Looking for suggestions - ready to apply

Good morning,

First, I wanted to say that I have learned so much from all of you. Since finding DegreeInfo.com, I've made a point of reading this forum at least once a day, and the information has been invaluable.

I am hoping someone out there might have a few words to say regarding a few programs I am considering, or perhaps recommend another choice. Specifically, I'll looking at the Associate and/or Bachelor programs for Business.

For background on myself...
-Time: I am a single mother working a full-time job. Time required during the day is most certainly a consideration because I have very little of it outside the workplace. While at work, I am lucky enough to have a job flexible enough where I may be able to do some classwork/studying, but that depends on the work load and I can't always guarantee it. I can complete the coursework weekends/nights after the baby is in bed/sometimes at work, but there isn't a set time each day that I could designate as "school time".
-Quality: I know there are plenty of programs out there that basically hand you a piece of paper, but I need and want to know the information to benefit from it at the workplace. Also, I am looking strictly at RA schools. I'd *prefer* to find a B&M school that offers an online program, but time and cost will probably exclude most of those options.
-Cost: My employer does not offer tuition reimbursement so all cash will be in the form of financial aid or out of my pocket. I do seem to qualify for a fair amount of financial aid according to my fafsa score...if I can ever decide on a school to finish that little process. Still, if at all possible, I want to keep as little as possible coming out of my pocket.
-Goals: Ideally, I want to earn an Associate degree so I can immediately make a move into a slightly higher-pay job (most likely secretarial - huge and competitive market here and most require at least an Assoc. to consider an applicant, but the pay is better than what I'm currently making) while I continue on for a Bachelors. I have approximately 35 credits I can transfer somewhere from a RA B&M school I attended 7 years ago.

My initial plan is to get the Associates from a passingly decent school just so I can make the jump into a new job (that school does have to be decent enough that employers won't turn their nose up at the resume - I have some working experience but will be switching fields so will essentially be going for entry-level with other college grads straight out of their dorm rooms). I do want the Assoc. degree to be from an RA school because I plan on continuing on to a Bachelors degree (RA). I am located in Illinois just south of Chicago with many B&M schools around, but it's virtually impossible for me to make it into a classroom. Distance learning is my best (and currently, only) option.

I apologize for the lengthy explanation, but I thought background might help.



So far, I've looked at...

Baker College Online - So far I'm looking for more information. I'm concerned that their degrees will differ from their B&M students (ex. it will list an Associate of Business - Management-online rather than just Associate of Business - Management). Their cost looks promising as does the rest of their program. I'm concerned that I'm missing something as I research them because they look ideal...except that I'm wondering if the degrees will specify "online" - but I can ask that of an admissions counselor if noone here knows.

TESC - This is also high on my list. I'm still awaiting information from them but from what I've found on the website, they fit most of my needs. My only hesitation is that their name seems to come with the DL stigma. On the one hand, I probably don't want to work for an employer that would turn his/her nose up at an RA degree for such a silly reason...but on the other hand, I don't want to miss out on an opportunity simply because my alma mater was a pioneer in DL.

COSC - I'd just about decided on COSC until I discovered they offer a non-specific degree. It just seems important to me that my degree specify what I studied.

DePaul's DL program - Again, non-specific degree and also does not offer an Assoc. program by DL.

I've glanced at a zillion other programs, but at this point they're all blending together. I was searching or "the perfect school" for three months prior to finding this website about a month ago, and I keep thinking to myself that is four months I could've spent earning my degree. It's time to just make a final decision and get started (already started down the financial aid road). Any directional nudges or advice you could give me would be most appreciated.

Thank you,
Emily

 

here is a good place to start for Bachelor's degree. I know many of these schools also offer Associate degrees.

http://collegedegrees.tripod.com/


Here is a site that shows Associate degrees
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/

Assoicate in Business
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-associate/business-administration-degree.htm

 

erased - bad links

 

Another avenue is the community college/junior college (CC/JC) route. Many offer DL prgrams at the AA/AS level. One that comes to mind is Rio Salado .

A list of most CC/JC's can be found at: http://www.utexas.edu/world/comcol/state/ .

 

When you apply for a job you will list your degree - and you have every right to list your concentration, as someone else would list their major. If they want to verify your degree, your employer will ask for a transcript, not a copy of your diploma. That transcript lists all of your courses, which speaks much more to what you studied than the name of your degree.

As long as your degree gets you in the door to an interview, the non-specific degree could actually be to your advantage. At the interview, you will then have the chance to explain your degree, your choice of courses. If you have to design you own degree program, it shows one more accomplishment beyond what the other applicants can show. Since it will also show that you did this while working, it will demonstrate your willingness to stick to your plan, and follow through.

For a secretarial position, chances are the AA will get you in the door, but the person who interviews you won't even care where it came from - they will be more interested in your skills. The degree requirement is only a method to reduce the number of applicants. In many cases, you will still be considered without the degree as long as you have appropriate experience (but most people won't apply because they think their application will be sent directly to the trash bin). I worked a couple of years in HR, and there were always exceptions to job requirements, unless they were legally required.

 

Concentrations

I have a bachelor of arts degree with a major in liberal studies and a minor in business administration. I have a concentration in my major in criminal justice. My degree reads "Bachelor of Arts", listing no major or minor. What I put on applications is BA, Criminal Justice/Business Administration. With the wide variety of degree titles out there it can be too confusing to go into too much detail.

Since you live in Illinois, look at the Illinois Virtual Campus for DL options in state. Go here:

http://www.ivc.illinois.edu/

Lake Land CC has an AS in Business Administration for $48 a s.h. It will be hard to beat that.

I agree that you should look at DL junior colleges. They will be much cheaper and there is no reason to go in to major debt for an AA. Especially, when you plan to go higher. Good luck. I applaud your desire to succeed.

 

My degree from Baker College says Master of Business Administration. No reference to on-line

The transcript says (besides MBA) Leadership Studies Concentration. Again no reference to on-line.

Bill Hurd

 

EmilyM,

this link may be of benefit with educational/financial avenues.

http://www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.asp


Also you may want to search the forum for some portfolio guidance, you may be closer to the Associates than you realize.

Best wishes on your search.

 

TESC

Hello, If you decide to go with TESC please feel free to contact me. I don't work for the college but am very familiar with the process. Hille (TESC) grad as well as my husband and daughter. [email protected]