Online degree programs - what advice do you have?

[jdnstl]

Hello all!

After being told by my boss that I'm not qualified to do any accounting related projects for her because I don't have a degree in accounting (despite doing accounting work for over 15 years), I have reached the decision that I need to pursue my master's if I want to move up or forward in my work. My company provides up to $4k in tuition reimbursement and when I mentioned pursuing a masters to my HR recruiter, I was encouraged to do it and go through the reimbursement program. So I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions of ONLINE only degree programs, particularly if you have done one at the masters level. I'm a single parent of an elementary student and so I am unable to attend classes in person. What program have you participated in? What did you like or dislike? Did you find it difficult in any way? I hope to check in for everyone's thoughts before the end of the week.

[CCL]

I dont know much about your field, but, in general, I would check the accreditations of any schools/programs you might be interested in. Only consider those that are real schools and recognized by your employer, professional society, etc. Is there anyone in your workplace or career field who could offer recommendations?

[steph08]

I did an online masters through Minnesota State University. The classes were synchronous, which meant that they met at a specific time. I preferred it that way because I got to interact with my classmates and professors. We used headsets and Web cams. But there are a lot of online programs that are asynchronous which means you do the work on your own time.

Definitely look into doing a program through a real university, not a completely online school like university of Phoenix.

[zibazinski]

Find a legit university that offers some classes online. Don't go with a Phoenix or other programs that aren't worth the paper they're printed on

[flutterby]

I finished my BS through a completely online program. I have quite a few coworkers who are getting their Masters right now, all online. All real schools that offer degrees online, not Phoenix-type ones like others mentioned. We're accountants. I don't know anyone going to college right now (not counting 18-25-ish year olds) who is actually physically attending classes. Honestly, with kids, jobs, etc. no one seems to have the time or inclination to sit in class. I loved the online option. If I go back for my Masters, I'll do it online. Biggest requirements are organization and time management skills I think. Anyone without those will struggle. At least among the professionals I know, online degrees aren't looked down on in the least, and supervisors seem to prefer them because it doesn't affect employee schedules like physically attending classes might.

Good luck to you in your studies!

[billisonboard]

Feb 22, 2016 18:10:23 GMT -5 jdnstl said:

Hello all!

After being told by my boss that I'm not qualified to do any accounting related projects for her because I don't have a degree in accounting ...

If your goal is to do accounting related projects for her, I would certainly solicit her opinion of a quality program.

[chen35]

Feb 22, 2016 20:48:18 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Find a legit university that offers some classes online. Don't go with a Phoenix or other programs that aren't worth the paper they're printed on

This! Don't go to a for profit school. There are several brick and mortar universities that offer online programs. I would check those out.

[Ombud]

I got my Masters at a California State University that offered the courses both online, on campus, or a combination. Same courses, same requirements, same degree. Real colleges / universities have online courses (GS1 took a history GE that way over wintercession. ... no one will ever know it was completely online). But his & mine had set class time so that was convenient

[jdnstl]

Feb 22, 2016 20:48:18 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Find a legit university that offers some classes online. Don't go with a Phoenix or other programs that aren't worth the paper they're printed on

What's wrong with university of Phoenix? It's accredited with the dept of education and many employers work eith them for their employees to attend. You aren't the first person to have a negative view but you didn't state why so please share if you don't mind.

[jdnstl]

Feb 22, 2016 21:36:12 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Feb 22, 2016 18:10:23 GMT -5 jdnstl said:

Hello all!

After being told by my boss that I'm not qualified to do any accounting related projects for her because I don't have a degree in accounting ...

If your goal is to do accounting related projects for her, I would certainly solicit her opinion of a quality program.

My goal is not to work for her and I don't think she would have any thoughts on it anyway. When I spoke with the HR recruiter that hired me all he said was to make sure its accredited and sent me the link to check on the Dept of education's site.

[jdnstl]

Feb 22, 2016 22:34:46 GMT -5 chen35 said:

Feb 22, 2016 20:48:18 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Find a legit university that offers some classes online. Don't go with a Phoenix or other programs that aren't worth the paper they're printed on

This! Don't go to a for profit school. There are several brick and mortar universities that offer online programs. I would check those out.

Same question for you. Why not a for-profit school? Why a brick and mortar university? I'd like details please.

[zibazinski]

Do you know of anyone professional that was ever hired that had a degree from there?

[Wisconsin Beth]

Feb 23, 2016 16:45:45 GMT -5 jdnstl said:

Feb 22, 2016 20:48:18 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Find a legit university that offers some classes online. Don't go with a Phoenix or other programs that aren't worth the paper they're printed on

What's wrong with university of Phoenix? It's accredited with the dept of education and many employers work eith them for their employees to attend. You aren't the first person to have a negative view but you didn't state why so please share if you don't mind.

because it's used by so many people, it's believed that the classes are not as rigorous as a brick and mortar school.

