Is Boston University a prestigious school?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jude84, Dec 11, 2011.

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  1. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    Bruce, would you consider that is the case for most of the MET programs?
     
  2. dcb188

    dcb188 Member

    Jude, still waiting to hear from my friend in Richmond who teaches at BU every summer (history department) as a visiting professor. I'll let you know as soon as he gets in touch with me or comes on here himself......
     
  3. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I don't know enough about the other programs to offer an opinion, other than the exorbitant cost prices them out of most people's budgets. When I saw their MCJ program was run by a private company in Florida, that turned me off of them.
     
  4. dcb188

    dcb188 Member

    I'm amazed at how expensive some of these schools/programs are. Not surprised but amazed.
     
  5. mark74

    mark74 New Member

    I have a BS from BU's School of Management done the traditional brick and mortar, on campus route and a MS from BU's Metropolitan College done online (in Computer Information Systems) so I am very familiar with Boston University from a couple of perspectives, including Metropolitan College and BU Online.

    I did not have the same experience as Bruce regarding administration - the CIS program was run by BU in all facets that I saw.

    While Metropolitan College does have a Computer Science department (which the CIS program is part of), I generally agree with what Bruce describes about research. While most of the professors in the MET Computer Science department did seem to be involved in research at least to some degree, I think research is much less of a focus than in the Computer Science department in BU's College of Arts and Sciences. And while I believe 8 of my 10 profs had PhDs and were full time BU faculty members, there is more use of part time adjuncts than in the other (traditional) BU colleges, particularly as "facilitators" who generally serve the role traditional TAs would. The programs in MET are generally much more professionally focused and I thought all the professors and facilitators were more than qualified to teach those type of classes.

    Related to this professional focus, I think the CIS (and probably PM) degree is a good choice for someone who is going to work in IT and wants to learn more and get a solid credential. In general, MET would not be as good a choice if your future goals were academic. For example, while a thesis option was available, I looked into it and thought it would be a difficult way to go with getting an advisor, committee, etc. Of those who I knew who graduated, none took that option.

    I thought the program was very good overall. I learned a great deal and I think the BU name is strong enough that it eliminates any stigma that may exist to it being done online (justifiably so, because I felt that program was up to the BU standards that I was accustomed to from my prior experience there).

    While it is expensive (it was around 32K for my degree), many programs from schools of similar reputation seemed to be in the same ballpark. This was not a real issue for me due to tuition reimbursement covering most of it, but it certainly is a big factor otherwise.
     
  6. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    Mark, are MET students full members if the BU community? I wouldn't mind going up there a semester and fully engaging in all that BU has to offer in terms of networking, meeting professors and extra curricular activities.

    How is the BU alumni network? Did you get a sense that it was really active and that the BU name carries a lot of weight in New England and NYC?
     
  7. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    Mark, if someone wanted to take advantage of everything BU has to offer, would they be able to find amazing opportunities?

    I mean does it offer much in terms of networking, internships, extra-curricular activities, etc. I am just wondering if it opens as many opportunities as an Ivy.

    I am thinking about doing a semester on campus and just hitting the ground running taking advantage of all the school has to offer.
     
  8. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    8/10 faculty members being full-time is a damn good ratio for what is essentially a continuing education program!

    Just to re-state, my research into the B.U. Metropolitan College was strictly limited to their Master of Criminal Justice program which was, as of several years ago, administered by a private company in Florida. I would be thrilled to hear that B.U. has taken it over, but with the caveat I mentioned that the "regular" B.U. doesn't have a Criminal Justice Department.
     
  9. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    Mark, would you say that BU is a school with some amazing opportunities? If someone were to take advantage of all it had to offer would it open a lot of doors? I am thinking about doing a semester on campus.
     
  10. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    I propose this question to anyone familiar with the school, not just Mark. Thanks
     
  11. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Like Bruce I was born and raised in the Boston area. Overall Boston University has a great reputation. It's also pretty expensive. The Metropolitan College may have a somewhat diminished rep but the BU brand carries a lot of weight, not just locally, but nationally. If I could afford it I'd be happy to have a degree from BU but since I don't play the lottery I don't see that as a real possibility. I don't know which degree you're considering but there's almost certainly less expensive options. A suggest that you evaluate the ROI before buying in.
     
  12. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    Money is not the biggest concern for me, not that I am rich, but I have good work prospects in my home state.

    I just wanted to get out of the South and see if a top notch Northeast school would open doors. I was hoping to save money and do most of it online but I really want the BU experience too.

    ROI is especially what I am evaluating and why I am asking so many questions. Like some have said, "it's not about where you went to school, but what you did there". I was wondering if the opportunities at BU are some of the same or similar opportunities one can expect to find at a top northeast college?
     
  13. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    As far as online programs, you're not likely to find many others that carry near the horsepower that the Boston University name does....if name cache is what you're after, and you're willing to pay for it, I think B.U. is an attractive option for you.
     
  14. dcb188

    dcb188 Member

    And I promise not to mention Suffolk University in the same sentence again. Just kidding.
    That friend of mine got in touch with me, jude, and said he will contact you via PM, he's the one who teaches history at BU in the summer sessions every year......
     
  15. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    It's really not name cache I am after but what opportunities the school has to offer. I mean within the school not just when I graduate. I am looking for internships, networking, attending amazing lectures, etc.
     
  16. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    In a word, yes.
     
  17. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    You realize that you're on a distance learning board, right? You're talking like you plan to be on campus for this degree. You're not going to be "attending amazing lectures, etc."
     
  18. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    I was under the impression that this particular program was mixed; both campus and online.
     
  19. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    OK, I don't know if that's the case or not but you're saying that you're planning to move to Boston?
     
  20. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    Kizmet, I am sure that the program is mixed and one can attend classes on campus for a semester.

    The point was I could move to Boston for a semester, yes.
     

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