Your Challenge: Change My Mind

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Maniac Craniac, Sep 20, 2010.

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  1. imalcolm

    imalcolm New Member

    I think you are challenging us to do exactly the opposite... ;)
     
  2. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    Yes, linguistics! Like you, I would probably pull the trigger on a DL BA/BS in Linguistics. However, this option does not exist in the USA and the overseas options are not all that appealing to me.

    I'll have to look into the AOTC option. Thanks.

    I think the social science major is a bit generic. However, that is a very weak arguement for why you should not pursue this major, and it certainly does nothing to convince you to not pursue a degree program from UofWy.
     
  3. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I agree that its generic, but it sounds a whole lot nicer than General Studies, and it does allow me to study several of my favorite subjects. I can also complete it rather quickly, given the ammount of correspondence courses and clep i could take.
     
  4. I think UNC has a bachelor of arts in sociology online. Is it too expensive for you?
     
  5. djacks24

    djacks24 New Member

    If your primary motive is to find a job in the field, I wouldn't count on it, or for any other job unless the requirement is a bachelors degree in anything. But if you are doing it just for personal interest and enlightenment, then by all means it sounds good.
     
  6. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I have no interest in a job in the field (that would require at least a master's and more realistically a doctorate anyway), and I have no specific need for it to get a job. Professionally, it will enhance my resume and allow me to negotiate for higher rates with my clients, but I would still be able to work either way. Also, it would be a check-in-thebox in the process for allowing me to be eligible for further certification.

    Yes, I chose Social Science out of interest in the subject(s), and the fact that I work in a human service field makes it somewhat apropos. I am also considering the dual degree in business because of the added versatility, the valuable business knowledge I could acquire, and the in-your-face I could do with clients who think I don't know how to read a contract or invoice (normally, I have to point out the fact that I am a fully functioning adult who has known how to read English for decades, but hey, it would be cool to also throw in "I have a degree in business....WHAM!").
     
  7. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    [​IMG]

    University of Wyoming sounds like a good school and would look equally good on your resume. The price sounds right too :) But since we are supposed to talk you out of it. Why, again, are you not making an effort to attend a school in your area? If you are looking for a good bullet on your resume I would think that having graduated from your local university would look better than DL from another school. Remember that we here in Dinfo live in a bubble. A distance learning rocks! bubble. Your typical resume reader might still have bias and think less of an online/dl degree.

    For resume filler, which lets face it is all about outside show and recognition from others, you would be better served with getting a more recognizable degree. Good luck!
     
  8. *Puts on psychologist hat* I am not sure he really wants to have his mind changed. I think he's made up his mind and wants validation of his decision.

    *Puts on jaded DegreeInfo user hat* I agree that a local university's program is probably ideal for most situations. This is why I asked what state he was in but he never responded out of supposed privacy concerns.

    *Puts on beer hat*

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Local programs are a lot more expensive, and are mostly limited to degrees I am not even remotely interested in.

    Partly why I decided on doing my BA from a B&M that offers DL. I won't hide the fact that I studied by DL, but I also won't make an effort to announce it to the world. I am, however, an advocate of DL and will tell anyone that I feel would benefit from knowing about it.

    If the local aspect were to play any factor at all, it would be in the short term, with my current clients. The more time goes by, the more removed I am from the conferral date (which I don't put on my resume anyway, but of course will be on the transcripts) and the antiDLists would have less reason to say "huh? But you live and work in such-and-such-a-place!"
     
  10. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    True. I thought that was obvious. I just want to make sure I didn't look over anything, because I don't want to change my mind later. If any mind-changing is to occur, I want it done now :)
     
  11. Better to change your mind now than after you enroll. Good luck in whatever you decide.
     
  12. djacks24

    djacks24 New Member

    I think there are many factors involved. On the plus side it is a State University, so the usual bias against DL may be curbed momentarily. However, for someone who takes a closer look, seeing the University of Wyoming, while seeing nothing else showing you've ever even passed through there physically may reawaken these perceptions. I live in a huge college area where just about everyone I've talked to or any resume I've seen has a local university listed, so in that case I'm very glad I went local. Folks around here may think silently to themselves, "what is wrong with them that they couldn't cut it locally?" But again, that is an area based view. I can totally see an interviewer bringing up the University of Wyoming, then asking "So how did you like it out there?" Then the awkward truth will need to be told.

    EDIT: At the graduate level, I think the above perceptions are more faded, but seeing as this is an undergrad degree...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 21, 2010
  13. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I don't understand why everyone is so high on local schools. Most of my college-bound high school classmates were eager to NOT go local. Most everyone went to college out of state and then came right back here to go to work.

    What awkward truth? If I am happy with my degree, then I will have no reason to act ashamed of it.

    Interviewer: How did you like it out there?
    Maniac: It's a great school, and I enjoyed my time with them thoroughly. However, I did not take any of my courses with them on-campus. They have a remote student program which allowed me to complete my studies while still working locally.
     
  14. PatsGirl1

    PatsGirl1 New Member

    OMG I can't even catch my breath from that pic! lol priceless!
     
  15. There's two kind of people in this world... those who love pictures of cats with clever captions on them and those who don't.

    I am the latter kind. :D
     
  16. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Besides, it's been years since I've even had an interview and the ones I had in the past were mere formality. They took one look in my resume, found out that I am certified and were ready to hire me before they ever even called me up.

    When it comes to finding work, the only benefit from the degree will be the "Ok, good, you have one." that some of my clients would say.
     
  17. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    [​IMG]
     
  18. tiffer

    tiffer New Member

    Heehee kittehs!

    Oh yeah, and I think that your plan is awesome. Good school and program, awesome price. :)

    *goes back to giggling at the kitteh pics*
     
  19. GoodYellowDogs

    GoodYellowDogs New Member

    Wow - just glanced at it and was thinking maybe I'd switch... then I saw that Stats was required. I'm going to be lucky to get through Aleks intermediate algebra!

    Is it possible to take their online courses or correspondence courses without enrolling? The tuition is almost as low as LSU.

    Oh, and BTW, I like dogs and cats with captions!
     
  20. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Well, you lose. I applied today, after about 4 straight hours of more research.

    Due to their exam acceptance policy, it looks like I'm going to lose some of the credit that I thought I had, which stinks! However, I have compared them to several other programs and came to the conclusion that even with the lost credits, I will save more money and more time by going with UofWy than with any other option, anywhere. Well, I mean, I could get a degree more quickly with Excelsior, however, it would end up being more expensive.

    So, there it is, my degree of choice, after several month of research into various programs, is the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from the University of Wyoming.
     

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