I Have A Big Decision to Make

[LuvNewcastle]

I need your help deciding how to further my education. After 20 years, I've decided to go back to school but I can't make up my mind where to go. There's a local university that is a strong contender and I've also been exploring the various online universities.

Normally I wouldn't consider an online school, but I could finish much more quickly at one of those schools and the flexible schedules are ideal for someone who works. Many of the online schools are accredited (very many aren't as well) but does that mean that other, traditional schools have to accept the credits and/or degree earned from the accredited online university?

I know that many of these online schools are diploma mills, but some of them must be legit. I would like to finish my degree soon, but I don't have time or money to waste. If you, a friend, or a relative has had a positive or negative experience with online education, please tell me. Thanks in advance.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. Don't load up on the soul crushing student loans

[leftofcool]

2. There is no such thing as an online legit school

Even those that have some degree of credibility are degree mills and it is unlikely that any decent university would accept the credits. Companies laugh when they see those on a resume. Go to a real university.

[MUAD_DIB]

3. I agree. Also, internet/home online schooling doesn't sound very

conducive to getting a decent *education. A traditional class with deadlines/teachers and TAs is more realistic (IMHO) to actually learning something useful.

*You can find colleges/universities that have "distance learning" options for their real classes, but that would depend on the school.

[LuvNewcastle]

8. I've always been skeptical of them.

But they claim to be reputable. One question I have is, "Why do they give out financial aid to these institutions?"

[Paper Roses]

4. Good for you for going back to school. Could you consider

any local community colleges? Many here in MA have evening credit courses, full range of subjects.

If you took a couple of classes a week at night, could you still perform your job?

[LuvNewcastle]

7. It looks like that's probably what I'll do.

I know the credits will count and the classes are much cheaper.

[elleng]

11. My daughter is getting her masters

via a program for 'adults' who have to continue working. Classes are evenings (I think) and weekends. Some such arrangement sounds promising.

GOOD LUCK!

[petersjo02]

5. Check on local/state colleges/universities

I suspect many of them offer courses online. I have taken college-level courses through Iowa's state school systems and have had a great experience with each of them. Had deadlines to meet, so that part isn't much different than going on campus. Saw an ad on TV just this evening for Upper Iowa University in Fayette. According to the ad, the school has on-line student from all over the world.

[LuvNewcastle]

9. The online school I was looking at is in Iowa --

Ashford University. It's in Clinton, IA.

[KILL THE WISE ONE]

6. since you gave no school names, it hard to answer. so i suggest

get in touch with the potential employers, that you wish your new degree will impress and ask them. This may also start a contacts list for potential employment when you finish your degree.

[sandnsea]

10. Most colleges offer online courses

They should tell you how often they offer your required courses online so you can plan accordingly. You should be able to take courses from other colleges in your state and have the credits transferred to whatever university you get your degree from too. There's lots of ways and you absolutely do not need to sit in a classroom for every single course.

[LuvNewcastle]

13. I hope I can take a lot of them online.

Otherwise I'll probably be working the graveyard shift.

[handmade34]

12. my opinion

online classes at a traditional school are good. Exclusively online schools are suspect.

[LuvNewcastle]

14. That sounds like a good rule of thumb.

[LuvNewcastle]

15. Thanks for all your responses!

You were all very helpful. Looks like I'm going to the local college where I'll try to take some courses online.

[handmade34]

19. good luck to you

I continually take online classes from a bricks and mortar school. I travel for work and love that I can do that.

[jtuck004]

16. Accredited online degrees are well worth checking out.

Do your research, but just because a university has walls doesn't mean it will get you what you want. Or that it's worth a damn.

Accreditation is important, unless you are looking for a degree in astrology or massage. Most major colleges work very hard to be accredited by regional accrediting agencies, (not Harvard or MIT, perhaps, but unless you are at that level, it might be important to you) and you can read about it here: (with other links)
http://distancelearn.about.com/od/accreditationinfo/a/regional.htm

North Central has a link where you can check on a schools accreditation

You can ask questions of experienced people here:

http://www.degreeinfo.com/

and just a couple of links:

Business Week rates schools, now including online schools, and here
is a link to an article by the Economist

http://www.degreeinfo.com/

Colorado State ought to be good:

http://www.learn.colostate.edu/

Are you in Canada?

http://www.athabascau.ca/

Here they discuss several degrees - read their page on accreditation - but they have some good
info about the cost of mba degrees, along with some others

http://www.geteducated.com/online-college-ratings-and-rankings/best-buy-lists/best-buy-online-masters-mba-aacsb

It is 2010, and online degrees are very well accepted at many schools, businesses, and especially in the government.

Any degree is only worth what you put into it, however. If you have a career path in mind be sure and pursue networking with people in the industry while you are working your way through school.

Does that help?

[LuvNewcastle]

17. Very helpful, indeed.

Thank you for taking the effort to look up the links.:)

[jtuck004]

18. I just noticed Ashford in one of your posts

did a quick search on degreeinfo.com

http://www.degreeinfo.com/search.php?searchid=619890

One of the folks there took classes at Ashford - you might be able to email him/her with questions. People like to help. Usually ;)