Online degree programs - what advice do you have?

[chen35]

I think any school that is University of (insert P city/state name here) can and most likely does call themselves U of P. It's like U of M. To me it means University of Michigan, but I know several other schools that people refer to as U of M. 

[Deleted]

Feb 22, 2016 20:48:02 GMT -5 steph08 said:

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.

I did my MLIS degree the same way through the University of Alabama. I liked the synchronous model best. I felt like the teacher knew me (he wrote a recommendation for me), and I knew my fellow students (there were three of us who took turns rooming together while we took 4 weeks sessions at UA.)

I really think it makes a difference even though the asynchronous model is somewhat "easier."

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Mar 11, 2016 17:16:41 GMT -5 chen35 said:

I think any school that is University of (insert P city/state name here) can and most likely does call themselves U of P. It's like U of M. To me it means University of Michigan, but I know several other schools that people refer to as U of M. 

Exactly. There are three OSUs. Two of them have the same colors.

[bobosensei]

Another option is "hybrid" classes.  My university offers classes that are 95% online, and then you come in person to take tests.  They also offer online classes where you watch the class in real time, and can ask questions and interact with the other students.  And I guess they probably offer the online classes where you do the work on your own time.

Look at your local state universities accounting degree options and see what is available.  Even though my masters could be done online, I have chosen to go in person, at least for now.  I feel I am getting a better experience with the networking with the professors and my peers.  But I could see later on maybe taking some classes online.

The other reason online degrees get a bad rap is that many times the professors at those for profit schools are picking up classes to make ends meet.  They have no real interest in really teaching, and would rather just hand out A's and B's to get the money.  The students don't care.  They want something easy to get the diploma.  And the schools don't care- they just want the tuition.

[bobosensei]

I thought the University of Pennsylvania was UPenn...