Distance Education Degree Becomes Some Difficulty

Hello Everyone,

I just want to share my experiences with everyone on a distance education degree. I have been a member of this Forum for several years. In fact, before I started my path to Troy University. I started my path to Troy University after receiving the advices from other members and staffs. I completed my degree in June 2006, and now it comes to a difficult part. I applied to the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. It is my understanding that the applicant must have a Bachelor degree from an accredited college, whether it is Regional or National. My Officer Selection Officer (OSO) informed me that I have to write a letter and explain to the members of the board on how and why I completed my degree online. I just don’t understand that the Department of Defense and all Military Services support the troops on distance education. And I don’t know why it would be a big deal with the online degrees?

I earned my degree while on the active duty. I was with an Infantry Regiment, and there was no way I can drive myself off base to attend B&M campus. Especially during the operations of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; this gave me minimal choices.

The good thing is my degree from Troy University, and they have several B&M campuses. I don’t know what happens if I earned my degree from a Virtual University such as American Military University, Western Governors University, Northcentral University, Touro University International, and etc.

I had worked for several companies since I transferred to the Reserve. These employers never asked me about my degree even though they saw my resume that I listed I worked at Camp Pendleton, California and as the same time I earned my degree at Troy University, Alabama.

Well, I hope the Officer Candidate School staffs accept my application. It is my dream to be a Marine Officer, and possible risk my life in the combat zone.

 

Good luck on your application to OCS, and thank you for your service to our country!

 

Considering your circumstances of earning a regionally accredited degree online while on active duty, this letter to the board could be a wonderful oportunity to highlight your dedication to personal improvement and accomplishing goals. How many other people in your unit where doing the same thing as you? While others may have been watching TV or at the Bars, your were dedicated to improving yourself as both a man and a Marine. As long as you highlight that the school is fully accreditted, and not some diploma mill, it can only improve your standing amongst the board. It is much easier to get a college degree while going to school full time with mommy and daddy footing the bill than it is to do so while serving full time in the military.

 

If they don't accept your degree, you are free to pursue a commission in the other branches. The Army has accepted distance education for many years; I have to believe that at this time in particular the Army would only be too happy to welcome an officer candidate hoping to pin on the crossed rifles of an infantry officer. Queen of Battle!

Daniel - former MOS 11B

 

I would like to second the comments and suggestions made my mcjon77.

Please consider that the request is probably a legitimate one. I had to write a letter describing why I wanted to attend to each graduate school to which I applied. I did not consider they were questioning my education so much as they were determining my intent and also my ability to compose my thoughts. They were likely also be considering if I was a good match for their school.

What you stated in your post about limited choices and active duty service are excellent points to make.

Good luck to you. Thank you for your service.

 

They cannot reject your regionally accredited degree because they have specific rules on which degrees are or are not acceptede. They could reject you for other reasons though, but your RA degree is good!!! Good luck with OCS!!!

 

As a former 11B [with the coveted CIB], I second the notion that this is an opportunity to amplify your goals and give distance education a "shot in the arm" to boot.

Good luck with your OCS application! I hope you make it.

 

You could ask Troy for their comments on your situation and incorporate their reply in your response.

Also you might find some words you could use here:
https://www.excelsior.edu/portal/page?_pageid=57,382094&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Good Luck.

 

Law schools, for example, usually require a personal statement as to the reason you want to study law and/or attend their institution. So the request from the USMC is not unreasonable nor meant to imply your educational credentials are suspect in any way.

TEKMAN, your reasons stated in your original post would make the basis of an excellent letter to "explain to the members of the board on how and why I completed my degree online." "...I earned my degree while on the active duty. I was with an Infantry Regiment, and there was no way I can drive myself off base to attend B&M campus. Especially during the operations of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom..." I would not mention anything suggesting you chose Troy University due to lack of options; the letter should highlight the positive aspects of your decision to earn an accredited degree - you were serving your country on active duty deployed overseas during a significant portion of that time.

 

TEKMAN, your reasons stated in your original post would make the basis of an excellent letter to "explain to the members of the board on how and why I completed my degree online." "...I earned my degree while on the active duty. I was with an Infantry Regiment, and there was no way I can drive myself off base to attend B&M campus. Especially during the operations of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom..." I would not mention anything suggesting you chose Troy University due to lack of options; the letter should highlight the positive aspects of your decision to earn an accredited degree - you were serving your country on active duty deployed overseas during a significant portion of that time.>>




I want to second what Sentinal is telling you- do not take the "whoa is me....I had no options so I had to settle" attitude!! Tell them why this was your first choice college, why it was a perfect fit for you and an excellent option for others.
While it MIGHT be true that some will question online learning, you are the one they will see as an example of credibility. So, teach em'

P.S. Go to the dept. of education website- over 90% of all public 2 and 4 year colleges in the United States offer online options. To omit online learning from your education would put you at a disadvantage.
It's all in how you frame it.

 

I think we agree more than we disagree. That said, was this really a first choice? Or was this the best choice of those available? This does not have to equate to settling but rather making the best of a situation.


To TEKMAN, only you can decide the best approach for you. Know that people who read these letters will recognize insincerity. By all means focus on the positive aspects of your school and your decision. Avoid negative comments of any kind.

Consider the two following statements stating essentially the same facts:

"I settled for what was available because I had few options."
versus
"I considered what was available and made what I felt to be the best decision."

Both talk about the same situation but one has a negative sound, one a bit more postive.

 

Given all the educational programs available through DANTES, I find this to be an unusual request. How did your OSO ascertain that your degree was earned online?

Dave

 

In my opinion you could rephrase the above statements in a sincere and positive way. In light of my active status in the USMC, including deployments during Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, earning an accredited degree required the scheduling flexibility afforded by Troy University.

Saying, "what I felt to be the best decision" might unconsciously be interpreted as "I feel that I had to settle for Troy University." Not the impression you want anyone reading that letter to take away with them.

Good luck with the Officer Candidate School application.

 

I echo Sentinal's response.

Shawn

 

When composing your statement, find a way to position your choice of an online degree as part of a story of triumph over adversity, making the best of the situation, something like that.

 

I would like to thanks everybody for the inputs. I completed the letter, and I contacted my OSO to verify what information needs to be insite the letter. He said he didn't hear anything from the board about my DistEd degree yet. I believed he asked me to write a letter in case the board would ask for it.

Once again, thank you very much.

Semper Fi,
Henry

 

I'd have to agree with the other posts - it seems a mere precaution they go through... nonetheless, good luck, and let us know how you make out

 

Well, I just want to give everybody an update on my case. I was told by my OSO that I was selected for the Officer Candidate School. So, now I am working on the physical parts before making the snow Angels in Quantico in January 2008.

Once again, thank you very much for everyone's inputs.

Semper Fi,
Henry

 

Cogratulations and all the best for a successful career.

 

Outstanding news - best of luck to you.

Shawn