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Thread: Online College?

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    Veteran Member Lady's Avatar
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    Default Online College?

    Just curious what evreyone thinks. Do you think it is a waste of time and money?
    Do you think employers will care if you get your degree online or through a brick and mortar college?
    Anyone graduate from one? How easy was it for you to get a career started after school?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    Depends on where you go. I'm doing the whole online class thing, but I checked...double checked...triple checked the school to make sure it was the real deal. There are a ton of diploma mills that offer you a degree "in as little as one year," but there are also quite a few that are actually legit, too.

    The best thing I can tell you (from experience) is to do a lot of research on the schools keeping in mind your major. I struggled doing classes onsite (I think I left with a 2.8 GPA or so), but doing it online has given me a chance to do things more my way (less lecture type class, more book/project type work) and it's really showing (3.84 GPA).

    One word of caution, though. If you don't manage your time well then DO NOT do the online class thing. You really need to have a level head and know what you've got to do. From my experience with my classes, the work is just the same as what I had during my onsite classes. Don't think doing it online will be an easy-out option.

    Hope that helps! PM me if you want to know anything else, ok? Good luck!

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    Default Re: Online College?

    I do my studies online, through the distance ed branch of my university. I'm not sure I would trust an online-only college, but there's bound to be a college/university in the USA that you can enroll in and do all your studies online.

    I take courses through 3 different schools; one of them is in the next province over, another is a 5 hour drive away, and then one is in Vancouver. I've never had problems with any of them...distance ed is a huge and growing educational sector, and it's been around long enough that it tends to be well organized. I write all my exams in Vancouver, through reciprocal agreements with local schools.

    My degree won't state distance ed on it...it's the same as a regular degree, because the coursework is the same. Some schools do differentiate though, so you should check.

    I don't know if employers regard it as a lesser education...I don't see why they would; if anything, it indicates a high degree of independence and self-motivation.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    Quote Originally Posted by scarlett_vancouver View Post
    I do my studies online, through the distance ed branch of my university. I'm not sure I would trust an online-only college, but there's bound to be a college/university in the USA that you can enroll in and do all your studies online.
    I think that's one of the most important things to consider. I'd be wary of an online only college. Both of the ones I've gone with have an actual campus, and they're recognized for the government financial aid programs (you know, the FAFSA and all).

    My degree won't state distance ed on it...it's the same as a regular degree, because the coursework is the same. Some schools do differentiate though, so you should check.
    I would assume that most wouldn't say it was acquired online. As long as it's the same course of study I don't see why it would really matter.

    I don't know if employers regard it as a lesser education...I don't see why they would; if anything, it indicates a high degree of independence and self-motivation.
    Agreed! I feel like I've accomplished so much more doing classes online than I ever did sitting in a classroom with a bunch of punk idiots.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    Some online and trade schools are scams. Be vary wary. Also, some won't let you transfer credits if you decide you want to go to another school.

    I'm in agreement with Deni and Scarlett. Go through a legit university or community college and take classes offered online. I've done nearly half of my coursework from my couch! It give me the opportunity to take more classes at one time than a "real" class would. Nothing beats going to class at 2am!

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    Default Re: Online College?

    Quote Originally Posted by hardkandee View Post
    Nothing beats going to class at 2am!
    Right on!

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    Default Re: Online College?

    The most important thing is making sure it's an accredited college / university. I personally would only do it if it's with a land-based school. I take some online classes as well as 'regular' classes at a local community college. I'll be transferrig to a university and my biggest challange was making sure I'm picking classes that are transferrable to most universities. For example, if your degree requires 2 basic sciences, usually at least one of them requires a 'lab component' and in that case, they will not take online credits.

    Even if you have no plans to transfer credits, you should consider contacting a reputable university and inquiring about it. If they don't take the transfer, that should tell you something about the quality of the online degree you're pursuing.






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    Veteran Member Lady's Avatar
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    Default Re: Online College?

