I do "online school" research for friends and..

I sign up for a Masters Program, what!

Lately as some of you know from answering my questions I have been doing research for my co-workers, friends, and even wife (again) for "online school" (PHD for her). So what did I do, I enrolled an in MS program... Oh boy here we go again.

I transferred in 12 graduate credits and the program calls for 37 hence I have 25 left to complete. It should not be that bad.

It's a Nationally Accredited University, and a great program (so I am told by federal employees that have graduated). Many people I have spoken with have been through this and say it's spot on in this field.

They REQUIRE 40% proctored exams, and a bunch of writing, oh joy mfg:

It's Columbia Southern University in Alabama. Actually, I went and saw the school offices when I was at Fort Rucker AL recently. It's not in a strip mall, lol. It looks really nice actually.

What sold me on the National vs Regional programs is the government accepts NA 110%, I get the schooling for free POST 9/11 GI BILL, and NA programs in general have 99% field specific courses. Without all the extra elective type classes.

To be honest I am not really interested in taking stats again, or executive accounting, blah blah. The NA programs get right to the point and I like that. My undergrad and Associates are both RA, so this one I do for me and no other reason.

So far the customer service has been great, the evaluation went well and I had the results in a few days. They send the books automatically, 8 week classes. While searching their site I saw all the federal, state, and local, learning partners as well as the corporate organizations affiliated with them. Many municipal fire departments are there too.

Take care!

 

I'm shocked that no one has yet come in and:

-Tried to steer you to a "Big 3" school.

-Used either an overt or covert approach of scaring you into thinking that if you get an NA degree you will be cut off from society, you will be ridiculed for all eternity, and forced to work in the coal mines day and night without break for 5 cents an hour for the rest of your natural life.

-Asked you for some kind of "proof" of some sort, not because it's even necessary and not because anything you said actually warrants the need for it, but because you mentioned what you see as merit in an NA program. If it was RA you wouldn't be asked however, because RA programs in totality are above reproach in every single way, and are clearly a deity worthy of unquestioned worship and undying servitude.

... but perhaps you haven't been sent into that abyss because it's still early.

Anyway, Columbia Southern has a very good reputation. You've made a good choice, and I wish you well.

 

I know Columbia Southern University is located in a big building. Do they occupy the building by themselves or sharing with other business owners? The institution has huge area for expansion....

The good thing that sometimes you can pretend to missing "SOUTHERN" in your resume. lol :sgrin:

Could not agree more!

 

They've come a long way from the time that their only accreditation was from the terrible Accrediting Commission International. Changing their name and pursuing (and getting) recognized accreditation was a smart move.

 

Columbia Southern is one of the largest and most successful DETC-accredited schools. If a nationally accredited degree works in your situation, then Columbia Southern seems like a safe choice.

One interesting thing about them: apparently they have been unusually successful in marketing their programs overseas, particularly in Vietnam. In many less developed nations, there is lots of demand for college degrees, American degrees are perceived as particularly prestigious, and Columbia Southern is one of the few US schools that is both available by DL and potentially affordable by local standards.

According to the Columbia Southern website, the school has an official "International Representative" in Hanoi. There is a Vietnamese-language news story about Columbia Southern here, although I can't read any of it except the words "Columbia Southern University" and "Distance Education and Training Council". There is even a "Columbia Southern University in Vietnam" Facebook page .

 

According to the article in Vietnamese is not a good image for Columbia Southern University. "Đào tạo 'chui' cả ngàn thạc sĩ" means teaching/training thousand Masters underground because the Vietnam's Ministry of Education has not approved for distance/online learning. Even though Vietnamese higher education has not issue any college degree via distance learning (e.i: Hanoi University of Technology, Can Tho University, and etc.). The article criticizes Columbia Southern University as money, and the degree is not acceptable ("CSU - không được công nhận").

My Vietnamese is not that good, but I understand the entire article.

 

And maybe this could be a good niche for DETC generally. In the US, DETC accreditation tends to be overshadowed by RA. But in places like Asia or Africa, RA may not matter. Maybe what matters is simply that DETC schools can deliver low-cost, genuine American college degrees by DL.

 

Ok, I'll bite.

I don't really follow your reasoning on these points.

Government acceptance would be a neutral issue because if NA is accepted RA almost certainly is as well.

Funding would also be neutral--if you are 100% eligible under Ch. 33, the funds would also be good for RA programs.

