What is a quality distance ed. program?

I am planning on starting an MBA shortly. So far I have applied to Touro. I am still considering Baker College or UMUC. I have noticed that most people suggest that going to an RA school. I agree almost 100% (one should attend the school that meets their educational needs or interest. However, I think some of the our discussions about schools have been very subject. I think they should be more discussion about the content of a program and assistance that is available from the faculty. Going to school with high reputation is definitely a great thing. However, having an degree from Harvard doesn’t help in the long run if you don’t know what you are doing on the job.
So what are in the necessary ingredients of a quality distance program of study? I am also concern about programs that are only based on email exchange since we are mostly to retain more of what we hear compare to more what we read. Your comments please!!!!!!!!


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Colin B

 

Here's my take. Please attach one (1) grain of salt:

Minimum Standard for Acceptability (Academic): Regional accreditation, if a U.S. school.

Minimum Standard for Acceptability (Professional): Regional or DETC accreditation, if a U.S. school (former is highly preferable).

Beyond that: I don't know that prestige really matters. I've never earned a degree from a top-tier school (though I took a residential graduate counseling course from one and passed with an A). UMUC and Baker have an advantage over Touro's UI in that they're established residential schools (or part of a residential system), but if you can list Touro College on your resume instead of Touro University International (check with the school to see if this is appropriate), they're about even (and Touro might even have a slight edge; I haven't checked their USN&WR rating yet).

Good luck!


Cheers,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

When we were researching and writing Bears' Guide to the Best MBAs by Distance Learning, we determined eleven important factors to consider in choosing any MBA program. That section of the book is available free on the publisher's website. The hope, of course, is that people will read that and say, "Wow. Hot stuff. Now I will rush out and buy the book." Anyway, it can be read at:
http://www.degree.net/guides/mba_guide.html

John Bear

 

Tom, John,

Thanks for your comments. I looked at the guidelines at degree.net and they are good.

My feeling is that universities and colleges should allow students to see examples of course syllabuses to determine what is being taught, what is required to master in the program and assestment alternatives.

In my humble and uninformed opinion about higher education or education in general. Is that effective education takes place when the student is challenged and is forced to perform at a higher level.

One of my previous instructors told his students that it isn't the grades that matter - the journey to get there is far more important.

Therefore, it may not be in a students interest in the look run to choose easy school, get straight A's , but at the same time is deprived of good education.

Should schools be forced by law to release more info. about the academic level of their programs or not?

 

I agree completely--and every program should have, on hand, sample syllabuses for this exact purpose (so that folks can assess the program's difficulty before writing a check).

My M.A. alma mater--CSUDH--has taken a lead on this by putting all or nearly all of the HUX syllabuses online for anyone to see.


Cheers,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)