There hasn't been an Aspen thread in quite awhile so...

Not a competitor. Just a guy looking to make a well informed decision.

 

It all depends on what you want to do with your degree. There are plenty of professions that would be fine with a DETC degree. But, if you are concerned about the DL stigma, you should look into some of the many B&M schools that offer degree programs with the content delivered online. (I have to be careful not to say "online degree" because there are several anal retentive types around here who jump all over that) Valdosta State, University of Indiana, Cal State University are a few that come to mind that offer degrees via online content. I was very interested in attending Aspen myself at one time but, in the end, chose to do a B&M program that offered a blended online/in-person format.

 

There is a broad generalization there. Yes, many Aspen units would not transfer to most RA schools, but that is changing. HETA schools and some others will accept DETC credits for transfer, while others may simply waive courses. I seem to remember reading that the Nebraska state schools (e.g. Peru) will accept Aspen credits. One should always check with considered target schools for transfer before "pulling the trigger".

 

With regards to the $3600 deal. Here is what I did: apply for financial aid, wait for the aid approval to be sent to Aspen, register as tuition paid by FAFSA, done. When the FAFSA check is cut, Aspen takes the payment. I didn't pay anything out of my pocket to get moving.

 

Thanks Michael -- You've given me some ideas which have really helped my brainstorming.

I've given a little more thought to this. Going in, cost was my #1 priority... but after dwelling on it, I think that's a bad #1. I have the cash to pay in-full for any program I want to attend if I choose to, but I always look for a good bargain.

I've come to realize that perception is huge, DL or no DL. I don't want the university to come off as "odd" -(Working in Delaware and having a no-name college in South Dakota on my resume).

I think my goal will be looking toward Summer or Fall of 2011 by going w/ one of the following options, most desirable first:

1 - A geographically close school where I can do almost all or all of the education online. I've looked into University of Delaware and their online/part-time graduate programs are seriously lacking and very expensive. Wilmington College may be an option, but I'm not sure of their standing.

2 - A tier one university via DL. I know Harvard has a program, but they require at least one class be taken on-campus.

3 - An obvious DL program. If I exhaust #1 and #2, then I'll go for something inexpensive. Its the personal gratification and resume bullet-point that I'm mostly after. Anything else is just a bonus.

 

These comparisions are somewhat quantifiable. Here is a somewhat simplistic, although informative (for me at least) method. Find the cheapest RA DL masters programs in your field (most likely it will be some small state school somewhere) and compare the price difference between that and Aspen. Then determine for yourself if the price difference is worth any potential additional benefits that come from having an RA degree (from, most likely, a state institution). Tailor this to your specific needs and predictions about your future.

I did something similar (mostly as an intellectual exercise) for Aspen regarding an MBA. Here is my thought process:
An Aspen MBA is about $3600.
The cheapest RA MBA is ~$5,400 from Eastern New Mexico University.
There are probably additional fees, so lets say that the price difference is between $1,800-$3,000. These are just "back of the envelope" estimates.

Besides the price difference, I see ZERO benefit for ME to go to Aspen, as opposed to an RA school. It might be different for others if they are in a more unique situation (e.g. someone with an NA bachelors who might have trouble getting into an RA MBA).

This is a "no name" state RA MBA, so lets look at the benefits of that over Aspen.
1) Some employers/clients MAY place more weight on RA over NA. Hard to quantify, but we know it is there.

2) I have MANY MANY more opportunities with teaching, if I chose to teach. While I may not want to become a full time teacher, it is nice to be qualified to teach a few classes as an adjunct (both online and in a real campus) if money gets tight and I need some extra income. I am especially sensitive to this, since several of my relatives have done this to help get them through this recession. I like the added flexibility that an RA masters provides.

3) If I ever chose to go to a doctoral program, I have the option of going to an RA doctoral program without having to worry about redoing all of my credits that I got from my Aspen MBA. This is a very minor point, as I don't foresee going for a DBA. However it is a possibility, so I keep it in mind.