    Hmm .. thanks for the idea everyone. I want to get my masters degree and am thinking of different options.
    Does anyone know anything about AIU online. They have actual campuses in Florida and some other places. I checked its accredidation, it is accredited throught he same agency as Texas Tech and some others. Just thought I would ask if anyone knew anything else about it. Maybe one of you go there? Know someone? Anything at all would be helpful.
    Also, any other suggestions about a good online program. Like specific suggestions.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    University of Phoenix is a real, brick and mortar university that has real live students attending its campus classes. They also offer online degree courses. I have seen their campus for myself, and the boy took some grad courses there. His sister is getting her undergrad degree there. So yeah, it's a real college offering real degrees. I wouldn't hesitate to take their online courses. It is based here in Phoenix, but they have campuses in many states, including AR.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    ^ University of Phoenix is considered a diploma mill school up here...I've read a few expose articles.

    I don't know anything else about it, just sayin'.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bridgette View Post
    University of Phoenix is a real, brick and mortar university that has real live students attending its campus classes. They also offer online degree courses. I have seen their campus for myself, and the boy took some grad courses there. His sister is getting her undergrad degree there. So yeah, it's a real college offering real degrees. I wouldn't hesitate to take their online courses. It is based here in Phoenix, but they have campuses in many states, including AR. http://www.phoenix.edu
    Just to add, University of Phoenix is like the godfather of distance learning. My brother did Spanish through them in like 1990 because he knew he wouldn't be able to pass in a classroom. They were called "correspondence classes" at the time.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    Quote Originally Posted by scarlett_vancouver View Post
    ^ University of Phoenix is considered a diploma mill school up here...I've read a few expose articles.

    I don't know anything else about it, just sayin'.
    With the quantity of advertising, and the majority of places they advertise I do not know if I could trust the University of Phoenix's online learning. I've seen their ads in a lot of dodgy places. Also they seem to have adopted a full saturation marketing strategy, not really the best of strategies, if you want to be thought of as respectable. Still as long as the degree is accredited.

    As for others, personally I don't trust any learning where the credits are not transferable elsewhere. Of course the university's goal is to make money, so they have no interest in allowing you to transfer all of your credits. Yes I know some courses are very different between schools therefore, they are not easily transferable. However there is no profit, in you taking one class when you can take 5.
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    Default Re: Online College?

    Quote Originally Posted by scarlett_vancouver View Post
    ^ University of Phoenix is considered a diploma mill school up here...I've read a few expose articles.

    I don't know anything else about it, just sayin'.
    That's what they were considered in WA too when I lived in Seattle-they were all over the place. I went in one once just out of curiosity b/c I wasn't sure about my acceptance to UW at the time and they said an entrance requirement was that you have a job??? Not that I didn't have a job, mind you, but to get into a "university"?? City University was also considered a diploma mill-a friend got accepted into a MBA program there with an ITT degree!!! That would not happen in any other state....I would stick with distance learning courses either from a local community college or university and stay far, far away from online-only schools.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    Has anyone had any experience with Penn Foster?

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    Default Re: Online College?

    University of Phoenix may not have a fabulous rep in some places, but it is NOT an online-only school. As I said, they have brick and mortar (ie, REAL) campuses where you can take REAL classes. They are based here in Phoenix, and YES they are accredited, just like any other REAL university.

    I'm not trying to convince anyone to take their courses, but yall's info is apparently way off. They simply cater to working adults, rather than "traditional" college students, is all.

    I'm thinking the only reason they may have this "diploma mill" rep is because they advertise heavily. But that doesn't mean their degrees aren't real. It may mean that potential employers may not value an applicant whose degree comes from them as much, though. However I never heard of anyone in this area doubting their credentials...then again they are based here so we know they're real.


    I agree that best bet would be to take your online courses from a LOCAL university that offers them. This way your degree will be from the same college many other people attend in your area, and you'll have no problem with what your potential employers think.


