all you current online learners ....

Greetings! A few questions for anyone currently enrolled in an online or distance learning degree:

When you decided to enroll, what were the most important criteria to you in making your selection? Time to completion, cost, prestige of the institution, accreditation, student support services, etc.

How many schools did you consider - did you have many from which to choose? I assume that most people know what type (i.e. level - associate's, bachelor's, master's, etc.) of degree they want to pursue, as well as a general idea of what disclipine (business, liberal arts, education, etc.) Did anyone begin their search without knowing what degree/what area they wanted to study? I'm trying to broaden my notions of what the thought process of someone considering distance learning "looks" like.

Any thoughts you might wish to share would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

I lurked on this site and its predecessor for about 2 years before I selected Baker College for an MBA. My selection criteria included RA, relatively low cost and ease of navigating Baker's Web site.

I did about the same thing when I selected Northcentral for their PhD program.

You will find that there are both negative and positive postings on this forum, regardless of the school you are interested in.

The best to you as you make your selection.

Bill H

 

The factors that I looked at now are cost, time to completion, course availability, accreditation and customer service.

Now some may look at time to completion and course availability as the same thing, but I don't. When I think of time to completion I think of the number of classes needed to complete the degree and the transfer possibilities. Course availability is looking at how regularly they offer the courses needed to complete the program. I usually do not look favorably on programs that don not offer all of their courses at least once per year. They could have a generous transfer policy, but that's doesn't mean much if you aren't able to take the other courses that you need.

I was initially looking for a MA/MS program in transportation/logistics. I wasn't looking at an MBA because I already have one. I found four options, and chose APUS based on cost, and their transfer policy. The courses that I have taken have been good, but they do not offer all of their courses every year. What's even more frustrating is the fact that the courses that they do not offer are exactly what I wanted to take. I am left with taking some elective courses that I am not necessarily interest in.

It is interesting that you bring this up. I am about to complete the APUS program by the end of this year, and have been looking for a program that interests me. I had no particular preference other than it be a subject that interests me. It does not have to be job related. I have basically narrowed my choice to one of four programs.

1. MS Legal Studies program at California University of PA
http://www.cup.edu/graduate/legal/index.jsp

2. MS Studies of the Future at the University of Houston
http://b3308-adm.cl.uh.edu/FutureWeb/

3. MA National Security Studies at APUS
http://www.apu.apus.edu/Academics/Degree-Programs/program.htm?progid=3853&program_type=Masters

4. MS Science and Technology Commercialization
http://msstc.ic2.org/

This one has a residency requirement at the beginning of the program.
It is also much more expensive than the others, but since I am looking at getting back into this area of work it just might be the best ticket for me.

 

Just curious: Why do you want to broaden your knowledge? Are you looking to enroll? Are you working on an article about Distance Ed and you're looking for material for that?

I'd be happy to add my experiences, however, I'm curious as to why you are asking.

 

tmartca and Tom, thanks for sharing!

gbrogan - I am enrolled in an online master's degree in instructional technology. This semester, for an independent study, I am teaching a core course in the IT program. I am writing a reflection paper for my advisor about my online teaching experience and got off on a tangent thinking about the reasons that adult/non-traditional learners pursue online education. So ... this info really is for me personally.

Thanks everyone!

 

Thanks Godess. I only asked because I responded once to a post asking for info similar to this only to find out later that the person was writing a magazine piece on distance learners. It bothered me that they weren't forthcoming when they asked the question. It wasn't on this board but a similar one.

I was not in a position to pay for my A.S. program even though it was not very expensive (around $4k) so cost was a factor in that I wasn't sure how much my employer would be willing to pay.

Time was a big deal for me. When I first enrolled and thought I'd have my degree in 18 months it sounded like 10 years away. Even while doing coursework I kept thinking, "I'm never gonna finish this...." eventually though, I did. I knew about accreditation somewhat and tried to stay out of the NA vs RA argument threads because frankly NA was all I could afford. It never entered my mind to care about prestige and support services.

