Online degrees - which are reputable?

[pelathais]

My wife is completing an MBA from the University local to our state. She is doing so almost exclusively online. It's a pretty huge work load, too. But she'll have an MBA from a respected "brick and mortar" school that will be worth $100,000's.

I'd check out "traditional" schools first. The degree is more respected and the learning environment is generally the best. Most have at least some online courses if not complete degree programs available online.

[noeticknight]

Originally Posted by Socialite

That's a good advantage to have. The networking, conversations, etc are invaluable IMO.

They really are. I was forced to do an online last semester. It ended up being really dry and boring (finance, so wasn't expecting fun times). I'll try to finish out with the in-class sessions for the remainder. I'm really weird though and enjoy listening to lectures and speeches. Maybe it comes from being raised on a Pentecostal church pew!

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I have never experienced any peer to peer interaction about any topics relating to the subject matter being studied in the class in an in person classroom. I have in all of my online classes. Some professors are better at facilitating it online than others, maybe it's that way in person too and I just didn't find a professor who was good at that before I gave up on classroom experiences.

As for learning styles, I am a very visual learner. I do not remember things I hear but if I read it, I do remember it. I have tried to make classroom experiences work. I have taken quite a few credits of in person classes. Every one of them was a frustrating waste of my time (the classroom time, not the classes themselves). While I did manage to complete the courses with decent grades, I did not get out of those classes what I get out of the online classes I am taking now. The online interaction with my classmates and my professors far exceeds anything I ever experienced in the classroom.

Fuller does not have an entirely online degree program.
Neither does Gordon-Conwell.
I know some of the AOG schools do offer MDiv or master of theology degrees fully online.

Never peer-to-peer? That definitely hasn't been my experience.

I haven't hardly interacted with students at all since I started online. Of course the required posting minimum, but that's surface level and hasn't really been anything memorable.

Classroom for me involved group interaction, professor-to-class interaction (loved that), open dialogue on subjects discussed, etc... I don't have that online. It's one dimensional to me.

But if it's working for you, that's all that counts. While Gordon Conwell and Fuller don't offer ALL the classes online, many of them are. And the one's that aren't can usually be supplemented at a community college, etc... At least thats what I gathered when "sizing them up."

Western Seminary seems to have solid curriculum as well, but that's upper-level, graduate courses only. At that level, I think being in-person should be preferred. It's mostly theory, much more in-depth and analytical than undergrad.

[noeticknight]

Originally Posted by pelathais

My wife is completing an MBA from the University local to our state. She is doing so almost exclusively online. It's a pretty huge work load, too. But she'll have an MBA from a respected "brick and mortar" school that will be worth $100,000's.

I'd check out "traditional" schools first. The degree is more respected and the learning environment is generally the best. Most have at least some online courses if not complete degree programs available online.

Congrats for her and your family pel!

My gut tells me your analysis is correct about the traditional schools first. If you're going to invest x amount of dollars in a degree, you might as well put that money in an institution that's gonna give you the most ROI.

AQP, if you're planning on finishing at the undergraduate level, get the best bang for you buck. It will pay dividends in the future when transitioning between jobs or applying for that promotion. It may even play a part in the application process should you pursue a more advanced degree. Plus, you can root for that Division 1 come March Madness.

[Orthodoxy]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Which colleges are considered reputable for obtaining a degree? I want to start working towards a bachelor's degree, but due to my schedule it needs to be online.

I will probably be going for a business/accounting degree since that will benefit me the most where I work.

AQP, check out the colleges affectionately known as "The Big Three" who offer fully-accredited distance learning degrees:

- Thomas Edison State College
- Charter Oak State College
- Excelsior College

I just completed my BS from Thomas Edison through distance learning. These colleges are regionally-accredited, which is the highest form of accreditation available.

Also, check out www.degreeforum.net. It has a ton of information to help you get started.

[hawks-cry]

Thomas Edison State College
- Charter Oak State College
- Excelsior College

..yes these are considered to be excellent. I, myself received my BA (in '91) from the State University of New York (through their at-a-distance learning facility of Empire State College). I did it completely at-a-distance. I believe they offer Human Services,...and Business degrees (RA accredited).
I am now going for my Masters degree in Religious Studies through Nations University (NationsU). It is only $100 a year (for now) and it is loosely associated with the Chrurch of Christ/Christian Churches (but you DON'T have to be affiliated with the organizations in any way)! The college was started by several retired professors from other highly respected private colleges. NationsU is actively seeking accredidation with the DETC (a national accrediting body recognized by the USDE). It's very rigorous in it's studies, however. BTW,..NationsU's credits have been accepted by Liberty University.

EDIT: also check over on the http://forums.degreeinfo.com site,...where they list and discuss online degree offerings (very informative).

[MissBrattified]

I don't know about those that are completely online, but a lot of colleges and universities offer online programs that are connected to their campus. (You may have to go to campus to take exams and some classes.) I would lean toward those types of programs.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I don't know about those that are completely online, but a lot of colleges and universities offer online programs that are connected to their campus. (You may have to go to campus to take exams and some classes.) I would lean toward those types of programs.

Yeah... If online, I'd definitely attend a school that has an on-site reputation.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Lots of great info, thanks. A little overwhelming trying to figure this all out!

A couple of ladies in my dept went through University of Phoenix and got their degrees.... and got their promotions.... so I know my company is okay with that - but I don't know...... I hate to put a lot of work into a degree that some people think isn't good enough.