    Regarding entrance requirements. I got into a fucken good private university without ever even taking any SAT or ACT. Because I was over age 24 (different requirements for older students) and I had also taken some college courses at a junior college and qualified as a transfer student with an incoming GPA of 4.0 Point is, entrance requirements don't necessarily mean anything

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    U. of Phoenix is perfectly legit, but the courses are more expensive than what you would pay at a brick and mortar public institution, (around $475 per credit hour). About 60% of their students are working professionals looking to further their education and many of those get at least partial tuition reimbursement from their employers.

    In any case, many traditional schools/community colleges offer pretty much the same thing these days, and often at a fraction of the cost that UOP will run you. You're better off looking there first, but as others have mentioned, check the credit transfer policy.
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    Default Re: Online College?

    DO NOT SIGN UP FOR INFO FROM AIU. They will call you CONSTANTLY - even after you ask to be taken from their lists. And I personally was not at all impressed with their literature either. They make me crazy. They've been calling me for over a year, about 4-5x a month, usually on Sat and Sun mornings.

    Univeristy of Phoenix IS -as stated- a real, land-based university. When I was vacationing in Phoenix and drove past it, I almost fell over! I thought they were online only. I guess they have locations all over the country, but I don't know much about their programs. I knew someone that was taking their online classes and he liked it, but never completed any of it. He's a slacker.






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    Default Re: Online College?

    Hello_Kitty .. that is really funny about themcalling you all the time. My hubby asked for more info about UOP and got the same thing. hehehe. They call ALL the time. Send e-mails. It is annoying.
    Rather then them callin gyou all the time ... do we know anything about AIU? Even if what some people think of UOP is not true, it apparently has a pretty bad rep for being a diploma mill.
    Does anyone know if AIU has that rep? Or other schools that may have that rep?
    BTW, I have a job interview at 2 pm on Thurday with JC Penney as a Sales Manager Trainee. ALthough I dont know for sure, I have done my homeowrk and they seem to pay pretty decent for the area, 32-35k. They are also known for having one of the best management training programs inthe industry. Any thoughts on this?

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    Default Re: Online College?

    Hope the interview went well. I don't have much actual info on AIU. I read through their whole catalog and I looked things up online and it just rubbed me the wrong way. I don't have any experience with any classes they offer or anything.






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    Default Re: Online College?

    Online classes that are not a part of a distance learning program at a "real" university are considered "bought diplomas" by most other schools. Accredited or not, I would not take a course like that. I can't imagine forking out time and money, just to be snubbed by other schools or potential employers.

    If you're going to do online, I would go the route that scarlett is

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    Default Re: Online College?

    ^^As much as I know that at least some of the online schools are legit and fully accredited, I agree. I would recommend doing the distance learning or online courses, whatever they're called these days, at a local regular university. That way your degree will look the same as anyone else's in your area.

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    Keep in mind though, with the "real" universities, they may have a limit on how many courses you could take through distance learning. I know I can't exceed 64 units towards my BFA.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    hmm .. The school in town really does not offer anything I want to take. Either nursing or electrical engineering. lol. It is a university but its a branch off the main one which is over an hour away!
    I really dont want to have to move for school. That is why I have put so much thought into online programs.

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    Default Re: Online College?

    I'm getting my masters degree through an accredited school that offers classes online, the harder ones that I need instruction for, I take at the campus, but for the most part, all of mine are done online and no, it is not a waste of money- just do your homework for the school. Us military wives do a lot of education via online, and its awesome- you can do your work whenever you want, but you need a lot of self discipline. My campus is 45 minutes away.

    Make sure your school is able to obtain federal funding- and you can also check through the department of Education for verification on which schools are legit and which ones aren't.

    University of Phoenix is a good one, so is George Fox University. I attend Park University- its based out of MO, but they have campuses all over the world, they deal mainly with military, but they also have civilians who attend also. If you are close to a military base, you can go to Park.edu and pull up a list of campuses for classes. They offer classes online, in person and CD ROM (mainly associate degrees for CD ROM). THey also have accelerated programs.


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    Default Re: Online College?

    I know someone who got her MBA from University of Phoenix online. It was legit and definitely took a lot of work just as if she went to actual classes locally. I don't know how much it helped her career. She has a good job but I don't know how much the MBA helped her.

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