Pro profits are similar beliefs.

[Deleted]

There are online and in person degree programs at both for profit and not for profit schools (though I don't know how a school like Harvard with a 38 billion dollar tax preferred endowment is not considered to have made a profit).

Online education regardless of profit motive takes a bad rap because it is presumed to be easier to cheat.

For profit gets a bad rap because they have a high flunk out rate and a high percentage of their graduates now get their degree online.

For your employer, it may be the simple check mark of getting your graduate degree and if they are willing to pay for it, pretty much any accredited school will work (democrats are trying to take down any for profit so take that into account). If they require you to pay for it and want an in person experience than it may not be worth it for you depending on your circumstances, you really need to find out what your employer is looking for specifically.

Full disclosure both DW and I both went to DeVry 16 years ago before online was an option and it led to quick employment and very lucrative careers (for several of my friends as well). Would I go there now? Probably not, their movement over the past 15 years to online and the current administrations witch hunt have damaged the brand.

[Deleted]

Feb 23, 2016 17:02:59 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Do you know of anyone professional that was ever hired that had a degree from there?

Several, it wasn't the pariah 10 years ago that it is today.

[zibazinski]

That's interesting because I left the work force about 9 years ago and there were jokes made even among the teaching profession, let alone a more business atmosphere, about how those degrees were considered jokes. I'm talking specifically U of P, though. But there were jokes made about online degrees from NOVA universities as well.  

[chen35]

Feb 23, 2016 16:56:33 GMT -5 jdnstl said:

Feb 22, 2016 22:34:46 GMT -5 chen35 said:

This! Don't go to a for profit school. There are several brick and mortar universities that offer online programs. I would check those out.

Same question for you. Why not a for-profit school? Why a brick and mortar university? I'd like details please.

For profit schools are expensive, and rightly so or not, are not taken seriously in the business world. A brick and mortar school may take more time (even if done online), but it will most likely be less expensive and will be more meaningful to employers.

[Deleted]

Feb 23, 2016 17:48:16 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

That's interesting because I left the work force about 9 years ago and there were jokes made even among the teaching profession, let alone a more business atmosphere, about how those degrees were considered jokes. I'm talking specifically U of P, though. But there were jokes made about online degrees from NOVA universities as well.  

Not saying it was considered a good school then but it had a much better reputation than now. A lot of companies hired out of there and provided their employees tuition reimbursement to go there, why would they if they considered it a joke?

[jdnstl]

Feb 23, 2016 17:38:25 GMT -5 @aj said:

There are online and in person degree programs at both for profit and not for profit schools (though I don't know how a school like Harvard with a 38 billion dollar tax preferred endowment is not considered to have made a profit).

Online education regardless of profit motive takes a bad rap because it is presumed to be easier to cheat.

For profit gets a bad rap because they have a high flunk out rate and a high percentage of their graduates now get their degree online.

For your employer, it may be the simple check mark of getting your graduate degree and if they are willing to pay for it, pretty much any accredited school will work (democrats are trying to take down any for profit so take that into account). If they require you to pay for it and want an in person experience than it may not be worth it for you depending on your circumstances, you really need to find out what your employer is looking for specifically.

Full disclosure both DW and I both went to DeVry 16 years ago before online was an option and it led to quick employment and very lucrative careers (for several of my friends as well). Would I go there now? Probably not, their movement over the past 15 years to online and the current administrations witch hunt have damaged the brand.

Thank you for your detailed response. I can understand the idea that it's easier to cheat. I don't believe that just because a program has a high percentage of online students is a negative thing, really it reflects that our culture has shifted in how it views technology and using it for maximum advantage. For my employer I think it is simply to check a box, but I am taking into consideration what other employers want. My employers has a tuition reimbursement plan and all they want is that it's accredited. For some degrees I don't see how you can do it 100% online, including teaching, and anything in the medical field where you need hands on or face to face training.

[jdnstl]

Feb 23, 2016 17:58:30 GMT -5 @aj said:

Not saying it was considered a good school then but it had a much better reputation than now. A lot of companies hired out of there and provided their employees tuition reimbursement to go there, why would they if they considered it a joke?

That was my thought, if it's so bad why are employers preferring to send their employees there?

[jdnstl]

Thanks everyone for your input so far. It's been helpful. Keep chiming in if you have an opinion.

[Deleted]

Feb 23, 2016 17:57:08 GMT -5 chen35 said:

Feb 23, 2016 16:56:33 GMT -5 jdnstl said:

Same question for you. Why not a for-profit school? Why a brick and mortar university? I'd like details please.

