Does college online work?
Question:
Answer:
Congratulations on thinking about furthering your education, you won't regret it.
The state universities and community colleges will be the best and least expensive way to further your education online. Usually degrees obtained online from state universities and colleges will be no different than a degree granted to a student sitting in class. You probably won't get a scholarship, but financial aid is possible.
Stay away from the for-profits because of high cost. Some will be reasonable, but most, like University of Phoenix, overcharge.
If you are just starting your college education or have less than 60 semester credit hours, try your local community college first. They may have an online AA degree program. If they don't, try other community colleges in your state.
Once you have an AA degree, you can enroll in an online bachelor's degree completion program at one of the state universities. Many state universities now have online degrees. The following are some websites to get you started.
http://www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/...
http://www.peru.edu/offuttafb/degreeprog...
http://outreach.uwyo.edu/ocp/
http://www.distance.msstate.edu/...
http://www.distancelearning.ufl.edu/degr...
http://www.apu.apus.edu/index.htm...
http://www.online.uillinois.edu/...
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ode/collegeover...
All of the above are at least regionally accredited. A few, like University of Wyoming, have the additional program specific accreditations like AACSB.
When comparing tuition costs, you have to check if the school is on semester or quarter credit hours. To convert from quarter hours to semester hours, divide the tuition by 0.67. For example, if tuition is $180 per quarter credit hour, that is equal to $268.66 per semester credit hour.
When you choose a school, make sure it is at least regionally accredited. You can check accreditation at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.a... You can learn more about accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/i...
Also, just because a few people don't think of online education as valid, doesn't mean it isn't. Here are a few articles about online education for you.
http://owli.org/home/node/793
http://owli.org/home/node/509
http://owli.org/home/node/10
http://owli.org/home/node/783
http://owli.org/home/node/647
http://owli.org/home/node/1498
http://owli.org/home/node/1230
http://owli.org/home/node/249
Finally, there are a couple of forums online with members who have obtained their degrees online. Some have gone pretty far with their online degrees. The forums are free to join but you can read the forum without joining. You just won't be able to post. http://forums.degreeinfo.com and http://www.instantcertonline.com/forums...
Good luck
Most major universities are offering degree programs online. The thing is your diploma will most likely just say the school name and not mention anything about going online. So to answer your question it is equally accepted. Be careful though. Online learning isn't for everyone and really can be more difficult than the traditional setting.
Oh no, it's not more accepted, it's less accepted.
The only exception are online programs offered by real world universities, and niche online schools that cater to working professionals who need advanced degrees.
Don't waste your time with the Universities of Phoenixes of the world. They are more expensive than an online degree offered by private brick-and-mortar colleges, and worthless in the business world.
Back when I was hiring people for entry-level jobs, I would interview people with bachelors degrees from regional state schools. I would immediately file a UofP "grad" if there wasn't substantial job experience listed.
Edit: As much as I hate to pick on another Cubs fan... I had experience hiring college grads, and we did not believe that the University of Phoenix - or most online schools - were the same experience as attending a 4 year school. The academics are JUST NOT AS RIGOROUS. The only exceptions we made for degrees from non-brick-and-mortar schools were for those who got their bachelors while active members of the millitary. Asker is wondering about job prospects, and I'm giving you my former company's policies. In the interest of full-disclosure, I am now at a university, and their hiring policies when discussing online degrees are even bleaker. I am sorry that you paid money for a diploma that has absolutely no clout attached to it - you will really have to work to prove yourself in your career.
It doesn't matter as long at it's from an accredited university. I go to school online and it's not really any easier than going to class. Usually it's actually harder to study and learn on my own. But it is more convenient as I can do my work late at night when my son is asleep.
It depends what field of work you are going in to. Online degrees are probably sufficient for a lot of companies. By the way...the person that says she filed away U of P graduates, University of Phoenix has campus'. I actually took a few classes at one of the locations. You go to class. All the classes are only once a week for four hours, but it is not any more online than going to a regular school where a teacher may ask you to email an assignment.
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