Online education opinions/experience

[ChefBoyRG54]

No, not the online education we've received here on BOTL about cigars and watching what you say only to be afraid of the mailman....

Talking about online college. I've been considering this for a few years and am interested in anyone's feedback about their experience. Also anybody with real world experience either using their online degree to get a job or being in a position of hiring someone who has an online degree.

Now, to clarify, I'm referring strictly to accredited online universities offering accredited bachelor's/masters programs. Not referring to any certificate program or technical program. Also not talking about an electrical engineering program either, more business related.

I believe like many that this will become more prevalent over time and more universally accepted. The online programs offer the obvious schedule flexibility a person who works, travels, and has a growing family needs. I am considering not for a potential job change but rather personal security should I ever need to make a move or worst case find a new gig and want to make the interview cut. You know, take care of the family long term thinking

Thoughts of experience on either side of the coin? Pros/cons? Value? Opinions?

Thanks

 

[mwlabel]

I didn't do an online education, but I did take a couple of online-only classes during my time at the U. Quite frankly, I thought they were useless beyond padding my number of credits.

That said, they were entry level classes so it could be more inherent to that quality than the online aspect.

 

[hdroadglide]

damn. guess that rules out the southern michigan clown college. there are some pretty famous alums here on botl!

 

[danmdevries]

As long as you can be self directed and motivated enough, and can effectively Learn that way, go for it.

I personally need the structure of a classroom. I did fine in the few online courses I took, but feel like I just kinda skated through, never truly absorbing the information.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

I didn't do an online education, but I did take a couple of online-only classes during my time at the U. Quite frankly, I thought they were useless beyond padding my number of credits.

That said, they were entry level classes so it could be more inherent to that quality than the online aspect.

As long as you can be self directed and motivated enough, and can effectively Learn that way, go for it.

I personally need the structure of a classroom. I did fine in the few online courses I took, but feel like I just kinda skated through, never truly absorbing the information.

this may sound bad but im less concerned about learning and more concerned with obtaining the degree. I am in a career position in upper management where my real world learning is probably going to massively outweigh the textbook learning at this point. Not to say im unteachable but i have a feeling that a BBA is going to be a breeze for me to accomplish given i stay the course which has always been tough for me long term (see my 4 different college attempts in the past).

Im more interested to hear how the degrees are received in the real world vs say a degree from a UofM, Nebraska, or USC etc. Are they treated semi equally or are they laughed at because they are from online universities. If it ever came down to it, i would really just need the ticket into the interview. I am confident that my real world experience would take it from there. Oh, and my genuinely pleasant personality

 

[rdomfoto]

Depends on several factors - the quality of the lessons and the execution of the online delivery, your learning style and level of self-discipline, your area of study since not all fields are suited to online/self-directed learning, and the reputation of the institution. I would stay away from the for-profit colleges and universities but several of the non-profits have excellent online offerings. Plus, several of them spend a LOT of time and resources putting good student support structures into place so that your education is not just you in front of a computer and writing the occasional exam.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

Depends on several factors - the quality of the lessons and the execution of the online delivery, your learning style and level of self-discipline, your area of study since not all fields are suited to online/self-directed learning, and the reputation of the institution. I would stay away from the for-profit colleges and universities but several of the non-profits have excellent online offerings. Plus, several of them spend a LOT of time and resources putting good student support structures into place so that your education is not just you in front of a computer and writing the occasional exam.

yes, sticking to non-profit private institutions. Not looking at the degree mills. I feel the place ive narrowed down to is a very good online offering with support etc.

Thanks Rob

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

or maybe it will be difficult for me to grasp the textbook knowledge because i have real world application and information lol

 

[rdomfoto]

Or maybe that real world experience will give you an edge in critiquing the textbooks when writing essays!

 

[mwlabel]

this may sound bad but im less concerned about learning and more concerned with obtaining the degree. I am in a career position in upper management where my real world learning is probably going to massively outweigh the textbook learning at this point. Not to say im unteachable but i have a feeling that a BBA is going to be a breeze for me to accomplish given i stay the course which has always been tough for me long term (see my 4 different college attempts in the past).

