What are the most important considerations when choosing an online school

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Mitchell, Oct 16, 2010.

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Most important considerations when choosing a school - multiple answers permitted

  1. Costs - Tution/Fees

    7 vote(s)
    50.0%

  2. School Reputation

    9 vote(s)
    64.3%

  3. Program Reputation

    4 vote(s)
    28.6%

  4. Geographic Location

    2 vote(s)
    14.3%

  5. Ability to complete program quickly

    2 vote(s)
    14.3%

  6. Academic Rigor

    8 vote(s)
    57.1%

  7. Faculty

    2 vote(s)
    14.3%

  8. Accreditation

    13 vote(s)
    92.9%

  9. B&M Presence

    7 vote(s)
    50.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Mitchell

    Mitchell New Member

    What is most important to you when choosing an online school?
     
    Mitchell, Oct 16, 2010
    #1
  2. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    Here is what I would look for:

    Regionally Accredited
    A program that meets my needs/goals
    B&M presence, preferably a state-school
    Program accreditation - AACSB for business, NASPAA for public admin., etc.
    The best school I could afford
     
    truckie270, Oct 16, 2010
    #2
  3. Mitchell

    Mitchell New Member

    Thanks. And that answer was given before I posted the poll. lol
     
    Mitchell, Oct 16, 2010
    #3
  4. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I dropped out of one doctoral program mostly because it was online only and I was concerned about acceptance. i now am in a doctoral program that is blended in-person and online. I will complete about 60% of my work in-person at a school in California with a few trips to Virginia for intensives and dissertation work. I am hoping that the "B&M Presence" as you say, will improve the stature of my degree. Of course accreditation is important as well; RA status is vital. Moreover, I'm not interested in an easy degree, I would not be proud of my degree if it didn't necessitate solid academic rigor. Those are the three I voted for.
     
    SurfDoctor, Oct 16, 2010
    #4
  5. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Cost. Oh, definitely cost! I chose my current school because it was the least expensive option I could find. I seem to have lucked out because UWyo looks like a respectable school with good academics and a long history of DL. Whoo hoo!

    Of course, when I mentioned my "options" above, there were a few factors that narrowed down what they actually were. Accreditation was key, yes. I wasn't going to have my BA (which I call my "base degree") unaccredited or even nationally accredited, since it could potentially limit transfer or graduate school options later. (note: I mean not to dis NA, that just happens to be the stone cold reality of the situation).

    Then, and I know some people may object to this idea, but I felt more comfortable with my "base" degree coming from a mainly B&M school that offered DL. For me, this just makes sense professionally and socially, for in the instances where the name of my school comes up, it is easier for someone else to know that it is a "real school," rather than having to ever talk about accreditation during an interview or with a client.

    Now, once I am done with this degree, I would be more inclined to do further degrees from DL-only or NA schools. Since the "base" would be established, I could easily build on it from whatever school impresses me the most and is most affordable.
     
    Maniac Craniac, Oct 16, 2010
    #5
  6. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    What about: "Do they have the major/program I'm looking for?"
     
    Ted Heiks, Oct 16, 2010
    #6

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