For profit schools are expensive, and rightly so or not, are not taken seriously in the business world. A brick and mortar school may take more time (even if done online), but it will most likely be less expensive and will be more meaningful to employers.

You keep saying brick and mortar or for profit, a person can get a brick and mortar degree at a for profit and a person can get an online degree at a not for profit.

For profit degrees can be less expensive than some not for profit. Not all the time and maybe not usually but to paintbrush them as always more expensive is not true. The state school I was accepted to was more expensive than the for profit school I went to.

Also to say all of them are not taken seriously in the business world is again incorrect, I have worked for two Fortune 500's and have graduates of state schools reporting to me. If you want to say you think not for profit schools are taken more seriously I have no qualms there.

[chen35]

Feb 23, 2016 18:09:32 GMT -5 @aj said:

Feb 23, 2016 17:57:08 GMT -5 chen35 said:

For profit schools are expensive, and rightly so or not, are not taken seriously in the business world. A brick and mortar school may take more time (even if done online), but it will most likely be less expensive and will be more meaningful to employers.

You keep saying brick and mortar or for profit, a person can get a brick and mortar degree at a for profit and a person can get an online degree at a not for profit.

For profit degrees can be less expensive than some not for profit. Not all the time and maybe not usually but to paintbrush them as always more expensive is not true. The state school I was accepted to was more expensive than the for profit school I went to.

Also to say all of them are not taken seriously in the business world is again incorrect, I have worked for two Fortune 500's and have graduates of state schools reporting to me. If you want to say you think not for profit schools are taken more seriously I have no qualms there.

You are correct, I misspoke. When I say brick and mortar I mean not for profit. Obviously not the same thing.

I think a degree from somewhere like U of Phoenix is better than no degree at all. If you are just checking a box, it can be worthwhile. I also live in an area of the country where tuition at public universities is reasonable (WAY less expensive than U of Phoenix). So it makes more sense to try to make that work since the degree is taken more seriously. YMMV.

[wvugurl26]

University of Maryland has a whole branch of online stuff. It's University of Maryland University College. It's not at all cheap though. I did a class I needed to get my CPA license in MD through them.

[wvugurl26]

Feb 23, 2016 21:54:07 GMT -5 @patstab said:

I think he also had a few courses through them if I remember,

seems like he was in the states at that time though.

If I remember I think they advertise to military/DoD. Those folks tend to move a lot and have trouble finishing at one school.

A lot of brick and mortar schools are offering online these days. To get the best value I'd look at my in state schools and see what they offered online.

UMUC has a pretty awesome setup. Not qualifying for residency back then resulted in that one class having a $1600 bill. Luckily work picked that up. If you could swing 12 hours you might hit a discount at that point.

[Ombud]

Check out costs ... websites stated University of Phoenix apx 60k whereas CSU = 450 per unit × 32 = much more affordable

[seriousthistime]

I think UofP might have dropped a notch or two in employers' eyes after the big Corinthian College blow-up.  It sort of cast colleges like that in a bad light.

This might help:  www.accounting-degree.org/best-online-masters-in-accounting-degree-programs/ 

Personally, I'd go for an online program at one of the top 25, and the more widely-recognized name associated with quality the better.  Notice that UofP is not on the list. If you are in a place where you plan to stay, pick one on the list that employers are most likely to recognize.  And yes, choose something that doesn't scream ONLINE and could just as easily reflect physical presence in class. 

[jdnstl]

Feb 24, 2016 11:57:12 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

I think UofP might have dropped a notch or two in employers' eyes after the big Corinthian College blow-up.  It sort of cast colleges like that in a bad light.

This might help:  www.accounting-degree.org/best-online-masters-in-accounting-degree-programs/ 

Personally, I'd go for an online program at one of the top 25, and the more widely-recognized name associated with quality the better.  Notice that UofP is not on the list. If you are in a place where you plan to stay, pick one on the list that employers are most likely to recognize.  And yes, choose something that doesn't scream ONLINE and could just as easily reflect physical presence in class. 

The bad thing is most of those are hella expensive. But it was informative so thanks for sharing.

[jlbear71]

First, U of P is University of Pensylvania, not Phoenix.  

Second, I am currently at a completely online university after spending three years at brick and mortar community colleges (two cc).  I researched thoroughly both b&m and online for both my BS and then MS.  Both options are accredited but online is actually much cheaper, $8-10k/yr versus $15-20/year.  And I should finish both in about 2 years versus 3 at a b&m school.k

ETA all schools I looked at are not for profit schools.  Also, my degrees will be dual degrees in Psychology and Human Services.

[Ombud]

ASU (Arizona State University) has 100 online degrees and the diploma is the same as their brick & mortar school so just as valid