How does one research the quality of on-line degree programs?

[jokerman93]

I've been looking into various on-line degree programs considering getting credit for life experience etc. Is there any way I can find out some background on these schools? Any suggestions?

http://www.directoryofonlineschools.com/3/index.jsp?CLK=5061713412116040&kw=university_online

Here's one for example:

University of Berkely
http://www.berkley-u.edu/

This program is not "accredited". What is the value of accreditation for me? Is an unaccredited degree recognized at any way at all as legitimate?

I know such a degree would be acceptable in China for example, so I'm wondering about the pros and cons of getting a degree like this. Any input would be appreciated.

[acmejack]

1. If it is from an unaccredited school it is worthless!

Get a real degree from an accredited school. The others are basically not worth the paper they are printed on.

[mr_hat]

2. If it comes with an attractive, leatherette diploma holder, free >

but only if you act now, you should probably keep looking.

[steve2470]

3. I agree with acme

If the school and/or program is not accredited, keep looking. Many people have learned that the hard way.

[applegrove]

Go with a university that has a campus (and a long term record) on

the ground. Many schools are run like businesses and I actually walked into one that was filled with sales type people on registration day. These sales people where just there to make the sale (and take a commission). They didn't even know about the courses. So that you don't end up in a course which is just a "product". But one that is reviewed by an actual teacher.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

4. If it's not "accredited,"

it's bogus.

Go to a real school. Forget getting credit for "life experience." That's bogus, too. Go to learn stuff, stuff you didn't know, things that will excite you and make you want to learn more.

Go to a school with people you'd have not met before. Find out what it's like to question and be questioned in an academic setting where knowledge and critical thinking are prized. Find out how great you can feel when you defend a thesis of your own creation.

Go to a school and learn. Don't just try to find an online place to give you 'credentials,' because, I will tell you this, those 'credentials' will end up labelling you as a pretender, as someone who took a shortcut. People with real credentials will simply look past you.

"Life experience" is no substitute for academic rigor and inquiry.

[steve2470]

5. you go OLL. Are you a real lawyer or just play one on DU ?

:-)

[OldLeftieLawyer]

7. Depends

You got cash?

[steve2470]

8. Naw

so are you an old leftie paralegal ? :-)

[OldLeftieLawyer]

12. "para"?

I got several working for me in the law firm I own.

So, does that make me "real" enough, or do I have to sue your sorry ass into nothingness?

:hi:

[steve2470]

19. just joshing ya !

When I said "naw", that implied that you'd be willing to sell yourself as a paralegal. Guess not :-)

[OldLeftieLawyer]

20. Joshin' ya back, toots...........

But, since you're in a spending mood, how much ya got? :)

[steve2470]

21. depends on what "work" you're going to do for me

:-) (joshing alert)

[OldLeftieLawyer]

22. HAHAHAHAHA!

You just made OldLeftieLawyer LOL!

For that, of course, you must fry............

:toast: :spank: :headbang: :yourock: :woohoo: :applause:

[steve2470]

23. fry what ?

:evilgrin:

[AllegroRondo]

9. Yup, hes a real lawyer :)

[steve2470]

11. I thought OLL was a she

now I'm sooooooooo confused :wtf:

[OldLeftieLawyer]

13. And, wonder of wonders,

he's a she.................

:hi:

[AllegroRondo]

15. Yup, I'm embarassed!

[cornermouse]

6. Accreditation usually carries more weight, means more money,

and makes it easier for you to get a job.

What area are you wanting to go into?

[jokerman93]

14. Area of study

I'm 47. Worked for several years as a software engineer and spent seven years in the military. for the past five years I've been a technical instructor; teaching, developing curriculum and technical reference manuals for a large Japanese robotics manufacturer. I have a BA in English and would like to get my MA in some related field. English is a possibility, but educational media development, and technical publishing/typography are ideas I've thought about.

Just don't know what direction would be best at this point since I work full time.

[cornermouse]

17. Well, you can either do a general, possibly not all that effective

search for educational media development accreditation organization and get something like Association for Educational Communications and Technology (of which I have no idea about its authenticity) and then look for schools it gives accreditation to or you can pick out a career title + accreditation organization and do a search for that.

I'm willing to admit I know nothing about the area that you're considering.

[jokerman93]

10. Thanks for the feedback

It confirms what I thought. Does anyone have personal experience with this sort of thing?

[funflower]

16. Any degree program s/b "regionally" accredited. Some "national"

accrediting bodies are OK for trade schools but not for a bachelor's degree program.

A reputable bricks-and-mortar school usually will not risk its reputation by offering an unaccredited online program. Most of them require at least some time "in residence."

Check with people in the field you want to pursue. They generally know the score. Also, the BBB or your state AG's consumer affairs office might have some helpful info.

Professional programs s/b approved by their profession's national governing body. For example, there has been some growth recently in online law schools that are not approved by the ABA. In most states, you cannot even sit for the bar exam based on these degrees.

The "University of Berkley" does not even spell "Berkeley" correctly!

[jokerman93]

18. LOL

Yes. I noticed that when I got the brochure. My scam detector went off -- which prompted this post actually. Thanks a lot for the helpful information.

[sweetheart]

24. Here's a good one in the UK (cheap too by US standards)

This is the UK's primary virtual university. It is large, offers
part time and internet type courses, is very high quality, and accredited.

You can attend courses where you show up for 1 week of intensive work
and then do most of your time at home online and stuff. The learning
quality is excellent for adults who don't have the time or resources
to spend full time hanging out at a university campus.

http://www.open.ac.uk/

[NMMNG]

25. If the program is not accredited your degree basically won't be worth

the paper it is printed on as far as many employers are concerned, and particularly where institutes of higher learning are concerned (if you plan to seek a higher degree).

[Sgent]

26. Check here first

If the schools not listed, don't give 'em money. From an accredited school, you can get federal loans. You should also check out every state school in your area, since often you get the instate tuition even when doing correspondence work.

Dept of Education Websearch for ALL accredited schools

[fishwax]

27. Admissions officer here. Accreditation matters. Period.

You may not get credit for life experience, but there is a decent chance that you CAN get credit for job training or military experience. Accredited programs give credit for those all the time, as long as they are evaluated for credit by the American Council of Education (ACE). Certain schools (Excelsior College and Park University come to mind) might be more liberal in awarding credit for life experience. These are both accredited schools, but they also have a reputation as quasi-diploma mills (both schools potentially award degrees to students who never even take a single class "on campus.")

But if you get an online degree, get one that is Regionally Accredited. Make sure it is REGIONALLY ACCREDITED. Online accreditation doesn't mean shit for school later, if you should attempt it. My advice would be to make sure that a school is Regionally Accredited by one of the major accrediting agencies (Western Association, Southern Association, etc.) before you bother applying or spending money. Some schools claim national accreditation, but it really doesn't mean anything. Feel free to PM me if you have questions about specific programs. I can't guarantee I'll know them, but I can try ...

[Binka]

28. This Is A Top Notch On line Program At DePaul

http://www.worldwidelearn.com/depaul/online-degrees.htm

Check it out.

Binka