Online Universities

[PM_Mama00]

So, I'm deciding I need to do something with my life. My big problem is that I work 30 miles away from home, so going to actual class would be difficult. I need something on my own time.

Has anyone obtained a degree from an online university? I already have my Bachelors in PR but that did nothing for me. I'm unhappy in my current job and I need something else. Suggestions?

[summer_gphib]

I'm doing my Masters at Webster, and they have a lot of online programs. My program isn't online, but I can choose online classes when I want them. They are fully accredited and are a brick and mortar school. I'm very wary of schools that are online only or that have weak accreditation. Webster is well known in the St. Louis community. The classes aren't nearly as expensive as my husband's were at Florida Tech-- but to be fair I'm getting a huge discount because I'm taking them on a military base (although neither of us have a military affiliation.) You might want to check it out. http://www.webster.edu

[Kevin]

Don't even consider a for-profit online university. I don't care if they're accredited. They have a high number of defaults on their student loans. So much so that the administration is looking at cutting off some of these schools' access to FAFSA, which would in turn kill the school making proving you have a degree probably problematic. They're also a lot more expensive.

I'd look into your public state schools first. You could probably get a much cheaper education with a recognizable name. Here in Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma has entire degree programs online. I believe the University of Alabama does as well (at least I heard they offered an entirely online LLM [Masters in Law], so they probably have other programs as well).

[KDCat]

Kevin is right. The quality of education from the for-profit schools is questionable.

Many state schools are running on-line degree programs now. I know University of Illinois has one and there are lots of others.

Good luck!

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Don't even consider a for-profit online university. I don't care if they're accredited. They have a high number of defaults on their student loans. So much so that the administration is looking at cutting off some of these schools' access to FAFSA, which would in turn kill the school making proving you have a degree probably problematic. They're also a lot more expensive.

Don't forget low graduation rates. Last time I checked, my school was at 36%.

[alum]

I work for a regionally-accredited university that has a traditional century-old campus, about 80 satellite campuses around the world, and online programs as well. Our school will not let professors teach online until they have taught at least a year in the classroom. The university is very diligent to ensure learning objectives and continuity outcomes are the same for each section whether it is taught traditionally over a full semester at the main campus or during an accelerated term here in DC or our overseas campuses or online delivery.

The satellite campuses in my area have classes on evenings and weekends, thus appealing to a working adult about 35-45 on average. When our classes are full, some students will opt for the online format. Unfortunately many students who perform quite well in the classroom do NOT do well in an online setting. It's not so much not knowing the technology, it seems to be an oral vs. written method of synthesizing information.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

Don't forget low graduation rates. Last time I checked, my school was at 36%.

I think that has a lot to do with the majority of students who tend to be attracted to a for-profit institution. Many are bright and motivated, but they have a number of factors stacked against them: first generation college student, working concurrently with school, poor advisement because the only ones in their peer group going to school, and low standards for admission. Some for-profit schools don't require standardized tests scores like the GMAT for admission, so they are lowering the bar whereas those exams might have otherwise weeded or discouraged people who aren't well-suited to the rigors of those programs. Generally, the easier it is to get in, the harder it will be to stay in.

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I think that has a lot to do with the majority of students who tend to be attracted to a for-profit institution. Many are bright and motivated, but they have a number of factors stacked against them: first generation college student, working concurrently with school, poor advisement because the only ones in their peer group going to school, and low standards for admission. Some for-profit schools don't require standardized tests scores like the GMAT for admission, so they are lowering the bar whereas those exams might have otherwise weeded or discouraged people who aren't well-suited to the rigors of those programs. Generally, the easier it is to get in, the harder it will be to stay in.

Nail-->head

[PhoenixAzul]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I think that has a lot to do with the majority of students who tend to be attracted to a for-profit institution. Many are bright and motivated, but they have a number of factors stacked against them: first generation college student, working concurrently with school, poor advisement because the only ones in their peer group going to school, and low standards for admission. Some for-profit schools don't require standardized tests scores like the GMAT for admission, so they are lowering the bar whereas those exams might have otherwise weeded or discouraged people who aren't well-suited to the rigors of those programs. Generally, the easier it is to get in, the harder it will be to stay in.

This.

I went to what we could safely class as an "inner city" public high school in a major metro area. We constantly (as in two to three times a year) had hour long free info-mercial style presentations, in class, only from for-profit institutions. The reps went on and on about how traditional colleges "waste your time" with classes you don't need.

It annoyed me then, and it infuriates me now. Traditional colleges got a table in the library, no announcements of their presence, and no hall passes to go and talk to them.

