Online Universities

**Clonehomer** · 06-04-2009, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by j4state

I am debating the same thing for an MBA. Have it narrowed to ISU, Drake and UoP. ISU seems like the easy choice but it would be the largest commitment as far as time and energy.

UoP has a lot of advantages such as flexibility and less credits required. You take one class at a time and are on full-time status which can help with financial aid.

On the other side, there's the reputation thing. I don't know what the best route for me is yet.

I know that ISU has really improved the distance learning over the past few years. In my dynamics class this summer they are recording the lectures showing the professor and the smart board side by side. Its pretty cool what they are doing. I don't know if that's the same thing that they do for the MBA classes, but it's a lot more than just reading chapters in a book and answering questions about it.

**GeronimusClone** · 06-04-2009, 08:08 AM

Soon we all will be able to work, go to school and date without leaving home. I love the internets!

**cycloneryan** · 06-04-2009, 08:10 AM

I got my MBA from ISU but I just went back to school full time. If you want to keep working I have a friend that just started her MBA program through ISU, working on it part time at night and she seems to like it. Or like it as much as you can like going back to school.

**GoCubsGo** · 06-04-2009, 08:16 AM

I have a relative that works in HR that has been instructed by his employer to completely disregard degrees from the University of Phoenix in making hiring decisions.

**egami** · 06-04-2009, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by GoCubsGo

I have a relative that works in HR that has been instructed by his employer to completely disregard degrees from the University of Phoenix in making hiring decisions.

I've heard this as well...one guy said his company wouldn't accept Wal-Mart caliber degrees.

**GoCy** · 06-04-2009, 08:28 AM

I would stick with a brick-and-mortar university. Some employers have a stigma about distance education programs, as they often think of the "correspondence" degrees that used to be popular. It isn't just about accreditation, but contrary to what some have said, the reputation is also important. It is extremely important thing is how the employer perceives the quality of your education. One of the benefits of getting the degree from a brick-and-mortar university is a degree obtained via on-campus classes is indistinguishable from one obtained from internet classes.

I did my masters of science in engineering degree with 1/2 of my credits through ISU's distance education. For me, there was no difference in the quality of education between taking the class via distance ed or in classroom. But I am also the type of student that does not require a lot of interaction between myself and the instructor. If you do like to have a lot of in-class discussions or ask a lot of questions in class, you probably will not get as much out of a distance ed class.

**isucyfan** · 06-04-2009, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by GoCy

I would stick with a brick-and-mortar university. Some employers have a stigma about distance education programs, as they often think of the "correspondence" degrees that used to be popular. It isn't just about accreditation, but contrary to what some have said, the reputation is also important. It is extremely important thing is how the employer perceives the quality of your education. One of the benefits of getting the degree from a brick-and-mortar university is a degree obtained via on-campus classes is indistinguishable from one obtained from internet classes.

I did my masters of science in engineering degree with 1/2 of my credits through ISU's distance education. For me, there was no difference in the quality of education between taking the class via distance ed or in classroom. But I am also the type of student that does not require a lot of interaction between myself and the instructor. If you do like to have a lot of in-class discussions or ask a lot of questions in class, you probably will not get as much out of a distance ed class.

I also think that one should factor in the field in which you are studying. If it's a tech-related field, an online degree can actually be a positive to employers.

**egami** · 06-04-2009, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

I also think that one should factor in the field in which you are studying. If it's a tech-related field, an online degree can actually be a positive to employers.

I wouldn't personally make that assumption. I think it's going to be more of a hit and miss thing based on company.

I know we aren't really interested in them where I work, and I work in IT.

**isucyfan** · 06-04-2009, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by egami

I wouldn't personally make that assumption. I think it's going to be more of a hit and miss thing based on company.

I know we aren't really interested in them where I work, and I work in IT.

I know that in my field, Library and Information Science, they are looked upon more favorably, since much of that field is moving online.

**egami** · 06-04-2009, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

I know that in my field, Library and Information Science, they are looked upon more favorably, since much of that field is moving online.

I'd be curious as to why because ultimately what matters is the quality of the degree. I don't see how the mechanism for obtaining that degree being online versus traditional hoofing it on a university is necessarily preferred.

Frankly, I don't have an opinion on University of Phoenix's quality. I don't know, don't care, but I'd be hesitant to spend money with them versus taking online classes with traditional schools that are online now just knowing what I've heard about them is "generally" not wowing anyone.

**isucyfan** · 06-04-2009, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by egami

I'd be curious as to why because ultimately what matters is the quality of the degree. I don't see how they mechanism for obtaining that degree being online versus traditional hoofing it on a university is necessarily preferred.

Just because, in a field that may be virtual in the coming years, they want to know that you are comfortable in a virtual environment. If you get an entirely online degree, employers can be assured you are thoroughly comfortable with technology.

**egami** · 06-04-2009, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

Just because, in a field that may be virtual in the coming years, they want to know that you are comfortable in a virtual environment. If you get an entirely online degree, employers can be assured you are thoroughly comfortable with technology.

And they may have cheated their A** off too? I know that is one of the big concerns with people I have talked to.

I don't know, I still think that seems odd that when choosing between equal candidates that a University of Phoenix degree would carry more weight by virtue of medium.

**4VR4CY** · 06-04-2009, 09:03 AM

ISU has a great program at night in Des Moines. I started part time down there and then went full time my last year due to a layoff situation. You can go to free information sessions where you get a meal... why not talk to someone about it?

Go here: MBA Informational Sessions

**isucyfan** · 06-04-2009, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by egami

And they may have cheated their A** off too? I know that is one of the big concerns with people I have talked to.

I don't know, I still think that seems odd that when choosing between equal candidates that a University of Phoenix degree would carry more weight by virtue of medium.

I'm not talking about the Univ. of Phoenix. I'm talking about an accredited program in my field.

Plus, you can cheat just as easy online as offline. I don't think that's relevant. I've completed about 3/4 of the program online, and it's been very rigorous.

**cyclone13** · 06-04-2009, 09:10 AM

I would look whether (1) the program is accredited and (2) the degree is recognized by the state you intend to work in/reside/where you look for jobs.
And like the others have said in this thread: you might want to consider the stigma of online universities. It's going to be different from the degree from ISU or any other universities.