What do you think about online degrees?

[FrugalTexan75]

I received my Master's degree from the University of North Texas doing all online classes. There were three classes where we had to come on campus for 2 - 3 days, but otherwise there was no campus time required. I personally loved it. During the time I was taking classes, I moved 3 times. If I would have had to factor in the costs of transportation to and from the university, I might not have been able to finish (or even start) the program. There were good and bad classes - just as there were good and bad classes in my undergraduate on-campus program.

You do have to be fairly organized and self-motivated. If you're taking more than one class, make sure to keep a calendar with ALL deadlines. It is easy to forget that pesky deadline for a one-credit class when you're bogged down with a ten-page term paper. (ask me how I know this ... luckily I was reminded in time ...)

[muexm]

I will finish my Master's degree in Healthcare Administration from an in class/online program through Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) this May. I spend about a week in class at the beginning and the end of each sememtr (taking finals and meeting my new professors for the upcoming semester). All of the coursework is completed online.

Honestly I believe that every person should ask themselves several questions before they select an online program:

- Is the price worth it: Online programs are typically a lot more expensive than even the best state schools. Accredited state schools in you area probably offer a distance learning solution form more than half the price of an online universities.

- Know yourself: Am I organized, self taught, and self motivated. Some people are self motivated, self taught, and organized enough to handle online classes and emails to professors. Other people are visual learners and need the classroom experience to learn

- Know your career field: One of the biggest disadvantages of online degrees is the lack of social intereactions with peers and industry leaders. Online University job placement services are a joke and in today's tough job market social interactions and networking are one of the most important aspects pf remaining employed. Online schools are great if you are trying to move up within the industry that you currently word and just need a piece of paper. Otherwise, I depending on you're career choice, I suggest you go to a state school and make some friends.

- Accredidation: I have a friend who paid a lot of money to graduate online form Concord law school only to find out that they are not acredited with the American Bar Association. Even if he passed his bar exam he still could not practice law in most states. Bottom line make sure the online school you select is credible with the top association in your career field.

- Respect: Most employeers respect degree from Duke or Iowa St. more than a degree from Pheonix Online.

- Talk to former students: Talk to former students who have been through the program. Make sure the program is worth you time, money, and effort.

[dczech09]

I think online classes are great to the extent that you actually learn the material. That is the most important thing.

However I found that my experiences in a 4 year "brick and mortar" university have helped me develop as a person, learn necessary skills for the work place, and learn to deal with people (a skill that everyone must learn). And when I say my experience in the 4 year university, I mean my experiences outside of the classroom.

With that said, doing classes online can definitely teach necessary skills such as time management and everything.

My only concern with an online degree is this:
If a recruiter has the choice between person A and person B.
Person A has a 4 year "brick and mortar" degree
Person B has a 4 year online degree
Both have the same education, both had good grades, both worked while in college, etc.
Who is the recruiter more likely to choose? Person A or Person B.
I would argue that Person A would come out ahead nine times out of ten.

That is just a hypothetical scenario. Ultimately, it may just come down to the people though.

[disneysteve]

I think online classes are great to the extent that you actually learn the material. That is the most important thing.

However I found that my experiences in a 4 year "brick and mortar" university have helped me develop as a person, learn necessary skills for the work place, and learn to deal with people (a skill that everyone must learn). And when I say my experience in the 4 year university, I mean my experiences outside of the classroom.

I tend to agree with an important caveat. It depends on the age and stage of life of the student we are discussing. For an 18-year-old who just graduated high school, I think the bricks and mortar school is the way to go. For an older person who has already been out in the world and is going back to complete a degree or pursue an advanced degree, the "life lessons" one learns by going off to college and living in a dorm on one's own for the first time are no longer relevant. That person is a more appropriate candidate for online study.

[dh1989]

I took traditional classes for my first two years of college (mixed with a few online classes), then did my last two years of undergrad. all online. I made sure the program was regionally accredited. I found it a lot easier to focus on working full time while taking classes online. The flexibility in being able to do classwork whenever and wherever is wonderful.

With that said, I am finishing grad. school with a traditional classroom program from a well known university. I think some mix between the two (online vs traditional) is ideal. You can get a good education at an affordable cost in a shorter span of time with an online program, but as has been said, there are certain skills best left to traditional classroom programs.

[hamburglar]

I think online education differs depending on the degree you get and what it's for. Online education will be the new medium, if its not already, for attaining knowledge. Evidence of this can be seen by the famous Khan Academy. I have started to use the resources on his website to study for my GMATs.

I used to work for an IT company in which online education was not frowned upon whereas when I worked in a bank, during my university days, online education was frowned upon. I think the university was called "Phoenix" and it was selling MBA's to busy executives.

In my experience, I think education of any sort is valuable as long as it is implemented and utilized. However, there people do care about "where" you get the degree and "how" you got it. The hiring managers sort of asses based on that.

[kork13]

I'm currently working on my master's degree, and it's entirely online. In my case, it's the only option, since I'm not living in the states right now. Although the school is accredited and rather well known in my field, it's not really a very impressive school or program, and personally I don't like the 100% online method. Besides the lack of personal interaction, it seems that half of the people (instructors included) don't really care about the quality of work, but simply that you do it.

I'll admit, it is partly a "check the box" degree, because holding a master's degree is absolutely expected (regardless of what in or where from), and not having one sadly has a significant impact on promotability... So I'm getting it done sooner rather than later. That said, I'm also actually interested in what I'm studying, so whatever. Besides, once I get back to the states and have an opportunity, I plan on doing a second master's in a different field, just so I can continue learning. However, I'm going to do it in person -- I don't think this 'online classes' thing is for me.

[BudgetSurgeon]

I thought it sounded fantastic. He was skeptical. Just curious if the board has any experience or insight we may have not considered.

My wife has nearly completed her Master's Degree online at Stony Brook University, and she has really enjoyed and benefited from it. She is getting her Master's for Education. The pluses are that you can log in and do the work from the convenience of your home, and basically have very flexible hours to do the coursework. The downside (for some people) is the lack of "live" interaction with professors and classmates. This will certainly bother some. I would suggest that you take 1 course first to see if it floats your boat, before committing to an entire degree or curriculum. It's very convenient, but it isn't for everyone.

[dh1989]

I used to work for an IT company in which online education was not frowned upon whereas when I worked in a bank, during my university days, online education was frowned upon. I think the university was called "Phoenix" and it was selling MBA's to busy executives.

I have a friend who took classes for an IT program through Univ. of Phoenix. His biggest complaint was that a lot of the classes focused on group assignments, meaning your grade could be tied to the efforts (or lack of) of others. The program I attended used a traditional class method with a lot of individual assignments and some group discussions. This is the format I've seen from traditional in-person programs that offer online classes. I don't know if Phoenix has changed but that is something to keep in mind for anyone looking at their programs.

[vips]

I have never tried online degree and terms like this. But I want to know more about it. What is process of Online learning and getting degree? How it will be helpful for making a career? If any one has done it then please share some information.