Hi-Power

"how can we be sure you didn't cheat?"

The exams are proctored.

letmeinnow

I just read this article this morning and I think it might interest you all. The writer interviewed employers, HR professionals and students to find out the answer to this question:

Do Employers Value Online Degrees? | myUsearch blog

OnlineDegree

These days with so many Online Colleges option it is not impossible to compare Online degrees with that of Traditional. Universities like: Bakers College Online, University of Phoenix, Westwood College, Capella University, Walden University are some of the mainstream online colleges. I would say Yes to Online Degrees.

Online Degree Talk

OnlineDegree

Yes with recognized universities offering Online Degree Programs, the employees do take these degrees as seriously as any regular college degree.

Online Degree Talk

Aquarius76

momof1, good for you! that is the way to do it

jatl80

Online schools are a great option for people pursuing degrees higher than high school. I'd really recommend doing your research. Visit edu.com and view a complete list of online schools and programs that will fit your needs and experience.

online degrees

saturday_bell

i go to university of phoenix and i went to a community college when i was 21 i find the online course load hard with lots of reading. i know college students at regular colleges say that online isent hard well it is. yes i only have to take two at a time but guess what there 9 weeks long, tons of reading 3 assignments a week perclass and one class compared to my college experience at 21 is like 2 or 3 in a on campus school. plus online you have to take more responsibility you have to depend on your self more, you dont have the option to work with your teacher or have study groups to help learn the info. i find it more difficult. but im for it. i think a online degree is just as acceptable as off line

cooldw57

Depends on the school name, if you have an online degree from USC, Columbia, Stanford or MIT, you'll get way more career opportunities than pure online schools like U of Phoenix. Plus, these top universities have alumni connections you could take advantage at, these connections you made through college/grad school are far more valuable than any class instructions.

MBA Grad 2009

I earned my BA from Baylor University, and my MBA from the University of Houston at Victoria. Both schools are AACSB-accredited, both schools have brick-n-mortar campuses and compete in NCAA sports. Guess which one was where I attended classes online?

My point is, you want to consider what the name of the school says, its accreditation and whether the courses are the same for online as for face-to-face classes. Never choose a school in hopes it will be easy or quick, always consider how potential employers or next-level schools will regard your degree, and be sure to consider if you will be proud of your degree ten years after the fact, or try to make up for it as if it were an embarrassment.

Speaking as a manager, I agree that many for-profit online schools like U/Phoenix and Devry may provide a solid education, but it is undeniable that they are not considered equal to established state and private schools. On the one hand, there are undoubtably cases where that bias is unfair to the graduates of such schools, but on the other it's a legal practice and you'd better be aware that it happens.

Online schools have a stigma mostly for younger students, since the assumption is that they could and should go to "regular" schools. When older students go to school, it is socially more acceptable to consider an online school due to family and work restrictions, especially when you go back to satisfy a more or less formality in obtaining a higher degree - you earn your promotion more on your resume than on your degree, and so the school's name is much less significant when you're over 30.

CollegeBrat

Finished up my degree at UOP and got a job right out of college in my field about a year ago. Didn't seem to have any negative effect. I did attend online and on campus which to me seems harder AND better for you as your instructors currently work in the fields they teach and the classrooms are smaller so you have more one-on-one time. It's also harder to cheat that way,

Haleiwa

Sorry for the long post. I fully agree that for-profit online degrees do not carry the same weight as established brick and mortar by itself. "By itself" being the key here. I will keep this solely about Bachelor's degrees. This is coming from someone that has both a state college Bachelor's degree in Sociology (totally useless out of college as far as gaining employment) and recently a for-profit, accredited, online BS Bus Admin degree (Walden).

If you are just out of high-school or do not have any "real world business" experience beyond low-level retail etc; then definitely go to a brick and mortar.

If you already have significant "real world business" experience or skills then go online. If you have other qualities to back it up, an online degree is a great addition to your resume. Also if you have kids, etc, another good reason to go online. Yes, it's expensive, but also "time is money". Brick and mortar school online courses are longer.

I am experienced in my field and fortunately have the added skills of being fluent in Mandarin and English, so I may not a very good example as I never had issues with employment. But this latest degree definitely allowed me to demand a raise and make companies compete for my services, even in the current economy.

Also, online for-profit school legitimacy will improve. The stigma exists, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn most graduates are already experienced professionals, very articulate, experienced, and very skilled. Such "late bloomer/late degree holder" adults in the workforce are going to increase very quickly in the coming years and compete with "brick and mortar" bachelor's graduates.

For lack of better terms, these late bloomers are desperate in this economy, will work extremely hard, and employers will start to see this. I'm 29 and not yet a parent, but I know many such late bloomer parents around 35~45 and they will walk across landmines to take that job from you. Espeically today. Once more of them show results, the more they will become legitimized among HR. Also, keep in mind, more people in HR will also come from online for profit schools.

jillibean24

I think each and every school and program are different. The best way to choose a school is usually based on the experiences of other students! I had a great experience at Lincoln College Online - I am a big Fan! Lincoln Online College is a great online school for associates and bachelor degree programs. They are a really good Online College!

Lincoln College Online