Im more interested to hear how the degrees are received in the real world vs say a degree from a UofM, Nebraska, or USC etc. Are they treated semi equally or are they laughed at because they are from online universities. If it ever came down to it, i would really just need the ticket into the interview. I am confident that my real world experience would take it from there. Oh, and my genuinely pleasant personality

Honestly, you may be better off asking within your industry. I have worked in an industry where ANY degree was considered a good thing, and I have also worked in one where degrees below a certain threshold were promptly filed in the circular bin.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

Honestly, you may be better off asking within your industry. I have worked in an industry where ANY degree was considered a good thing, and I have also worked in one where degrees below a certain threshold were promptly filed in the circular bin.

can you define threshold? Type of degree? Quality of school?

I've looked at a bunch of industry job postings for a variety of variations in my field. All seem to require the BBA or MBA and as a bonus I could specialize the MBA in supply chain management or something like it.

 

[Hoshneer]

If my wife could do it over we would of went with a sponsored college. We have one locally our state helps fund that is a fraction of the cost. Colleges IMO take advantage of online course charging a bundle for an education that is no where near the cost of someone living there. I would check into something like WGU.

 

[mwlabel]

can you define threshold? Type of degree? Quality of school?

In this case, a degree from a community college or online-only institution (University of Phoenix, etc) held absolutely zero value.
I don't know about type of degree. I imagine any sort of BBA from a typical university would be welcome with open arms.

Do schools do anything to distinguish between an online and campus degree? I would imagine not, but that's just a hunch.
I think they would see a BBA from [insert MI university here] and be happy. Unless it's an online-only school, I think they would have to call the school to find out the details of your enrollment.

I've looked at a bunch of industry job postings for a variety of variations in my field. All seem to require the BBA or MBA and as a bonus I could specialize the MBA in supply chain management or something like it.

If you ever have the opportunity, my personal approach would be to talk directly to somebody hiring a position like that. "Hey, if I ever wanted to do that down the line... would I actually NEED the degree or could I get in because I know my stuff?"

 

[mdwest]

online/distance learning is the way of the future..

it is far more accepted today than it was even just 5 years ago... and is going to be pretty much universally accepted as equal education to brick and mortar institutions very soon (I give it less than 10 years).. especially when you are talking about receiving an "online" degree from an institution that also has brick and mortar classrooms (there will be zero difference in how the degree is looked at.. whether you got it online.. or by sitting in a classroom...)...

Consider this...

25% of all of the classes offered at Harvard in both its undergraduate and graduate programs.. are offered online..

Harvard's law school also now provides several of its courses online..

Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Princeton, U Penn, and Yale (all Ivy League, like Harvard) all offer online education (varying degrees, certificate programs, etc..)..

If you walk into an office with an MBA from Columbia... that was completed 100% online.. do you really think anyone is not going to consider you an Ivy League MBA? Or that youre going to get less consideration than the guy that youre competing for a job with, who got his MBA from Alcorn State while sitting in the classroom?


The American Bar Association was a MAJOR obstacle in allowing law schools to offer online classes.. they wouldnt accredit schools that offered online classes... that just changed a couple of years ago.. now the ABA is onboard.. and MOST law schools now offer some online classes.. several people (career legal educators) think in less than 10 years the ABA is going to cave (under pressure from universities as well as state governments) and will allow law degrees to be completely online, and still receive ABA accreditation..

 

[mdwest]

If you are seriously considering a distance degree.. Ill throw a piece of advice in for your consideration...

look OUTSIDE the United States..

Any idea what an MBA costs from an "average" brick and mortar school in the US that offers an online program?

Ill tell you.. on the low end youre looking at $25K for tuition only.. on the higher end, youre looking at $35-$50K... for an AVERAGE school..

Want to know what an MBA from an "average" school in the UK costs?

I got mine... for $12,500 all in... 1/2 the cost of a similar education from a similar US school... (the school I "went to" is a brick and mortar university, with about 15,000 full time resident students, fully accredited, decent reputation, etc..etc.. its not Harvard.. but it would be considered on par with most smaller sized state/public schools in the US)..

