Online degrees

[Cyclonepride]

Just wondering if anyone here has gotten a degree online? I'm considering going for an IT or computer programming degree. Just browsing the options and what I'm seeing seems to be to stay away from the strictly online places and go for a school that has a physical campus with an all online component. Thoughts?

 

[Acylum]

What you said.

 

[Wesley]

Just wondering if anyone here has gotten a degree online? I'm considering going for an IT or computer programming degree. Just browsing the options and what I'm seeing seems to be to stay away from the strictly online places and go for a school that has a physical campus with an all online component. Thoughts?

Not sure where pineapple under the sea is located, but check out Bellevue University in Bellevue, Ne. Lots of experience used and weekend classes as well as on line.

http://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/bachelor/information-technology-bs/

 

[BikeSkiClone]

The graduate program I'm attending also has an online certificate option for my field (not the full Master's degree), and all of their courses have the same assignments and readings as my on-campus courses, which I think helps with validity. There is one school that has a full online Master's degree in my field, but it also matches their on-campus course requirements re: readings, assignments, exams, etc.

Phoenix and the like? Any for-profit school? No.

 

[Angie]

I believe Univ of Maryland has entirely online programs.

 

[Judoka]

I believe Univ of Maryland has entirely online programs.

So does Iowa State, just about every big school does anymore. I did a Masters online through ISU from 2007-2009 and never had to step on campus (I did for games and stuff but only because I did my undergrad at ISU so chose to come back for non class related stuff). The experience was great and I can only assume it has gotten better in the last six years.

Seconding don't even look at schools without a physical campus. There's very little stigma attached to an online degree from a well known university. There is still a lot of stigma attached to random online schools (no matter what graduates of those schools tell you otherwise).

 

[Hiltonmagk]

I have an IT degree from Western Governors University. They have several different tracks. They base a lot of their classes on certifications. So instead of taking a class for credit you study for a certification and once you pass it you get not only that cert but the credit for the class as well. It's also pretty cheap and you can go at your own pace. Not all classes are certs but a lot of them are. Only caution I'd say is that you need to be self motivated for it to work. They won't hold your hand but will give you the resources you need to pass. Most of the time they will give you one of those cert courses that have a 90% or higher pass rate. Way cheaper than Phoenix and you not only get your degree but 7-9 certs as well. www.wgu.edu

 

[Stewo]

I'd steer clear of for profit schools. They're usually the ones you see getting into trouble for stupid crap. Of course, if you want a job in the government, then do whatever. They don't care.

 

[Deanster]

I thought all Cyclone fans went to Iowa State?

 

[Cyclonepride]

I have an IT degree from Western Governors University. They have several different tracks. They base a lot of their classes on certifications. So instead of taking a class for credit you study for a certification and once you pass it you get not only that cert but the credit for the class as well. It's also pretty cheap and you can go at your own pace. Not all classes are certs but a lot of them are. Only caution I'd say is that you need to be self motivated for it to work. They won't hold your hand but will give you the resources you need to pass. Most of the time they will give you one of those cert courses that have a 90% or higher pass rate. Way cheaper than Phoenix and you not only get your degree but 7-9 certs as well. www.wgu.edu

I checked them out. Is that the one where you can take classes as fast as you can pass them, and the charge is based on the overall time it takes?

 

[CycloneErik]

I have an IT degree from Western Governors University. They have several different tracks. They base a lot of their classes on certifications. So instead of taking a class for credit you study for a certification and once you pass it you get not only that cert but the credit for the class as well. It's also pretty cheap and you can go at your own pace. Not all classes are certs but a lot of them are. Only caution I'd say is that you need to be self motivated for it to work. They won't hold your hand but will give you the resources you need to pass. Most of the time they will give you one of those cert courses that have a 90% or higher pass rate. Way cheaper than Phoenix and you not only get your degree but 7-9 certs as well. www.wgu.edu

Sounds interesting, but it raises my paranoia level right away. It sounds like there could be a shady potential there.

 

[Judoka]

Sounds interesting, but it raises my paranoia level right away. It sounds like there could be a shady potential there.

WGU is regionally accredited. So likely not as bad as most purely online schools. But a quick google search still makes it look like a degree mill.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Sounds interesting, but it raises my paranoia level right away. It sounds like there could be a shady potential there.

From their website, it sounds like some of that is geared toward people who already have skills in certain areas. If you have a class that is all repetition to you, you can breeze through it at your own pace rather than on an artificial time clock (that is my impression anyway).

 

[CYvilEng]

There is still a lot of stigma attached to random online schools (no matter what graduates of those schools tell you otherwise).

Also, the stigma is attached no matter what the salesman tells you when they try to recruit you to purchase their product.

 

[CycloneErik]

From their website, it sounds like some of that is geared toward people who already have skills in certain areas. If you have a class that is all repetition to you, you can breeze through it at your own pace rather than on an artificial time clock (that is my impression anyway).

If I were selling you on it, that's what I would say on my own website as well.
I don't know the school. I'd just do a lot of digging on sources that aren't them before committing. Essentially, what Judoka was just doing in the post above yours.

 

[Judoka]

From their website, it sounds like some of that is geared toward people who already have skills in certain areas. If you have a class that is all repetition to you, you can breeze through it at your own pace rather than on an artificial time clock (that is my impression anyway).

"Giving credit for real world experience", even indirectly, is generally a big red flag. Knowing how to do something is totally different from understanding why you do something. Its the difference between a technician and and engineer. Or probably more applicably to the OP, the difference between an AA degree and a BS degree.

 

[Cyclonepride]

If I were selling you on it, that's what I would say on my own website as well.
I don't know the school. I'd just do a lot of digging on sources that aren't them before committing. Essentially, what Judoka was just doing in the post above yours.

Sure. I've been digging and they seem to show up as a best value on many sites, but who knows how many of those sites are legit. I'm definitely going to research my options in depth before I commit.

 

[SCNCY]

Maybe not an online degree, but if you are just looking to expand your skills why not look at a community college?

 

[Cyclonepride]

Maybe not an online degree, but if you are just looking to expand your skills why not look at a community college?

That's an option that I am considering too. Sounds like it is cheaper to do it that way, but time is a huge consideration for me, and online has a huge draw for me in terms of flexibility.

 

[isufbcurt]

I know a great lawyer, Jimmy, who is originally from Cicero, IL but has since moved to Albuquerque, NM who got his law degree online from University of American Samoa.

In fact, he's such a good lawyer there is a TV show about him.