FOR ME the tipping point is having the option to teach a class as an adjunct. That opportunity alone is worth the extra $1,800 for me. Then again, I am in my early 30's and have a long working future ahead of me, and do not have my first graduate degree yet (I only have a bachelors now).

Contrast that with my mom. She is retiring next year after 30+ years as a college professor. She already has her PhD from a top university, so additional RA prestige is pretty much meaningless for her as long as the program is legitimate. She is considering another Masters solely for her own enjoyment/personal development. I mentioned this program to her and she was interested.

Weigh your needs and desires against your options and resources.

 

Wow mcjon.. Thanks for that info. ENMU is actually a Tier 2 school per USNEWS and has an MBA w/ IS concentration. That is actually pretty awesome. Do you know if you have to follow one of the X-year schedules? Can you do part-time? and take say.. 3 years if needed?

That'd really suck if they ever reneged on the 6 or less credits per semester in-state deal...

 

Beware of false comparisons...

For example, you may not be able to get into that school because of limitations in the size of the program or when the do intake into the program. I mean can you get admitted to ENMU and start when you want to start? And these in-state = online tuition deals may not last if the priority becomes to serve local students. Keep in mind that it is likely with the progression of time that more RA schools will accept more DETC school masters credits rather than fewer.

Again, beware of comparing enrollment in schools that simply cannot be compared.

 

True, my wife tried to do DL from our local CSU system, and it was so structured it was more work than actually being in class (and the customer service sucked). She is now enrolled at Aspen, and it will work out great for her. Her employer is thrilled with the idea.


Abner

 

I chose Aspen for cost, curriculum, ease of scheduling (I went the independent route), how quickly I could get started, lack of GRE (not in the mood for another standardized test). Some schools may not accept NA however there are plenty that will. Same as adjunct teaching. Some will, some won't. But it's worth the gamble for all the other benefits. Also they may move to RA at some point in the future. Who knows. I don't begrudge anyone's choices but I think Aspen is a fine school thus far.

 

Very good, thank you. When DETC credits begin to be accepted at RA schools, that will change everything for DETC. That will be the sign that DETC is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

 

Yeah, I have been involved in a few hundred discussions regarding this issue. I firmly believe that in time schools and registrars, etc. will become to be more familiar with DETC, and thus it will become more accepted. As mentioned before, the HETA list keeps growing and growing.

Abner

 

You are very wise to attend a program close to your home that offers the DL options you want. That way nobody would know that your degree was DL. It's sad that you have to consider things like that, and I think that will slowly change, but you've got to to what is best for yourself. I will actually be flying to Virginia a number of times to do some of my work in person and I will be transferring in units that I will take in-person here in California, all to avoid the DL stigma.

 

Yeah, but locally I am limited. For an MS and local - Basically, I'm looking at Wilmington University which isn't entirely DL. Alternately, there is U of Delaware and Drexel - both top notch schools, but also both very expensive. The guy who brought up ENMU had a good idea if I decided to go the MBA route (still trying to decide between MBA and an MS), but I'd likely need to do some undergrad courses I missed in order to be accepted (Clovis?), plus take the GMAT. That would have the DL stigma, but the price point is acceptable.

If I'm going to further my education, I at least what it to be moderately reputable. I don't expect to work in the executive offices of a Fortune 100, but at the same time, don't want to be laughed at.

 

The acceptance of transfer credits is on a case by case basis anyway, even among RA schools for the bachelors degree... Some schools say they will accept credits but then they make you retake anything that doesn't meet their specific requirements. More often than not, the transferred credits end up being elective credits or credits that can't be used to actually complete the degree. My guess is that many RA schools can accept DETC credits for electives when they want to, and increasingly will accept them as time goes on; you may have to retake their required courses anyway. The net takeaway is that DETC BA credits may not be as much of a transfer issue as some are trying to make of it...

