mammasita

I have earned two degrees online, BSN and MSN in Ed. Without the availability of online learning I would not have been able to continue my education. I work fulltime and my hours don't agree with the traditional course schedules. Online has been a wonderful experience for me and I am now pursuing my Phd in Distance Education and plan to teach in an RN to BSN or MSN program in the short future. Although the University of Phoenix is expensive, it offered the best programs and instructors and I checked many schools before making my final decision. I wasn't looking for cheap or expensive, just competitive, accredited, with an above average reputation. The UOP is well worth the price. Since I have only taken three courses at Capella I will have to get back to you on how I like this facility, so far so good. Mammasita

ElliottsMom

I too earned my MSN (masters of science in nursing) predominantly online. The university is a state brick and mortar type, but their nursing program is a well known distance program dating back to the early 1980's. After years of holding classes every other week at hospital locations throughout the state, the natural outgrowth of their distance program became online. It is well respected in the nursing community.

After obtaining my BSN through this state univ., I took two years off and then started looking for MSN programs. Since I'd moved to a semi-rural area I really wanted an online program. My alma mater didn't have their MSN up and running online, so I looked at many other programs throughout the country. There were similarities in the core classes, but variances in the degree of specialization. Just before I signed up with a mid-western univ. I received a notice from my alma mater indicating they were enrolling students for the online MSN program. The reduced tuition (state univ.) and known quantity of that program drove my decision to enroll there.

I found the online classes to be of the same cailber or tougher than the "live" classes. Students interacted via online discussion forums, e-mail, and phone (when desired). What I disliked most was the group work since there is really no remedy for non-performing peers.

The distance formats for nursing BSN and MSN meet the needs of most RNs who work. The majority of the RNs in this country are educated in community college settings and receive an Associate degree. Many go out into the workforce for many years before heading back to college for a BSN. By then, they have many life and work experiences. They usually prefer a adult learning style and coursework relevent to their job. The distance formats accomplish these well, often allowing the nurse-student to set up their own preceptorships (internships) to accomplish clinical course objectives. It's so much more relevant for a Labor and Delivery nurse to be able to individualize her coursework to that specialty, rather than to take a traditional clinical course that would make her do clinical hours in an adult surgical unit.

On the other hand, there are some distance programs for LPNs to become RNs. Those are much more concerning to me. These lower division course are supposed to be ones in which basic sciences and basic nursing care is learned. I believe that close "live" supervision of that learning is prudent.

So, this is a very long post, but in summary I think the worth of the online degree depends on the school, the individual, and the field of study.

diode494

If you are going for graduate studies in engineering fields, DO NOT enroll an online program. If you have to, go at night and earn it part time.

I've seen so many managers at my current job throw resumes in the trash after seeing the 'online' graduate degree listed at the bottom of the resume. In fact, one resume got folded into a paper airplane and was passed around the office. Quite horrible.

Also, stay away from places like DeVry, University of Phoenix, Career America, and other lame rank-and-file universities. Like the poster above, you don't want to have to explain why you attended a university with a bad stigma associated with it.

The exception is for continuing education purposes in the same field AFTER you've earned the graduate degree, but don't desire to get a PHd.

--diode four nine four

mildred

diode494

Are you solely referring to diploma mill type of places? Or, are you referring to (totally legit) state schools which offer a handful of online degree options as well?

admisscouns

The best programs are those affiliated with existing colleges or universities, where the reputation of the college offsets any questions raised by the idea of an online program. Some colleges or universities will not differentiate in the diplomas granted or transcripts issued to online degree recipients.

If you will be put into in the position of having to defend the work you have done, then it is probably not an appropriate academic choice. It doesn't matter if you can logically defend what you have done ... right or wrong ... the very fact you are in that position means you have already lost.

mildred

You hit the nail on the head ^

For example...

I live in Memphis Tn and attend a private University here called Rhodes College on a full academic scholarship. I have a little working list of Universities to apply to for grad school. This list is rather realistic and humble and open.

One of the universities on my list is the University of Memphis. If I get lucky with obtaining nice employment upon graduation, I can go to the University of Memphis and earn an online masters.

Alright?

And, I will always know in the back of my mind, that the university is on the up and up and that I can go there at any time in order to use the library or even to take some "in class" classes in something nifty. Or, even attend a football game or something. None of the diploma mills have sports teams, eh? Can one say that if they attend the University of Phoenix? No. Can one say that if they attend a school which only exists online? No.

I wish there were laws against these diploma mills. Blessed shame. My worse case scenario is this University of Memphis. And, for a bit over $700.00 a grad class, it is a steal! I wish more folks would look into the Universities of their own city or state before picking a diploma mill.

Vincey37

You've got to be kidding me. Did you really just evaluate the quality of a university on whether they have a football program or not?

I've got a better idea. How about we decide whether a school is legitimate by if they are accredited? News flash, the University of Phoenix is institutionally accredited by one of the six regional agencies recognized by the Dept. of Education to do so. This is the exact same level of external oversight and approval the University of Memphis has.

Think of Phoenix what you want (and it's obvious some employers think it's not so great), but calling it a diploma mill is laughable. You can't use a diploma mill degree to get into an ABA law school, something a quick Google search will demonstrate many Phoenix grads have accomplished.

mildred

Vincey37

I would assume that everyone on this area of the site is aware of the accrediting agencies which are recognised by the US Dept. of Ed. Oh look, here is the US Dept. Of Ed. listing of accrediting agencies...


http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html



In my opinion, when it comes to online degree options, I think a quick and simple rule would be to see if the University has a legit brick and mortar campus.
Another really quick and easy rule of thumb is that a University which has sporting teams as well as such things as a fully functioning physical library are indicators of the University being on the up and up.

