Online Programs in Education (PhD, degrees, reputation, costs)

[LindseyLou]

Does anyone have any experience with getting a Masters in Education online. So many of the programs seem to have a negative reputation and do not appear to be respected. Can anyone recommend a program or speak from experience? I (and anyone else I know) really do not have the money or time to waste on a program that will not be received well.

[dorothycarol07]

In an online program you are judge according to the university norms and get the same reorganization as any regular student.These are good university provide degree in masters DeVry University, Penn Foster College, Walden University .

[coffee4me]

I have a Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix. It is accredited for an education degree but you will still have to jump through the hoops of your own state to get that teaching license. I have my teaching license and I teach 7th/8th grade English. UOP doesn't always have the greatest rep b/c people still look down on online learning .It was also way too expensive (30,000) but it was my only choice. We were moving every 2 years with the military life. I loved it. It allowed me to take classes online. I still had to do student teaching in a local public school. I would recommend it. I've never had anyone look down their nose at me about my degree as many teachers are doing the same thing. In fact our principal is getting her PhD from Walden (another online school).

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by coffee4me

I have a Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix. It is accredited for an education degree but you will still have to jump through the hoops of your own state to get that teaching license. I have my teaching license and I teach 7th/8th grade English. UOP doesn't always have the greatest rep b/c people still look down on online learning .It was also way too expensive (30,000) but it was my only choice. We were moving every 2 years with the military life. I loved it. It allowed me to take classes online. I still had to do student teaching in a local public school. I would recommend it. I've never had anyone look down their nose at me about my degree as many teachers are doing the same thing. In fact our principal is getting her PhD from Walden (another online school).

U of P's reputation has nothing to do with people looking down on online learning. Their reputation has to do with the fact that they are a FOR PROFIT university and they put making money before providing an education. In fact, they care nothing about providing an education as long as they get your tuition. Not to mention all of their unethical business practices. U of P is one of the most complained about businesses in the history of the Better Business Bureau.

You did have other options. Many other options. For example, Park University is a school that has been around since the 1800s and is a private university that provides the same material for their physical classes as they do for their online classes. They actually are hooked up their the military and 75% of their students are those in the military. I am shocked you were in the military and were not pushed to go there.

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by LindseyLou

Does anyone have any experience with getting a Masters in Education online. So many of the programs seem to have a negative reputation and do not appear to be respected. Can anyone recommend a program or speak from experience? I (and anyone else I know) really do not have the money or time to waste on a program that will not be received well.

As I mentioned in my previous post, look at Park University. It is a normal degree from a normal university that will be viewed no differently than a degree at any other brick and mortar school.

[coffee4me]

Originally Posted by RjRobb2

U of P's reputation has nothing to do with people looking down on online learning. Their reputation has to do with the fact that they are a FOR PROFIT university and they put making money before providing an education. In fact, they care nothing about providing an education as long as they get your tuition. Not to mention all of their unethical business practices. U of P is one of the most complained about businesses in the history of the Better Business Bureau.

You did have other options. Many other options. For example, Park University is a school that has been around since the 1800s and is a private university that provides the same material for their physical classes as they do for their online classes. They actually are hooked up their the military and 75% of their students are those in the military. I am shocked you were in the military and were not pushed to go there.

Thank you for sharing your opinion. I'm pretty sure that I did the best I could at the time given the options I was aware of. I had a good experience minus the price tag but I do hear your concerns. I was a military spouse and no one ever mentioned Park University to us. I am sure the original poster appreciates your input. It is always great to see that more schools are offering opportunities for people to further their education online. Another good source for information is www.degreeinfo.com

[mm_mary73]

Originally Posted by LindseyLou

Does anyone have any experience with getting a Masters in Education online. So many of the programs seem to have a negative reputation and do not appear to be respected. Can anyone recommend a program or speak from experience? I (and anyone else I know) really do not have the money or time to waste on a program that will not be received well.

Most state universities have distance ed courses/programs that lead to an undergrad or graduate degree. Why not start where you rec'd your BA?

[tarheelcoach]

I agree that getting your online degree from a brick and mortar college is the best choice. My state won't even accept degrees from UOP anymore. I got my master's from the University of Scranton and it couldn't have gone better, but I still would be reluctant to hire a teacher with a degree from Phoenix or one of the other big online-only schools.

[mm_mary73]

Originally Posted by tarheelcoach

I agree that getting your online degree from a brick and mortar college is the best choice. My state won't even accept degrees from UOP anymore. I got my master's from the University of Scranton and it couldn't have gone better, but I still would be reluctant to hire a teacher with a degree from Phoenix or one of the other big online-only schools.

a Royals fan (as I sit here in my UofS sweatshirt in the A/C)

[Suburban Gal]

I just withdrew from the University of Phoenix after enrolling to receive a Master's in Secondary Education from them.

I withdrew for a few reasons:

#1) They seem to have zero reputation with employers.
#2) The quality of work being put out at the Master's level by students was quite appalling. (No where near Master's standards.)
#3) As were given out like candy.
#4) Business practices I just didn't agree with and think were fair.

I honestly don't recommed UoP to anyone.

The Braun Law Group out of California has initiated a class action alwsuit against UoP after some former students complained that the university was improperly returning federal loans and converting it into debt owed directly to the school. Class members are those students who secured Title IV loans for their education, dropped out of the school, had part or all of their loan monies returned tot he lender and were then hit with a bill directly from UoP. The lawsuit contends that to the extent a student had incurred education costs and was receiving the Title IV loans, UoP had no right to return those funds and then seek payment directly from the student.

Given the fact UoP is tied up in a class action lawsuit should speak volumes about the university as a whole.

I hope many people will stay away from UoP and not have to go through what I and others had to go through with them just to withdraw so we could try to pursue other avenues we felt were better for us.

Once UoP has you, they really don't want to let go. In the end, you truly will end up with a degree that doesn't hold a lot of water with employers. Your time, energy, and money will have been wasted.