 

As a hiring manager in a Fortune 200 company as well as previously in other Fortune 500 companies, there is generally no "DL stigma" except, perhaps in the recesses of old backwards-thinking managers' brains. But in the modern world, no one cares (RA or NA). Accredited is accredited. That is all that matters.

Unless we are talking about Ivy-like schools here that get the "oh wow you went to MIT/Harvard/Yale...) no one cares about that either. I went to Florida State and Thomas Edison State College. Think anyone cares about that? Nope. No one cares.

 

Surprise, surprise.. the $100 "blended" tuition is now standard for Aspen. I thought it was going to end in August.. then September.. then October...?

 

Hi MSwol:

I first have to congratulate you, we updated our website and in about 15 seconds you posted this. That is very fast!

I don’t jump in to most of these threads as it is better to let people discuss topics and come to their own conclusions. However, we have a press release coming out tomorrow about this which explains why we made the decision to extend and then adopt this tuition model. I’ll paste it below; I guess degreeinfo has a scoop! Good work (smile)..


Aspen University Adopts $100 per Credit Hour Tuition as its Standard Tuition Model for 100% Online Degrees

DENVER, CO Aspen University delivered an update on its progress over the past year to its Chairman today at a quarterly conference call. The focus of the update was on the university’s continued strong alignment with federal regulatory requirements concerning financial aid and the university’s progress against its mission of socially responsible growth and meaningful public service.

At the conclusion of the call it was agreed to adopt the current tuition incentive model as the standard for degree programs moving forward. This provides students a blended tuition rate, some with a pre-pay, of $100 per credit hour for most degree programs. Of special note are the MBA and MS in Technology graduate degrees that now have a standard tuition total of $3,600.

“We started this as a summer special, but found that the lower tuition makes the programs, especially the graduate programs, much more student friendly and lowers the need for students to seek alternate funding such as credit card debt or federal financial aid,” said Dr. David E. Lady, President of Aspen University. “We also discovered that the lower tuition keeps our usage of federal aid funds very low, currently only about 7% of our students use financial aid compared to the overall student population. This is in comparison to many high profile schools that can have up to 90% of their student population receiving financial aid.”

In addition, Aspen reported good progress against the strategic plan of adding socially responsible programs to the academic curriculum. Aspen has added several programs designed to make good education in important key social fields available at a very low cost. The schools programs in phycology and addiction counseling, approved through the NAADAC (NAADAC) are a good example. Also a good example is the bachelor’s degree in foodservice and restaurant management, which is provided in partnership with the National Restaurant Association (Home Page | National Restaurant Association | National Restaurant Association) at $90 per credit hour for people working in restaurants that are members of the association. Further 15% of the tuition for this degree is donated back to the association’s educational foundation.

“We are on the right track with our programs and tuition, “concluded Dr. Lady, “there is a role in higher education for student focused, self-funded schools like Aspen. We have to be responsible and socially aware, and we have to constantly strive to provide the highest quality education at the best possible price. Aspen’s good reputation is growing and we are showing that it is possible to be successful the right way, using the same curriculum and same high quality faculty in an online education model.”

Aspen University, the first accredited university to offer a 100% online MBA, is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Located in Denver, Colorado, Aspen's Chairman is Patrick C. Spada; its President is Dr. David E. Lady. Aspen offers degree programs at the Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctor Degree levels, in a variety of fields and disciplines. Please visit www.aspen.edu for more information.

 

Wow good timing I guess. dlady.. I have sent you a PM if you don't mind.

 

Dlady, I am truly wishing you success at Aspen. I admire your approach to management. When comparing DETC to DETC Aspen is number one; this may not even be debatable. DETC is not for everyone but for those who DETC meet your needs Aspen is the choice. Dlady, you may have many requests to expand the program you offered. I think a generic master of psychology could be a good fit.