When I was looking at schools' websites and what they offered vis-a-vis distance degrees-- having never attended any college at all-- I was completely and totally confused and frustrated trying to figure out the pricing. Credit hours, quarter credit hours, thsi fee, that fee, etc. I had no idea what any of those things meant. When I found Ashworth, it gave me a price for the first semester that included books. It was easily understood and I enrolled. The only other school I considered was Education Direct which is now Penn Foster. I dismissed them immediately when I saw that my degee would say Center for Degree Studies on it. I wanted a college on my degree.

I knew I wanted a computer degree because I work in the field and have for a long time. However, I knew that if I wanted to move forward to a BS, I'd have to steer away from a computer degree because I am not able to do programming. I'm just not able to grasp it. My AS degree had a few programming classes and they were torture. There was no way I'd make it through. When I graduated from Ashworth, I moved on to CCU's Business program, again because of pricing concerns mostly, but their program seemed very similar to Ashworth's.

I'm about five courses in (17 to go!) at CCU and am loving it. It's similar in format to Ashworth but it's harder. Each course has four unit exams of 25 questions each and then a 100 question final exam. There are also writing assignments with each course.
My dealings with their customer service department have been smooth and I find their systems to be well set up.

After I graduate from CCU I will be very torn. I'd like to stay with them and continue on with their Masters in Education Administration or Curriculum and Learning degree but I don't think I can teach with an NA degree. I haven't found any schools online that offer a similar degree that is RA. I'll worry about that when I graduate.

Hope that was helpful.

 

The main thing for me is that:

1.) The degree can be completed 100% online
2.) The program is affordable
3.) CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! Can't stress that enough for online stuff.

4.) That the program is flexible on transfer credits
5.) The majors and concentrations
6.) The courses themselves
7.) The accreditation of the school/program
8.) How good their football team is (kidding)

 

Hi Gbrogan, and Godess:

I too am a student at CCU. I am in the Business Management program, B.S. I agree, the customer service at CCU is great! The turn around time on email questions, mailing of materials,etc. is just incredible. And yes, I am well versed in the whole NA versus RA issue. This B.S. degree works for me.

Anyway, let me give you some background information. I received an A.A. from and RA B&M college. I was a college student at said college for about ten years while working full time. The road to receive my A.A. was not easy. I have a 102.5 credits from this Community College, though many of them are spread out in various disciplines. I have 18 S.H. from the University of Iowa DL program, 4QH from UCLA, and labor law coursework from UCI.

Suffice it to say, I have been a student in one form or another since 1984. Currently at CCU, I have 7 classes I have to complete, and two that I can challenge. I was given credit for various classes and experience for 1 class after submitting a portfolio that was about 3 inches thick!

I agree with Gbgrogan, the classes at CCU are certainly no cake walk! Damn!

Anyway, currently my quest to complete my B.S. is coming to a close. I currently seek a B.S. in order to qualify for more positions at my workplace. I work for government, and the possesion of any "recognized" degree will qualify me for somthing completely different than what I am currently doing. What do I mean by this? In government, experience is usually bypassed by posssesion of a 4 year degree. They will then train you in the given discipline they require. This may not be the case in all Government agencies, but it is the case in mine. I am happy in my current position, and have seniority. I guess you could say I don't really need a 4 year degree at this point. However, I have been around long enough to know things change. It is better to be prepared ahead of time, in case my department is downsized. I figure I will have more choices as to what department I can go to, rather than have the choice made for me because I do not have a four year degree.

Godess, as far as your question. I have alternated between Liberal Studies and Business. To be honest, it has never mattered to me what my degree is in. I currently have an A.A., plus coursework from other well known schools. I am also State certified in the Spanish Language. Over the years, I have received many awards. I have extensive experience in the private sector as well. My resume has never really hindered my, I am very good at molding myself to whatever position I am seeking. I currently look forward to listing a B.S. on my resume.

Gotta go hit the books! Another CCU alumni, JNelson, is currently in the NCU DBA program! Good for him.


See ya,


Abner

 

Re: Re: all you current online learners ....

Excuse the words not written correctly. Oops!



Abner