissaBegins - you are so sweet. it's daunting to figure out what you want to do "when you grow up" in times like these, but it's so great to know we're not alone!!
I would seriously advice you to put a lot of energy and thought into the type of librarian you would like to be. At least in the legal context, good librarians are hard to come by, so we have a part-time one in addition to the main librarian, and are helping with her tuition. Our librarians have also always been able to negotiate awesome part-time schedules when they have families, because they have enough negotiating power.
Anyways, just wanted to say awesome to the future librarian and information specialists. You guys rock!
@ejs - definitely...money is money and i would hate to spend more on an education that gets me zilch. the good thing is that i finished my (original) degree with no student debt so at least i have that going for me =)
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I am in the process of considering going back to earn a graduate degree and was wondering...
- Does anyone currently attend/graduate from an online college?
- Was it for Bachelor's or advanced degree?
- Do you mind sharing what school? Positive/negative feedback?
I'd really appreciate it! Thanks in advance, bees =)