Is an Online degree closer to home better than one that is not?

I am currently studying at GGU (Golden Gate) BBA.IT in the Bay Area because this is where I live. Unfortunately the courses that I will taking for the remainder of my program are 16 week traditional courses. I don't care too much for that format. Up until now I was taking 8 week courses with them but not all courses are 8 week. My advisor did a road map to completion for me and it looks like I won't be done until mid 2013. Mind you I started at GGU in 1/2010 and I came in with an Associates of Art in Business and 36 upper division units in Business Administration. I was looking into Indiana Tech online and they offer accelerated courses (5 week format) and I could be done by early 2012. My only concern is that I reside in the Bay Area and my employer might question my degree. What would you do if you were in my situation?

 

Always go with the closer option unless:

1) The program outside the area is vastly superior in reputation and more tailored to your needs.

2) The program in your area is vastly more expensive.

3) You plan to relocate frequently.

 

Two reasons for choosing the college close to home are:

1) Your enrollment probably gives you access to services like the library, the athletic facilities and other on-campus events.
2) You could make arrangements to meet your Professors (unless it's an online part-timer) and attend any Departmental activities.

 

Just a suggestion for your signature line - for the pending BS degree you should have an image of a slot machine and you pulling the arm to see what school appears in the windows...just a thought. So if you are not you this week, who are you?

 

Does that mean you need another 24 units?

Have you asked them for an opinion? I doubt they would care - it is what you do for your employer that counts usually.

I would look at some other options such as Excelsior or COSC - you can probably finish within a year and at reasonaly low cost - especially if you include some CLEP/DSST exams.

Just my $0.02.

 

So I assume since you were doing well with the 8 week terms (16 week course stuffed into a 8 week term) that you have doubled up on whatever course load you were taking in that format? If you are planning on doing this why is the graduation date being put so far back?

 

Unless you plan on staying in California, then it doesn't really matter. If you were planning on staying in Cali, then a regional degree would probably help you the most.

 

GGU is quite expensive at $570 per unit (unless your company is paying your tuition). I say go for a lower cost degree and use the savings for a graduate degree.

This BSBA at CSU East Bay has tuition of $275 per unit
http://www.ce.csueastbay.edu/degree/bsba/index.shtml

 

I totally agree. GGU is a great school, but so is CSEB. You can't really go wrong, and because GGU is private and CSEB is public you'll save a ton of money.

 

A Business undergrad degree is sort of generic, like a cheeseburger. Sure, there are some fabulous cheeseburgers out there, but most are similar enough to each other that if one isn't to your liking, another will do.

Phillip

 

So you came into the program at GGU with 96 credits out of 128 (number mostly required for Bach) and its going to take you 3 years to complete? Even if all that got counted was your associates at 60 credits that still would only leave you with 68 credits.... just trying to make the math make sense in my head...

To the original question-
I say close to home unless your going to move around or not stay in that area. I second what everyone else has already said!

 

Well the reason it is taking me so long is... M-A-T-H. Although I completed Algebra in my Associates degree, GGU said I earned a C, so I have to start fresh from the beginning! Intro. to Algebra. I was very upset and my advisor told me I have to take 5 semesters of math!!! Begining Spring 11. Not all of my courses were accepted into GGU, I had to retake Marketing for the 3RD time as well! UGH

 

Unfortunately my employer does not offer tuition reimbursement. All grants,loans and scholarships (which I lost because I didn't maintain my 3.4 GPA). I'm afraid that I might not qualify for anymore Federal or stafford loans because the GGU degree is quite expensive. I looked at my account history for last year and the total spent was $ 30,000and that was ONLY for 1 year so if I stay until mid 2013 I'll be spending $90,000 on a BS degree!! I don't know if I like the sound of that. YIKES!

 

That is an interesting way of looking at that, lol.

 

You only say that because you never ate a Burger at Pearl's Deluxe Burgers here in San Francisco! If you did, you'd never say such nonsense that every burger is similar to another! Those Burgers are awesome and one of a kind!

 

A lot of things a better just by virtue of being in San Francisco.

 

Most burgers are close enough. The curve has two tails :wink:

 

For that matter, Excelsior is only more or less substitutable for CSU East Bay, which looks like a fine school. EC may still win on time or cost, but I would fully vet CSBEG before deciding.

Phillip