Distance Back To Traditional "Discrimination"?

I'm just finishing up my Bachelor of General Studies at Indiana University and am considering several options for graduate school. Since History is the subject that I am most interested in I am considering the on-line M.A. at Sam Houston State University in Military History but I've also considered TCU's Master of Liberal Arts and Fort Hays State's MLS with a History concentration. (I am not considering CSUDH's HUX program because I really want more interaction with fellow students). My question to the list is in regards to how many of you have felt some type "discrimination" (i.e. - you're looked down upon as less qualified) when going from a distance degree back into the traditional classroom. The reason I ask is because I am considering a Ph.D. in History in the future. As far as distance options go I suppose the SHSU M.A. in History is the best option that would require the least amount of bridge classes, if any at all, depending on the Ph.D. program. So let's suppose I do receive an M.A. in History competely via online education. Does the Ph.D. program I eventually apply at completely hold this against me or do they go by my grades/thesis and the "brick & morter" reputation of the school , in this case respectable, although obviously not nationally known. Further, suppose I started a Ph.D. and the professors instructing me knew my M.A. and a portion of my bachelor's degree was not completed in a traditional class room. How do you think they would react? Would I be seen as a lesser scholar or would they strictly go by the content of my work? I know this is a greatly generalized scenario but I'd appreciate any first hand experiences from traditional Ph.D. students that came from distance master's program, whatever your field of study.

Thanks,

Shawn Knox
Assoc. Business: Tri-County Technical College (SC) '88
Assoc. Paralegal: Greenville Technical College (SC) '97
Bachelor of General Studies: Indiana University '03

 

Don't Ask -- Don't Tell (policy)

You should adopt a "Don't ask -- Don't tell" policy.

No one is going to ask if your degree was traditional or external, unless you graduated from a 100% online university.

I graduated from a traditional bachelor's program, but about 30 of my credits were external. I didn't tell people this fact -- I just submitted the transcripts -- and since no one asked, I didn't tell.

I got my external credits before it was popular to do so. Today, lots of colleges and universities are offering external classes and external degrees. As long as you can provide the RA transcripts or degrees, then that is all you need -- coupled with the cash, the time, the energy and possibly a resume.

 

My guess? They won't even know that it is an online program. Unless it is a quite competitive program, my experience has been that they don't look too closely at transcripts (beyond making sure it's a legitimate transcript from a legitimate school). I think this would be particularly true for something like Sam Houston because most folks likely don't even know that they offer an online master's in history.

As to professors, I've never yet met one that knew anything about any student's educational history that the student didn't reveal. If you don't want them to know, you might consider not telling them.


Tom Nixon

 

They do look...

but it is for the required prereq's not where or how you took them. Unless you get hold of some anti-technology luddite, and they are out there, you should be ok unless you are looking at some elite institutiom. Supposedly, if the American Military University achieves RA they may be offering a Doctorate in Military History.

 

Thanks for the feedback so far everyone. Actually, the answers are as I hoped they would be. I may not have made it clear in the original post but my bachelor's from Indiana U. is actually distance, but only the last 30 credits. My understanding of SHSU is that they do not distinguish on their transcripts since many of those taking the online courses are also resident students and Texas teachers. There is at least one notable person that graduated from Sam Houston State - whether you love him or hate him - and that's Dan Rather. My traditional Ph.D. options are limited probably only to the Univeristy of South Carolina or the University of Georgia. Both of course are well know and I'm sure quite respectable. It would seem hypocritcal for either to discriminate on the basis of technology since both offer a large number of independent distance credit courses, and So. Carolina has at least one graduate program that is distance oriented (Library Science but only within the state, I think.) But I realize it really comes down to the individual professors and the Department Head. I probably won't start until next fall since I need to take the GRE so I'm looking at least 3-5 years before I would be in such a position anyway. Hopefully the prejudices against distance learning will have diminished even more by then. Chris - thanks for the tip on AMU. I've actually been keeping an eye on their accreditation process but I do like some of their options. If I had my choice I would not concentrate in Military History but that appears to be the only option in distance graduate education right now that can get me to where I want to be so I can live with it. Thanks again everyone.

Shawn Knox
Assoc. Business: Tri-County Technical College (SC) '88
Assoc. Paralegal: Greenville Technical College (SC) '97
Bachelor of General Studies: Indiana University '03