What sort of message are we sending to those students? The message I got as a 17/18 year old was "You're not bright enough for real college" or "This is your only option" or "They'll never accept you". Despite the fact that a number of my peers went to Northwestern, the Air Force Academy, Gonzaga, Pitt, PSU, and a slew of other great SLACs...we only were able to do that by doing our own research, no advising help (Advisers were always available to send you to the military recruiters though.)

Ugh. Sorry. Major thread hijack.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

This.

I went to what we could safely class as an "inner city" public high school in a major metro area. We constantly (as in two to three times a year) had hour long free info-mercial style presentations, in class, only from for-profit institutions. The reps went on and on about how traditional colleges "waste your time" with classes you don't need.

It annoyed me then, and it infuriates me now. Traditional colleges got a table in the library, no announcements of their presence, and no hall passes to go and talk to them.

What sort of message are we sending to those students? The message I got as a 17/18 year old was "You're not bright enough for real college" or "This is your only option" or "They'll never accept you". Despite the fact that a number of my peers went to Northwestern, the Air Force Academy, Gonzaga, Pitt, PSU, and a slew of other great SLACs...we only were able to do that by doing our own research, no advising help (Advisers were always available to send you to the military recruiters though.)

Ugh. Sorry. Major thread hijack.

Wow. Take a bow, PPS. That's hideous. I hope they've stopped that in light of all the shadiness that's been brought to the forefront about these schools.

[*winter*]

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

This.

I went to what we could safely class as an "inner city" public high school in a major metro area. We constantly (as in two to three times a year) had hour long free info-mercial style presentations, in class, only from for-profit institutions. The reps went on and on about how traditional colleges "waste your time" with classes you don't need.

It annoyed me then, and it infuriates me now. Traditional colleges got a table in the library, no announcements of their presence, and no hall passes to go and talk to them.

What sort of message are we sending to those students? The message I got as a 17/18 year old was "You're not bright enough for real college" or "This is your only option" or "They'll never accept you". Despite the fact that a number of my peers went to Northwestern, the Air Force Academy, Gonzaga, Pitt, PSU, and a slew of other great SLACs...we only were able to do that by doing our own research, no advising help (Advisers were always available to send you to the military recruiters though.)

Ugh. Sorry. Major thread hijack.

Word! And...she's from Pittsburgh

These schools are notorious for preying on the poor. Just call off work one day and watch all the commercials on daytime TV. Get your Associates for only $40,000 and enter the workforce making $9/hr.

/hijack

[DubaiSis]

A lot of well-known universities offer these programs. And since you're not tied to geography, I would definitely shop them for price.

But back to the degree you have... you should consider your degree a blank slate that allows you to paint in the picture. My Journalism degree felt like a HUGE waste of time when I was in my 20's, but I love my job now (travel agent) and my ability to write helps it in innumerable ways. I almost always end up rewriting professional flyers the cruise lines and tour operators design for ease of use because they are bland. A PR degree seems like a similar, hard to get a job specifically in the field kind of degree, but awesome as you use it as a background for something else. Look for the crappy job in a field you'd like to move into, and then maybe go back to school. I believe I've heard Suze Orman say going back to school for another degree in order to make more money isn't a good investment.

[*winter*]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I believe I've heard Suze Orman say going back to school for another degree in order to make more money isn't a good investment.

Meh. Suze...she bugs me. And it really depends on what you go to school for. If I go back to school for nursing, I CAN make more money than I do now...more, in fact, than I currently make with two jobs. The investment will be about 8k. Not a bad investment, considering most people spend 2-3x that on a car that will be value-less in 10 years.

For profit schools are a scam, basically. Check out the Frontline PBS site for some info. "Educating Sergeant Panske" is one episode on there that deals with the issue; there are others as well.

[Xidelt]

I got my masters from Georgia Southern University and it was mostly online. I liked it because I was taught by actual professors who teach at the university and had access to all of the university's resources. Georgia has tons of degrees and programs offered online through the state university system. Because of all the choices, it really baffles my mind why people continue to choose for-profit schools (well, except perhaps for the lowered admission standards of the for-profit schools. But that's a whole other issue!) Check out your state university system for online or cohort programs. You might be surprised by all of the options!

[ADPiEE]

I received my Masters in Education from Lamar University, a state school in Texas that offers 100% online Masters programs. I never thought I'd be able to earn my Master's because I teach and have a family but this was the perfect solution. It was very reading and writing intensive but worth it.

I agree you should avoid the for profit schools because there are so many state schools that offer online programs now that are cheaper (and the school is more reputable). Good luck!