For the last points, we would need to know what field of study you are pursuing. I'm not sure that it's a fair statement that "NA programs get right to the point." Perhaps this school does, but it's not a universal element of NA programs. Also, some RA programs follow a "right to the point" model as well.

If the program works for your needs, then obviously there isn't a problem, but most of the elements you listed aren't exclusive to NA programs.

 

In the past certain states and Government did not recognize DETC degree; especially Texas and the United States Airforce. These policy maybe change, or maybe not as Western Governors University - Texas (WGU) holds regional accreditation as well.

 

Definitely. My point was simply that if DETC is ok, then RA would definitely be ok.

I can't imagine an employer that would recognize DETC degrees but not RA degrees.

 

Unfortunately, Vietnam has become a "happy hunting ground" for dodgy, unaccredited, American-based and sometimes merely American-sounding "Universities." Apparently, according to this article, there are at least 22 such bad "schools" for Vietnamese authorities to take aim at:

"Dr Mark Ashwill, former Vietnam director of the education NGO Institute of International Education, has listed 22 unaccredited US schools that have entered the Vietnamese education market."

Here's the whole article: Preston University

Such crap "schools" are giving GOOD American schools like Columbia Southern U. an undeserved bad name...

Johann

 

My father was a coal miner...and he had a BA in economics. Why did he work in the mines? Because the pay was exceptional. The common belief is that coal miners are uneducated hicks who work for next to nothing because they just can't get work in anything better, like your comment implies. But this is just a stereotype. I can assure you there are many people working in coal mines who do quite well. According to Payscale.com the average income for a regular coal miner is $58k per year. My father was a foreman with a higher salary.

 

Hey, here's an awesome hybrid DL program leading to a Diploma in Mining Engineering Technology. It's from the Haileybury School of Mines in Northern Ontario. A leader in the field since 1912, HSM is now part of Northern College, a regional community college. Two two-week on-site field schools are mandatory.

Mining school celebrates its 100-year legacy (Kyle Gennings, The Daily Press, Timmins, Ontario, June 19, 2012)

 

My comment does not "imply" what you're accusing me of at all, this is just what you've decided to draw from it for some reason. My comment, first and foremost, was meant to make light of how some people around here view pursing/obtaining an NA degree. And in connection with the profession of coal miner, the only thing that should be drawn from that comment is that coal-mining is a hard job and being paid 5 cents an hour to do it for all eternity would be a seriously awful fate... it had nothing to do with meaning coal miners are uneducated or paid poorly.

It's really something how people around here can take a comment and make it into something it's not.

 

The OP has 500 posts on this forum and oughta fully understand the potentials and limitations of his choice. I don't have to understand it for it to be valid for him.

 

This thread is only a few hours old and most of us (of course, not those with DETC degrees) have been at work all day. Give us a few moments to dust off all the standard (and very reliable) arguments in the NA v. RA debate and we'll meet you in the parking lot behind the supermarket at 11pm.

:AR15firing:

The fact is that no one really cares. Recruiting can make any decision he wants and I wish him the best of luck with his program and his career.

 

Exactly. Besides, he's going for grad level, and no one every suggests the big 3 for a grad level. Duh.:stooges:

 

Looking at the CSU website I found the following data:
History – Been around twenty years – about the same time the internet was developing so must have been one of the first entrants into the online market. DETC accredited – Military service friendly
Military Friendly Online Degree - Columbia Southern University
Faculty
The faculty are documented and the limited number of faculty reviewed teach at various institutions. Publications and industry knowledge has not been researched. Has a reasonable number of full time staff.
Full-Time Job Openings at Columbia Southern University - Columbia Southern University
Also see performance data:
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/pdf/Disclosure/OA2012.pdf

.Brand Recognition
Appears to have strong brand recognition in online learning- Publishes performance data
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/pdf/Disclosure/OA2012.pdf

Alumni – appears to have a solid relationship with their alumni- Alumni - Columbia Southern University

I have not checked pricing or the descriptions of the courses. It appears to me to be a plenty sound online learning institution with a good disclosure. I note that an earlier comment mentioned US Airforce and Detc. If you click on military the university appears to have jumped that hurdle. It appears to have been in online learning since the very earliest of online learning times. This indicates to me that there must be reasonable acceptance by the students and employers.

