Strictly online school?

Here is a quick background: I am planning on moving with my fiance next year to his military base in germany. I love traveling and I love Europe so this is a fantastic opportunity. I would like to continue my education so my question is, is there an accredited, stictly online school that I could eventually transfer my credits to a european college if I decide to stay living there. I would like to get my degree in history and education eventually so an associates in psychology or education or even generals is all good. Thanks so much for your help.

 

I don't know specifically how US college credits transfer into German universities but I'd be willing to bet there wouldn't be any substantial problem. You'll have quite a few choices of US programs as some of your areas of interest are well represented in online college programs (specifically education and psychology). I'm sure that our members will be sending you some names/links to these schools.

 

Most of the programs people talk about here are strictly online. It is irrelevant whether the school is online only as long as the program is, right? As a military (spouse), the University of Maryland and American Military University are two options that immediately come to mind, but there are countless of schools.

What education have you had thus far? The biggest difference between American colleges and most European ones is that in Europe, there are usually no general education (lower division) classes other than ones directly relevant to your major.

Upper division credits (400 level) and graduate credits transfer pretty painlessly, lower division stuff is often not considered college level. But if you have a US high school diploma plus a bunch of college credits, you have good chances to get accepted into a German degree program if your German is good enough. That would be an excellent experience for you. There are few programs designed for working adult students, but it sounds like you have the time to actually go to classes. By and large, college is cheap in Germany, most schools are decent, some are outstanding.

Which area would you be moving to?

 

Any accredited schools would do, but for safety go for regional accredited agency. Is your fiancee new in the service?

 

Bonus: Some bigger bases, like Ramstein have their own testing centers for CLEP or Dantes. These are otherwise quite often hard to find in Europe.

 

I have a hunch that a UK school might be your best bet such as the University of London
http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/prospective_students/undergraduate/index.php
or one of the other UK universities offering online degrees.

There are several US colleges/universities that pay special attention to service people and their spouses including APUS/AMU and Excelsior College.

Keep in mind your fiancee could be moved anywhere in the world at relatively short notice.

 

I have all of my highschool credits as well as a few college generals. we aren't sure were he is going to be based yet because he is still brand spanking new in the service but it is looking like ramstein as listed is where we will be going. thank you guys so much for all of your help.

 

With that in mind you might want to look at the Open University (UK).

http://www.open.ac.uk/

 

Ramstien has Central Texas College Embry-Riddle and UMUC on it. In addition to the classes you can take on Ramstien, all three have strong distance learning programs.

 

For information here is the OU page that has information for students living outside of the UK.
http://www.open.ac.uk/new/study-overseas.shtml

 

In addition to Central Texas College and UMUC, there's also University of Oklahoma and Troy University. Both maintain branch campuses in USAREUR/USAFE. And yes, they offer plenty of online classes.

CTC will probably come out cheapest on tuition at $390 - $520 per class. If you are a TX resident, you can possibly pay much less than the rates I quoted. UMUC has special rates for MD residents, perhaps.

Also check into spousal scholarship opps. CTC advertised one such program recently.

Ramstein Air Base and Germany have lots to offer. I've visited the installation many times, including early 2006 upon returning from Iraq, and lived over there for 11 years.

Truthfully, considering the existing US support system in Germany, our wired world, and costs for the UK schools, I see no reason practical reason for attending anything other than an accredited university based in the US.

 

I believe that Open University has a very limited number of programs available for americans. Perhaps this has changed?

 

No, it hasn't changed, but the original poster will soon move to Germany. Virtually all OU degrees are available in Germany since the Open University cooperates with testing sites at German universities.

mintaru.