As bad as our economy sucks... most of the rest of the globe is sucking far worse...

There are numerous quality degree programs in the UK, France, Dubai, South Africa, etc.. all taught in English.. all "accredited" and meet international standards, etc.. all MUCH, MUCH cheaper than what you would pay in the US..

The world is becoming more and more "globalized" every day.. degrees from other countries, as long as they meet the same standards as education offered in the US, are more and more acceptable every day..

I dont know if I would recommend you jumping into a program at the University of Pune in India or anything.. that might get a weird look from an interviewer.. Im not sure many American hiring managers are ready for that just yet..

But my experience is that when people see "Lord Ashcroft International School of Business, Anglia Ruskin University" in my bio/resume. it intrigues them, is seen as a positive (you went to a Brit school????), etc... and has served me extremely well..

 

[mi000ke]

I founded and ran for several years the online graduate programs for a well-known business school, which received very high ratings from the same publications that rate traditional graduate business programs. What you should be looking for IMHO is a program that has the same curriculum and course content as the traditional on-campus course, the same top/senior faculty teaching both the online and on-campus courses ( or at least creating the materials and overseeing the course), and no distinction made between the online and on-campus degree. Our online grads march across the stage with their on-campus colleagues at graduation. An employer would never know (or care) how you got the degree as it would not be stated on the diploma. Also there should be a lot of interaction (typically in the form of online discussions - e.g., case study discussions) between the students and between students and faculty. In general we strived to create the same learning experience regardless of the channel of delivery for the program. Another issue to consider is the profile of your classmates you will be learning with and from (ours averaged about 15 years of significant work experience). But if you are just looking for a degree, then this approach would not be for you. It's very hard work and you have to be very self motivated.

 

[mwlabel]

But my experience is that when people see "Lord Ashcroft International School of Business, Anglia Ruskin University" in my bio/resume. it intrigues them, is seen as a positive (you went to a Brit school????), etc... and has served me extremely well..

What do they say about "Hogwarts School of Magic"?


In all serious, that is a great idea. Should I lose my mind and switch back YET AGAIN to an MBA plan, I will definitely be looking into that.

 

[danmdevries]

I got into a master's program with a state school, didn't enroll though, life got in the way.

But to answer a question posted earlier, a state college diploma will read the campus it was granted from regardless the type of attendance.

 

[mdwest]

In all serious, that is a great idea. Should I lose my mind and switch back YET AGAIN to an MBA plan, I will definitely be looking into that.

I was much in the same boat as Chef.. I didnt need the "education" as much as I really just needed the degree.. .

I was losing the ability to compete and be considered for the "next level" of work... my undergraduate degree isnt in business.. and I spent most of my younger years playing cop and soldier rather than working in "business".... most of my peers at the time were either retired colonels with masters degrees and 30+ years of experience managing organizations with thousands of people and tens of millions of dollars (if not hundreds of millions) in assets.. or they were career business people with 20 years of experience in "business", an MBA, etc.. neither of which I had...

For the most part I could run circles around most of my peer group back then... despite having less education and less experience... but couldnt get considered for the next job... because I didnt look right "on paper"..

So I set out to pick up an MBA.. in an attempt to level the playing field a little bit..

I didnt really expect to "learn" anything (although thankfully.. I did pick up a few things along the way.. and the experience wasnt at all a waste of money).. but.. I did want to complete quickly.. wanted to spend as little money as possible.. and I didnt ever want my education "questioned"... so I spent a good bit of time checking around, validating programs, ruling some in, ruling some out, etc..

and ended up with a school in the UK as my best overall option..

It might not be the best choice for everyone... but... I cant complain... Ive gotten exactly out of it what I wanted... which is far more than I invested, or ever put into it..

 

[Tim H]

When I was doing hiring for a variety of Accounting related positions, I almost always discounted an online education. It's too easy to cheat or not really learn as much compared to a brick and mortar education.

Again, only in my experience, but the most skilled, productive and higher quality employees or applicants almost always came from brick and mortar education.

That's not to say online educations are not worth anything but my view was generally the view held by others I talked with in various fields.