Distance Learning in Florida. Business and IT

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by mistermister, Jun 10, 2010.

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  1. mistermister

    mistermister New Member

    I have just finished my AA degree in Business Administration at a local community college. Supposedly the largest one in the country. Unfortunately, the local public university has strict rules about residency for in-state tuition. Rules stricter than those found at other state colleges in Florida. I'm tired of being told one thing and then another by advisers, and tired of residency rules changing. I had to move away when I was underage for two years and when I came back, this residency issue has been making my life a nightmare. (I've lived here for 2 years since I came back).

    Anyways, before I turn this into an all out rant...I would like advice/thoughts on a couple of colleges that offer online degrees.

    University of Florida
    They offer a BS in Business Administration. Attractive because of the name recognition. $220 per credit doesn't seem bad if I do in fact get in-state residency. Has proctored exams at testing locations which I think means a fee per test. $$$

    Florida Atlantic University
    Online Bachelor of Business Administration. $200 per credit in-state tuition. I don't have too much info on this one. Not sure if there are proctored exams or if it depends on the course?

    University of West Florida
    UWF - Online Campus - Undergraduate Programs
    Probably the least known and offers two IT degrees which I would be interested in even if I had to take some pre-requisite courses. A lot of the classes I've taken fulfill the requirements apparently. I've always planned on going into an IT related field, and was planning on getting a Management Information Systems degree at the local university which is why I got my AA in Business Administration. This one seems to also be a lot cheaper. I get financial aid so I'm not too worried...

    If I wanted to get into IT, would it be advisable to continue in the Business track and then get certifications? The problem I see is that getting an IT degree might limit my career choices and I'd be a tech. I wouldn't have a problem with that, but I keep reading publications that Business knowledge in IT is very beneficial and that those jobs are on the rise.

    Really looking forward to any advice...
    Thanks
     
  2. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

  3. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    I'm sorry I forgot, FIU's online undergrad tuition is cheap, if you are a Florida resident, currently at $66.33 per credit hour.

    This is from their website:

    Undergraduate Online Courses
    In addition to your regular tuition and university fees the following fees apply:
    Credits Florida Residents
    1 $66.33
    2 $132.66
    3 $199.00
    4 $199.00
    5 $199.00

    Tuition & Fees - FIU Online
     
  4. Fortunato

    Fortunato Member

    I'm assuming you're relatively young, early to mid twenties or so, so the following advice is given in that context. Go to the University of Florida. You are going to have to live the rest of your life with the degree you earn in the next two to three years, and I can guarantee that you will never look back and say, "I wish that I hadn't gone to UF." Go to Gainesville when you can. Go to football games in the fall, Gator Growl before homecoming, baseball games in the spring, and eat a slice of pizza at Leonardo's every chance you get.

    UF's online BSBA program is 15 courses at 4 credits each that must all be taken through UF. It doesn't allow for CLEP or transferring in credits (except for the AA, which is taken as a block to satisfy the lower division requirements). You'll be taking classes from some of the best business professors in the nation. Warrington (UF's business school) is a fantastic school, and the opportunity to study there, even in an online program, shouldn't be passed up.

    FAU and UWF are great schools, and you will be doing yourself no disservice should you earn a degree from either of them. However, I think it is worth the extra $20 per credit hour to go to one of the country's best known universities. Florida residents who go to UF are getting one of the best values in education available anywhere, and I don't think you should let that slip away.

    Best of luck, and let us know what you decide!
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    That is what is in addition to the tuition for online classes. It is 147 per credit plus those fees.
     
  6. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator


    Damn- you make me want to sign up for their BS program!
     
  7. ideafx

    ideafx New Member

    I'm assuming you went to Valencia. You mentioned that you lived in Florida for the past two years. Do you have the documentation required to confirm this (DL, utility bills, renter's lease, etc)? If so, you shouldn't have a problem meeting the residency requirement. You only need to have lived in Florida for at least one year in order to receive the in-state tuition rate.
     
  8. mistermister

    mistermister New Member

    Thanks for the advice, it was very helpful. You were right about your assumption, I am just 20. I have gone to UF as a high school student for a toour and being in Gainesville does seem like a great experience but right now I find it very difficult to move away.

    Also, do you mean I could transfer upper level course credits into a different college and get a degree at that college? I was under the assumption that most of the credits had to be earned at that specific college in order to graduate from there.

    I went to Miami-Dade College. I do have several forms of documentation, but for FIU it does not matter. I can't be classified as a resident for tuition purposes unless I am married, 25, have children etc. Last option is to have the Financial Aid office classify me as an independent and getting a dependency override from them is really difficult unless I have a really "special" situation.
     
  9. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    Finish the PhD, then just do their post-doc bridge program.
     
  10. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    Somewhat related question: I've seen Florida Tech University mentioned here, and have also noticed Google ads for the school. They offer (among several other online programs) a "BA in Business Administration with a specialization in Computer Information Systems". What is Florida Tech's rep in Florida? Considered a "lesser" school than the three listed above? Decent school? Bottom-of-the-barrel? It sounds like tuition is $460/credit! :eek: Just curious.
     
  11. SoldierInGA

    SoldierInGA New Member


    The problem with many of their degrees is that you have to be in Gainesville or in Fl to take their in-class proctored exams. Otherwise, I'd sign up for their online BSBA in a heartbeat as well.
     
  12. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator


    Shhhh....I have another plan....
     
  13. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Yeah, you are working on your second MBA... you are such a degree hog!
     
  14. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator


    No silly, another plan. Try to keep up ;) The second MBA is listed in the sig line and the only reason for that is because 12 credits from my MS-ITM will transfer over to the MBA. I took two classes (finance and service marketing) for personal growth. I realized that just three more classes will give me 18 credits in marketing (which I have experience in since my department falls under Marketing now). Three more after that will round out an MBA in Marketing. That one just became a no-brainer.
     
  15. SE Texas Prof

    SE Texas Prof Member


    I wanted to chime in to support my Alma Mater, Florida Tech. I attended classes at the main campus in Melbourne and I think the university is a gem. It always cracks me up when someone ask about the schools rep. You have to consider what you career aspirations and look at the reputation of the college (school of business) that is conferring your degree. Alumni networks are also important and Florida Tech has quickly become the university of choice for most considering careers in goverment contracting, project management and computer sciences (several grads are military and they have an astronaut or two as part of their alumni corp). Most of their IT/CIS/Engineering grads take jobs locally working for defense contractors, the state of Florida or Kennedy Space Center.

    I loved my experience at Florida Tech and my degree has served me well. If only they'd consider me for an adjunct spot....
     
  16. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    Ditto what SE Texas Prof said. Florida Tech is not so well known, but it is a great school. They also have one of the top commercial diving programs in the country.
     

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