S/O why are online degrees useless?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my degrees is online, however there is no notation of that on my diploma or transcripts. Mine was through the same school as my undergrad and there is literally no distinction between my on campus and online programs.

But was it even worth going to your undergrad school?

It was the University of Missouri Columbia and I was in one of the top journalism schools in the country. So yes, it was worth attending.

[Anonymous]

I live in Montgomery County, and know of quite a few elementary school teachers who have received their teaching certification through online schools. They were people who had previously earned college degrees in a field other than education. They were required to do both observations and student teaching in local schools, but their actual classes were all taken online.

I do feel that the for-profit schools are sketchy and that their diplomas are not worth much.

[Anonymous]

As an employer, we do not consider people with online degrees. I was on a search team for a federal position and HR sent us one of them. She was not at all capable of doing anything else other than filling out an on-line job application and didn't get the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an employer, we do not consider people with online degrees. I was on a search team for a federal position and HR sent us one of them. She was not at all capable of doing anything else other than filling out an on-line job application and didn't get the job.

+1

As an educator, I'm glad people like you exist.

[Anonymous]

I'm down with Everest College for life!

[Anonymous]

I've been a teacher for 15 years. It's not about the school but the student. I've had crappy students in very good schools and very good students in crappy schools.

[Anonymous]

I have taught the same course in both bricks and mortar classes face to face style and online. I would have to say that often the discussions that we have online are far better than in-class. Students in lecture halls often disengage and sit and play on their phones/laptops while I teach. They are present in body but not in mind. Online everyone is forced to participate and to contribute. Students have time to read other responses and think and formulate a thought out response. Discussions are often deeper and more meaningful.

That said I agree with whoever said that a good student is a good student (in class or online) and a bad student is a bad student (in class or online).

I have no problem hiring someone who took classes online or even did an online option through a good school. Taking an online degree from a for profit school doesn't count for much.

[Anonymous]

For the same reason Harvard is better than UVA.

The same reason UVA is better than a community college.

I REAL college experience and degree is better than a digital one, with a low rate school no less.

Last time I checked, it looks like a lot of those online degrees cost a fortune, and it might be cheaper to go part-time to a state school and possibly get some Pell grant or some other free money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why they're not respected?

Because there is no guarantee the work is yours. Because there is no writing component, no research projects, no laboratory experience, no presentations, none of the "stuff" that employers actually give a sh*t you can do. Unless your job is to be on the other end of an email "help desk." Oh, and we don't need BAs for that job. We can send that job to India.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would it scare you if I said that there are online nursing schools releasing unprepared students into the market right under your noses in DC area?

No, because I know that nursing is highly regulated and that all nurses must pass the NCLEX to practice. Stop fear-mongering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would it scare you if I said that there are online nursing schools releasing unprepared students into the market right under your noses in DC area?

No, because I know that nursing is highly regulated and that all nurses must pass the NCLEX to practice. Stop fear-mongering.

Exactly. They are probably just doing general Ed courses online

[Anonymous]

I work in workforce development. A few key considerations to keep in mind:

1. Cost - will it require you to take on *private* student loans? If so, walk away.

2. Credit transfer - just because a school is accredited, does not mean their credits will transfer! It's heartbreaking to see people repeat classes ($) when they decide to pursue an AA or BA a few years down the road and discover their professional certificate classes don't transfer. Do your homework.

3. Reputation matters. An MBA from Drexel or BA from U Phoenix will get you a job over someone with no degree, but it won't allow you to compete with UMD, Catholic, or George Mason grads. Depending on your needs, it may help you get a foot in the door, but think carefully about whethet it provides your best return on investment.

4. Community colleges rock! NVCC, Montgomery College, and PGCC all have good reputations with employers in most disciplines. They're cheap, nearby, flexible, and quality-focused. Don't overlook them.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I don't have an online but I'm wise enough to know that we shouldn't paint with such a broad brush.

Some people here on DCUM don't realize that not everyone has the same start or resources. If accredited online is all your can afford then you should go for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why they're not respected?

Because there is no guarantee the work is yours. Because there is no writing component, no research projects, no laboratory experience, no presentations, none of the "stuff" that employers actually give a sh*t you can do. Unless your job is to be on the other end of an email "help desk." Oh, and we don't need BAs for that job. We can send that job to India.

Maybe diploma mill type online classes are as you say, but other online classes have a great deal of writing and research required. True, the instructor has no way of knowing that you actually did the writing but isn't that true of bricks and mortar classes as well? PLENTY of plagiarism going on in colleges today....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why they're not respected?

Because there is no guarantee the work is yours. Because there is no writing component, no research projects, no laboratory experience, no presentations, none of the "stuff" that employers actually give a sh*t you can do. Unless your job is to be on the other end of an email "help desk." Oh, and we don't need BAs for that job. We can send that job to India.

Maybe diploma mill type online classes are as you say, but other online classes have a great deal of writing and research required. True, the instructor has no way of knowing that you actually did the writing but isn't that true of bricks and mortar classes as well? PLENTY of plagiarism going on in colleges today....