I need your advice-please help me narrow down a program

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Adoncia, Aug 1, 2008.

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  1. Adoncia

    Adoncia New Member

    After going through all the SHRM colleges (the link was given to me on this site-Thanks so much) I found a couple of them in and around my area. One being Stony Brook, they have a completely online Masters in Human Resources program that I was interested in. Its total tuition being about
    $14,000.
    I also looked up Mercy College as that had a nice program and allowed online students to attend every weekend. This was way too pricey for me though so I was hooked onto Stony Brook and was almost decided about their MS program. They do not hold any job fairs or campus recruitments, not even for their full time students, so my we that is a negative. But I thought I could get their diploma and try on my own.
    I am not unsure today though as I just called them and found out that they mention that the course is totally taken online on their diploma. I am wondering if that would totally hurt my chances as I do not have any experience in human resources work.

    I need someone here to advice me. I have always been helped in this forum and God bless all of you here. I am a housewife with a BS in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College. I do not see myself as having any particular talents or interests. I know I like designing but I do not want to make that a career as of now. I have a supportive husband who's recently got a job in NY and we have moved to Jersey. My husband would like me to do a program that would help me get a job immediately. He says he can spend about maximum 15,000 on my program as he too has many student loans to cover.
    I am totally frustrated being a housewife and I want to be out- studying or working. I am looking for a program- an MS or MBA that is part time, even better is it is part online and part campus, shorter in duration, does not require the GMAT. I do somewhere in my mind want to take the GMAT and apply to bigger schools after a year or two, but for now I need I want to start something. The program I am looking for should be in Human Resources. Something that will help me land a job, even a low paying job. I do not want it to be mentioned that I am a DL student as I have no US work experience.
    I am looking at areas around Jersey city, New York City etc.
    There are some good programs but most require the GMAT and if they are part time their duration is about 2-3 yrs.
    I need help in this situation. I have posted many times asking about Median Management and when a person on this board asked me what I wanted to do after that I realized that I didnt know. I can write a little on fashion but that should not make me want to go for an MBA in it. I also was looking at Metropolitan College of NY but not only are they too expensive and have classes just once every weekend, they are not even AASCB certified.

    I prefer Masters programs more than MBA because that leaves with an option for a future MBA without being frowned upon, but if someone knows a good MBA that fits my too narrowed down criteria, please let me know.

    Thanks so much, I will be grateful if you can help

    Adoncia
     
  2. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    Have you compared the courses between the on-campus and online diploma? If there is no difference, I would ask the school to explain their rationale for the explicit distinction on the diploma.

    Human resources jobs are all too frequently filled by persons with degrees in anything except human resources. So, a diploma/degree from Stony Brook whether earned on-campus or distance education would be beneficial.

    Is Stony Brook located near your home allowing you to enroll in their on-campus programme but complete most of the courses via distance education - then you would have no reference to "online" on the diploma if that really bothers you. Maybe you could earn the Masters in Human Resources degree via distance education and volunteer at an employment placement centre or similar community group which would give you some experience in human resources issues.

    Best of luck!
     
  3. Adoncia

    Adoncia New Member

    Thanks that makes sense. I called them today. They didnt have a proper answer to why they would mention it in the diploma but they did say I could tranfer from online to on-campus if I need to.
     
  4. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    My thoughts...

    With your BA and your desire to work in HR, but no real experience plus your need to get started soon, I'd go for a certificate program. My reasoning is that since you have no real driving passion, you may get in the door somewhere and find you want to pursue a different career target.

    I would think the eCornell certificate would be great for you. http://www.ecornell.com/catalog/certificates/ilrhrc1.jsp

    Here's my reasoning. It is a GREAT name if you are in NY (or anywhere for that matter), it's not too expensive ($5499) and you can complete it quickly. You leave open the possibility of a MBA or MS later and you can get a job sooner.

    I would start the certificate and then join the local chapter of HR Society. When I joined, they had a "student membership" for which you should qualify. Then go to some of their networking or career events. You could also do some "informational interviews" and some online networking.

    For jobs, you may need to start as a general office worker in a HR department and get some experience and contacts that way. Emphasize your computer, internet and research background. Also, a lot of companies pay tuition for employees, especially banks, large companies etc. If you get a job, they may pay for all or part your future Masters.

    If you get the Masters now, you may miss out on some lower-level experience that will help you get a better job later. It looks like some friends, contacts and experience would be a great help to you since you haven't had a job in the US.

    Good luck and let us know how it goes for you.
     
  5. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    My institution, Sullivan University, offers associate, bachelors and masters degree programs and 4 certificate programs in Human Resources Leadership. All of the programs can be taken completely online. Sullivan is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). As you are considering your options, you may wish to check it out http://www.sullivan.edu/e-learning
     
  6. Adoncia

    Adoncia New Member

    Thanks so much. It makes sense to go for a certificate program to test the water.
    I have also looked up the Baruch certificate program which is cheaper-$3800 and I can attend their classes once a week.
    What do you think?
     
  7. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    One of the great things about Degreeinfo is that people find out that there really is a wealth of choices available and can find the program that best suits thier needs. I know quite a few people who want a hybrid/blended program (part online and part face-to-face) because they want the opportunity for social and intellectual interaction with other grown-ups. In this way, the college or university fulfills more than just their educational needs. This is definitely a legitimate role for higher education institutions. Other people desire the flexibility of a fully online program.

    It sounds as though your needs are the former and the Baruch program may be just the right fit.
     
  8. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    Yes, I agree that the Baruch certificate program sounds like a good fit. If you can go to class once a week, that's all the better in terms of getting contacts. Your instructors and/or classmates are good sources of information about jobs too.
     
  9. Adoncia

    Adoncia New Member

    Thank you so much. All this advice makes so much sense. I am looking at this issue with an entirely different perspective now.
    I forgot to mention that I am on a dependent visa. I will need H1 sponsorship to get a job. How tough do you think this would make my chances of landing a job after doing the certificate program.
     
  10. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    That's a harder question that is outside my scope of expertise. I've hired H-1B skilled workers but that's different.

    Is your status going to remain H1 or can you change it?

    You might look for some type of internship while you're in school if you can't find a sponsor while you're studying. You could also check with the college's work-study office.
     
  11. BrandeX

    BrandeX New Member

    If you go with eCornell, they are also ACE reviewed courses, which could assist you if you were looking to transfer in to a different graduate program later.
     
  12. Adoncia

    Adoncia New Member

    Thanks Mbaonline. Doing an internship is a great idea. What is a college's work study office? Yes I will have to stay on H4 which is dependent visa while I am doing the course.
    Brandex, Your information about the ACE approval is helpful. I am not trying to find out if Baruch's courses are ACE approved too. I still have to make a decision between the two and the only reason I am leaning on Baruch is because they have classes that meet every week.
    Thanks,
    Adoncia
     

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