I have yet to see any long term studies which indicate that folks who graduate from Diploma Mills go on to such places as medical school and the like. I do know that one who attends a normal University does not have to make an attempt to justifying their mode of schooling through such a thing as a google search. Please note that I am not, at all, referring to you personally.


The only thing I know is that in the real world human resource managers are not ones for Diploma Mills. Until there is a legit long term study done on such a thing as graduates from Diploma Mills becoming easy hires in the work force and the like, I will stand by my opinion.

Please note that it is always when one has to defend their choice in University that the chickens come home to roost. For example, my idea of keeping the University of Memphis on my list of potential grad schools is: quick, easy, simple, and realistic. No employer would doubt the validity of what could very well be my future Graduate level coursework at that University. In no small part because such things as their sporting teams lend credence and validity to the fact that the University of Memphis is a real live g haul University.



Anyone else would just get in their studying somewhere normal and move on. And, it literally breaks my heart when folks do not see that there are more legit options for their higher education. I am not, Vincey37, making reference to you personally. Since you are new to this web site, I am assuming you will be able to take my response to your "post" in good humor.

Vincey37

Well mildred, you may want to rethink your choice of graduate school, because the University of Memphis shows one of the undergraduate schools represented in their current law school class is the DeVry Institute of Technology - which I'm sure you would classify as a diploma mill. Do you really want to be associated with a school that accepts diploma mill alumni for graduate study?

Since it appears you are attempting to cast doubt on my "post" by calling into question my time here on the forum, I should point out I have been a member here since 2005, far longer than you. Perhaps the difference is I do not create as many "posts" spreading misinformation such as calling legitimate schools "diploma mills"?

mildred

Vincey 77. As I have explained already, The University of Memphis is basically my worse case scenario grad school choice in the event that I find really nice employment in the city in which my current University is located. I am not going to defend my having a very realistic and open list of potential grad schools.


Now I would think it interesting as to why you feel as though you can assume what I would consider to be a diploma mill, but I can tell you are being argumentative just for the sake of being argumentative. I also would think it interesting to know why you are fixated on Law Schools, but I do not really care to bother with that.




Calling a spade a spade is not spreading misinformation. I am still waiting for the day that there will have been long term, longitudinal studies done on the future employment opportunities of folks who are graduates from diploma mills. Until that day comes, one can assume whatever they care to. That is fine by me, I am not a mean girl. Also, posting a hyperlink of the web site for the US Higher Ed accrediting agencies is not a bad thing at all and it does not constitute misinformation. One can look up the University of Phoenix and whatever the heck else from that site. It is not a bad thing to do.



I really could care less as to how long anyone has been a member of any web site at all. I am not a gentleman and am, therefore, not one for: "mine is larger than yours" type of arguments. I was just under the presumption that you did not read the rules of this site or something.


I notice, having read through your postings, that you are on the verge of graduating University. Perhaps the hostility you have decided to express towards me comes from your just wondering what it is you will be doing with regards to Graduate School? If it is, then that is alright. No big deal. We all feel like that when going through major life changing events and the like, man. It will be alright.

Now, what I am going to do is call things a day. You just try and have a nice day. I am sure things will work out alright for you, and I am sorry if I somehow rubbed you the wrong way.

Vincey37

Couple things -

I fail to see how it is possible to draw a distinction between Phoenix and DeVry. They are both for profit schools which operate on identical business models.

I don't think people who did actual work for a degree from one of those school s would appreciate you classifying them in the same category as those who bought their degree for $550 plus shipping. Trying to demonstrate that difference is not being argumentative for the sake of argument.

Before you question my law school data, where is yours? Right, you have none for your "degree mill" claim. And the reason I used law schools is that they are typically the only type of graduate program to post the undergraduate schools of their incoming classes.

Just because I'm arguing with you on the Internet doesn't mean I'm upset about something. I sure hope you aren't taking this personally.

Anyway, I can see there is no convincing you and people can make up their own minds after reading this thread. You have a nice day as well and best of luck with your studies.

admisscouns

University of Phoenix is the best of the online degree programs which is not tied to an already established college or university, which is why it achieved accreditation. However, it still raises questions in the eyes of some graduate schools and with some potential employers. That is a factor which needs to be considered when undertaking the degree program. Perhaps over time this perception will change but, for now, some folks may prefer to play it safe and pursue a program which they do not have to defend to others. Whether right or wrong, it is a legitimate perspective.

Dicey

I think the issue with these types of degrees, whether they are from GW or University of Phoenix, will always be, "how can we be sure you didn't cheat?" Even with the non-selective brick and mortar schools that offer classes mainly conducted online, I know someone who pays others to submit the web work in lieu of doing their own assignments or even partaking in the discussions. Even the most rigorous accredited online programs can be a sham in that way unless every single grade is based solely on regularly scheduled, stringently proctored exams. But in that scenario, what's the point of an online school anyway? State schools are like that already...

TooRichForAid

Columbia has online program for Engineering.

Hi-Power

overanxious mother, I think that's more a reflection on the University of Phoenix than on-line degrees in general. If she got an on-line degree from a brick and mortar school, nobody would even know that she did it entirely on-line.