Grad School after online BSCS?

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by mattk, Dec 9, 2009.

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  1. mattk

    mattk New Member

    Hi all,

    I'm currently enrolled in the Online Computer Science Bachelor's program at the University of Illinois at Springfield (which I'm finding to be excellent). After I finish my bachelor's, I'm hoping to go on to a "face to face" thesis-oriented Master's and/or Ph.D. program in computer science at a Brick and Mortar university. So my question is: Is an online Bachelor's degree, even if it's from a well-ranked university like UIS, a barrier to getting accepted to a traditional graduate program? Has anyone out there applied to a B&M computer science graduate program with an online bachelor's degree, and if so, what was your experience?

    Thanks, and looking forward to hearing your opinions,
    -Matt
     
  2. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    Does your transcript or diploma state that the degree was by DL?

    I always though that B&M DL degree caries the same weight as on campus based.

    I would be a little bit varied if it was from one of the 100% on line (no B&M) universities.

    There is no guaranty with any BS degree when you applying to Grad school, but I think you upon graduation will be positioned very well with highly respected degree. If I earned BSIS from University of Illinois at Springfield I be very proud and most of the HR professionals wouldn't even know its by DL unless it is written somewhere.
     
  3. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    Yeah, unless you lived in Hoboken while pursuing the degree program at UIS. That would be a giveaway!
     
  4. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    When I attended culinary school (lived on campus), we were taught to list our school address as well as our permanent address on our resume.
    I don't see anything wrong with listing your address as "permanent address" on your resume.. even if you don't have a temporary one.
     
  5. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    If you have high grade, and good GRE score. I don't think you have any problem with applying to top school for Master/Ph.D degree.
     
  6. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    Not really, many people move to dorms and go at times to opposite coast to attend an university.
    My friends doughtier just flew home from Boston to be with the family for Thanks giving and Christmas holidays.

    Now if you show on your resume that you were employed at the same time in a different city then they will figure out.
     
  7. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Maybe they do, but they never asked me whether my degree via distance learning or not. I listed I worked at Camp Pendleton, California...and my degree from Troy, Alabama. Which I have never been to Alabama, nor have flown over Alabama. :)

    BTW, when I applied to Southern Methodist University and George Washington University; when they looked at my resume and never asked me about neither.
     
  8. I think it's all a non-issue. I applied to Indiana's MBA online program blatantly stating that I completed my undergrad at Excelsior entirely via CLEP, DANTES and other exams. What they were interested in was my GMAT and GPA.

    I think that as long as the GPA and Comp Sci GRE scores are good it'll be the same thing.

    I just got accepted to the UIS MS in MIS program and aside from needing to complete my MBA by 3/31 (will be done in Feb), and show previous programming experience (thanks to Sauk Valley Community College I'm going to take an intro Java course for $83, easier than documenting my background and I'll learn some Java to boot) I was good to go.

    I suspect in a few years should I want to go into the DSc program at Dakota State University (or just get my head examined) I'll also have few issues. I suspect that the original poster will not have any either.
     
  9. mattk

    mattk New Member

    Thanks for all the encouraging posts! I'm a lot less worried now. :) As far as my home address vs. the location of my online degree, I don't see that as a big issue. I'm not going to deny that I got an online degree or anything; I'm mainly curious if graduate schools would perceive an online BSCS from UIS the same way they'd perceive an "on the ground" degree from UIS. From what everyone's saying, sounds like they would.
     
  10. mattk

    mattk New Member

    Great point! Certainly, my plan, once I finish my BSCS, is go out and attempt to ace the GREs before applying anywhere.
     
  11. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    just don't ask don't tell. I only tell them about my degree whether online or not when they raise the red flag between location.
     
  12. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    I think one very good point was raised that is GRE scores and the GPA.

    I remember when my wife applied to the grad school these two factors played major role in her acceptance in to the program.
     
  13. Griffin

    Griffin Crazy About Psychology

    Could not agree more. The perception of any online class is strictly in the eyes of the beholder. It sounds so cliche, but it really does say more about the person judging than it does about you. At any rate, the education you get online is similar or identical to the same classes taken on-campus.

    GPA and test scores matter for grad school apps, but the online aspect doesn't matter much, if at all.
     
  14. major56

    major56 Active Member

    It shouldn’t matter at all. Many years back I had a cousin who was a State game warden working on his masters at Sul Ross State University in little Alpine Texas. He later completed his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University. He told me that A&M didn’t care where or even how he completed his masters; only the he had one!
     

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