Getting your Degree Online - Is it worth it? (degrees, reputation, cost)

[MrDezi]

Many Online University Programs seem very complete and affordable but are they worth it?
Would an Online degree have the same "prestige" than a regular one even if it has the same validation?
Would employers see a online degree as cheating or as less important?

The reason I am asking this is because I am considering getting my MBA on Phoenix University Online. Phoenix University has the same National Validation than any other State University. What worries me however is how employers will see the degree. Will they prefer someone that has an MBA on a regular school.

[truckingbronco]

Originally Posted by atreidi

Many Online University Programs seem very complete and affordable but are they worth it?
Would an Online degree have the same "prestige" than a regular one even if it has the same validation?
Would employers see a online degree as cheating or as less important?

The reason I am asking this is because I am considering getting my MBA on Phoenix University Online. Phoenix University has the same National Validation than any other State University. What worries me however is how employers will see the degree. Will they prefer someone that has an MBA on a regular school.

Do not get your degree from UofP.

First, it does not have the same "validation" as other business schools. A reputable MBA program will be accredited by the AACSB, UofP is not.

Second, UofP is expensive, so you will actually be paying more to go to a second rate school.

Third, it's just not respected. This is largely due to the fact that they are for profit and willing to accept everyone.

There are plenty of traditional colleges that offer online degrees that will carry more prestige and cost less money.

Be careful what a UofP advisor tells you, they are commisioned salesman who often use boilerroom tactics to close you.

[MissShona]

I am currently enrolled in 4 classes - all online. Three are through a local community college and 1 is through a 4 year university. I am at junior level (hopefully will be senior after this semester) and I have never taken an online previous to this. So far, I am very impressed with the class at the 4 year, state school. The delivery and format/tools are very impressive. Two of the other three seem "ok" -- where the teachers offered notes online and the textbooks have online resources; then you go in and take the test at the testing center. And 1 class seems like a disappointment....where you just read the book, take online (ungraded) quizzes for practice...and take 3 test at the testing center (in person).

Overall, in my limited experience, I support online education in that it offers educational opportunities to people like me (in my case, I have limited mobility). It is also very flexible for those who work. However, it is still very touch and go it seems with quality. Also you need to be quite motivated and disciplined (not saying that you are not) to get what you "are supposed to" out of the course.

I would be very weary of schools who "specialize" in online degrees and/or for-profit schools like U of P. I really feel more secure knowing that if I wanted to, I can just drive over to my school and speak to advisors, meet my professors, look after my financial aid, and check out the bookstore, etc. Not to mention I can also sit in on the actual class (which on professor actually encouraged) if I wanted to. Also, these brick and mortar schools are often times less expensive; and you have access to more scholarships and grant programs than you would with these "virtual" schools.

And lastly, if I truly felt that online classes were the way for me to go -- yet had doubts about their general reputation with employers, I would go with a brick and mortar school that offers online programs. That way, the degree doesn't scream out the fact your education was online. I will admit, that the offering of online coursework at traditional schools is not as extensive or available in every major. But that's sort of the price you pay I guess.

[brokensky]

Originally Posted by atreidi

Many Online University Programs seem very complete and affordable but are they worth it?
Would an Online degree have the same "prestige" than a regular one even if it has the same validation?
Would employers see a online degree as cheating or as less important?

The reason I am asking this is because I am considering getting my MBA on Phoenix University Online. Phoenix University has the same National Validation than any other State University. What worries me however is how employers will see the degree. Will they prefer someone that has an MBA on a regular school.

Many state universities offer MBA's online. Your degree will not stipulate anything about whether or not you attended traditional classes as opposed to doing the work online. Here in NC, we have an extensive list of degrees, both undergrad and grad, available online.

Don't know what state you are in, but I would def check this out b/f I enrolled in UoP.

[Eastern Roamer]

My 2 cents:
I would not recommend getting an MBA just for the heck of it. I work side by side with people who have them, it doesn't necessarily get you jobs that your undergrad degree won't get you if you interview well and have any experience.

People who should get MBAs are those who work in corporate america and have reached a point in their career where an MBA will get them to the next level. Simply having and MBA won't get you as far as building your resume or getting in with a big company.

I second the others posts about UofP. Many schools have online and part time programs for working adults. UofP is not worth the price.

[SiddharthaGautama]

I would definitely not take classes from the University of Phoenix online. It would do absolutely nothing for your resume. There are plenty of other reputable schools that currently offer online degrees including MBAs: University of Florida, Penn State and I believe Umass.....all of which I'm looking into. You can tell its only a matter of time before almost all schools offer something online. Columbia University and Stanford offer masters in engineering. Online degrees have the same classes and workloads as if you attended on campus. Therefore there is no need to put on your resume that the mba was obtained online.......it doesn't really matter. I'm currently looking at getting my mba online or a masters in gis from usc online.......good luck

[Huckleberry3911948]

ditto
not worth it.
i got most of my supplemental ed thru certificates and/or jr college
no debt.

[MrDezi]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

ditto
not worth it.
i got most of my supplemental ed thru certificates and/or jr college
no debt.

That is true, however, many Local universities have online programs that let you get the discount from living in same district and having the convenience of taking the course online.

[nitokenshi]

1. like every one suggest I would go to a brick and mortar school for an online program.
2. It is only worth it if you already know the subject and need the degree for a leg up. For example lets say you speak spanish fluently and need a spanish degree. The online route would be best since its faster.

[total_genius]

As a teacher myself I really am unhappy about the movement towards on line degrees. Though as a busy professional who does not like driving to a far away college in rush hour, I can understand its appeal.

When I teach, I strongly believe that the best way to learn is to get everyone involved. I use class room discussion, case studies, question and answer, role playing and group activities. It seems to get people more interested and involved and the three hour class moves along so much faster. Little of this is possible in a class over the Internet.