Hi folks,

With the increasing number of people choosing the distance ed route for obvious reasons (timing, flexibility, etc.), is an online graduate degree something you would consider choosing?

And for clarity's sake, I'm talking about something that's accredited both regionally and nationally by the appropriate bodies (vs. a diploma mill like U of Phoenix, Capella, etc.). Take, for example, brick-and-mortar based schools that offer distance ed programs or seemingly reputable online graduate programs like Fielding Graduate University, etc.

Any thoughts? Considering one of these as a go forward plan...wondering if you would consider one, or the what the reputation is as determined by your employee. Thanks! I searched, but I may suck at it...couldn't find too much in the way of opinions.

Mike

1/8/2008 6:38:45 PM

University of Phoenix Online

1/8/2008 6:40:09 PM

Thanks for the bump. Anyone with something constructive to add? Thanks.

1/8/2008 9:14:12 PM

it would depend on the field and what your motivation is, but i would always go with a program from a brick-and-mortar school

[Edited on January 8, 2008 at 9:23 PM. Reason : &]

1/8/2008 9:22:11 PM

An online degree isn't a real degree.

1/8/2008 9:25:51 PM

^ That's not what the research finds. You should read up before making those statements

Fykal: noted, thx.

1/8/2008 9:30:37 PM

Quote :

"it would depend on the field and what your motivation is, but i would always go with a program from a brick-and-mortar school"

1/8/2008 9:37:07 PM

I'm currently enrolled in an online master's program through the University of Maryland. When I graduate I will have a M.Eng. with nothing to indicate that the program was online. A lot of reputable schools offer nontraditional course offerings. I assure you, the program is every bit as rigorous as one would expect from a top tier engineering school. As an added bonus, the online environment gives you the opportunity to make broader professional contacts than the traditional classroom environment. My company is all for online and extension-based education and like many companies even subsidizes it. In my opinion, online education is a great opportunity for career growth without having to put your career on hold.

1/11/2008 8:37:50 PM

Online degrees are becoming more mainstream, but there is still a significant stigma against only-online schools such as University of Phoenix.

1/12/2008 12:50:11 AM

^ The Thunderbird and others like them bring that stigma upon themselves.

They are for profit and there is no quality control. Anyone with $ can attend. There are no entrance requirements beyond a HS diploma or a GED. Further, it's well understood that graduates of those type of schools are not put through the same academic rigors of traditional brick and mortar institutions.

1/12/2008 11:52:29 AM

I would think there is still the stigma attached to an online program, but I asked my boss about this and he said 1) it still shows effort on someone's part by going to get the advanced degree, no matter where they got it from and 2) he puts more weight in what they gained from the degree and how they grew from it rather than where it's from.

I work at a pretty high-caliber consulting firm and though the job application says "degree required" I work with many amazing consultants who have never pursued higher education. Kinda an eye-opener for me, but in my business that 4-year degree doesn't let you bill the client at a higher rate so it doesn't really matter for promotion or salary. Sure, I started 10% higher than some of my coworkers, but after a few years that all fades away...

1/13/2008 2:35:46 PM

If you're already employed in your field and have built contacts that way, an online program makes sense (as long as it's associated with a well-known b&m school, yadda yadda). However, if you're switching careers or are a recent grad, I think the traditional route would make more sense, since you will have better access to the school's career & placement resources, and will have a built-in network of your classmates.

I say this as someone who's been finishing my degree at State the past few years. My first 5 semesters were part-time distance ed, my next semester was full-time, half on campus, and then I started full-time on campus this past fall. Even though I enjoyed the flexibility of the distance ed courses, and still feel like they fit both my lifestyle and learning preferences better, there is not a substitute for being on campus, seeing the same people every day, interacting in real time with your professors, and just building a shared experience with the people who will become your first network when you get out of school. You will also have more access to the program's job placement resources.

1/13/2008 3:00:05 PM

Just remembered this thread; thanks for the feedback, guys/gals

1/30/2008 1:18:24 PM

Quote :

"^ That's not what the research finds."

...and you pal, should know that research can be proven to show anything.

my .02 c. > brick and mortar

1/30/2008 1:20:17 PM

i don't know. if all you're doing is taking classes, then that is one thing. but if you intend on doing research with someone at the institution from which you're doing distance education, being down the hall from that person is far more advantageous than having to email/call the person. also, if you're entering into a really competitive program i would question the wisdom of not dedicating all your time to that program. grad school classes can be very difficult in some fields and require as much time commitment as a full-time job in many cases.

1/30/2008 1:37:14 PM