 

Thanks for all the replies folks. Yes I've been around here for quite some time, the original group that started this forum know me from back in the day. I don't post very much, but I maintain a pretty good Degree Info tenure.

To address one poster about the NA issue and the federal government acceptance, that statement lies mainly with my thoughts on the overall acceptance of NA and validity. I had my own demons with NA and have said somethings here that were in all honesty not very accurate (back in the day that is). I spoke about something I had little knowledge about at that time. Not to mention my reluctance to see NA for what it is, real accreditation endorsed by the U.S. DOE. Like a wise long time member of this illustrious forum once said to me, National Accreditation is not lesser, it just different, and sometimes being different is not such a bad thing - I agree.

The main reason I said the government "fully" accepts NA is that they do for promotion, entrance into federal service/employment, and everything else that requires a degree except M.D. and lawyer I think. On that note I do know they will Hire Excelsior nursing grads for employment at federal hospitals, so that's a good thing for them! The Military also accepts NA as valid accreditation, and will commission an officer with such accreditation.

The sad fact is I had my OWN prejudices against National Accreditation until I learned what it is and what it is not. I selected Columbia Southern from three schools because of the program itself. The other two were in fact RA, and point on programs. As for me, I have been in distance education since 2003, long before the flashy commercials, full page news paper ads, and pop up banners that are all the rage now in this area. So I know what I am getting into with NA.

As far as the course of study or major is concern I don't really believe that I have to disclose it, for the purpose of my OP. Not because I don't want to, but there is no need to (but I will later). The reason I posted about this new adventure is that I was merely informing the folks that have been on this DE path with me so many times before of my latest journey down the virtual trail.

Truth be known, I was accepted in Liberty University, Eastern Kentucky University, and Trident U long ago when I was looking into a Masters program. I've also asked myself many questions, and I've thought long and hard about the RA / NA battle that still rages on, even in this forum from time to time (look at this thread). I do believe that I made the right decision, I've done my homework and I appreciate the input.

Insiders note: The one chat I had that threw me over the edge on this school was the one I had last Friday with a Senior Investigator/Inspector in my agency. He asked me if I jumped in yet with Columbia Southern yet, I said nope, and he asked why? I went on to explain "why" mostly BS and he said "you are just hung up over the NA / RA thing still huh, I replied well kind of. He sat me down and asked if I was going to leave the employ of Uncle Sam, I said hell no, he said then you should already be taking classes. He understands as a man with two RA masters degrees the sometimes limited utility of NA in the civilian world. As he said, not everyone "out there in the civilian" accepts NA "I get it" however that does not apply in the federal government since NA is approved by the DOE and CPAC gives it's stamp of approval, AND you like the program. This program, which he has a Grad certificate in is a good one. He said it's spot on in this field, and has a strong backing by the agency we work for. What else do I need to make this decision?

When I say NA is "to the point" I believe that I explained that in my OP, but I will do it again for the purpose of this reply. What I meant by "to the point" is most all the classes are DIRECTLY related to the field I am now in. Yes, there is a Business Ethic class, but that's about it, all the other classes are major specific, this is what I love about NA. They have the room to be spot on with course work.

BTW: The field is Occupational Health and Safety.

Stef - I think you read into my post a bit, I don't believe that I said the government will not recognize RA, I was simply stating that they recognize NA the same as RA. With them there is no difference, and rightfully so. This info comes from the CPAC (HR) horses mouth, I trust them since they are the people that accept, validate, and endorse federal employees education credentials. Oh, and they actually check these schools out now, not like years ago (another topic all together) when a sham college degree made it into a personnel folder.

Today some people still struggle with NA over RA because of it's limitations is CERTAIN situations. That said, there are many schools out there that now enjoy dual accreditation, and if need be I can always transfer out - however I don't see that as something I will have to do since I intend to stay working for the federal government.

Again, to all that took the time to reply, and will soon reply (because I know you will!), Thanks for the additional info, it is much appreciated. As usual you are all the smartest kids in the class, that's the real reason why I hang with you, hoping it will rub off some day!

I've got typos and run-ons up there I'm sure, please excuse me.:wavey:

 

ebbwvale, thanks for the research and GREAT info provided.

Here is the cost info you mentioned. It is VERY affordable right up through the Doctorate program

Tuition & Financing - Columbia Southern University

Per credit hour:
200 Undergrad
265 Masters
300 Doctorate