Online classes (which is what the Ivy article references) is not the same as an online degree. I think for some fields a mix of residential and distance learning can work, but I would be suspicious of degrees that are fully online, or ones that give multiple years of credit for "life experience".

Online degrees are not useless. I have an undergrad degree from a bricks and mortar university and I got a masters from an online university, Drexel University. Drexel has a very good fully accredited bricks and mortar campus and their online degrees are fully accredited as well. My diploma from the online university is exactly the same as if I went to the actual campus for classes. My only recommendation is to go to a fully accredited online school.

Anonymous wrote:Even the Ivies are embracing online classes: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2012-05-15/online-classes-college-education-tuition/54979794/1

It will all depend on the school name (again) rather then if it is online or in person. UMUC is totally fine and not a Strayer. But is it UVA? Nope. But I don't think that is what you are looking for right now.

It is sad to see the Principal simply throwing away resumes just because it is an online degree. Kind of old school thinking. It would make me question just how up to date you are with new curriculums and ability to embrace change and/or technology.

How can one forum attract so many idiots?

Anonymous wrote:teachers are scared of online degrees because it will mean more students to teach, less glory and more work.

What the fuck are you talking about?

obviously a person who received a degree on line

Anonymous wrote:University of Pheonix is not an accredited school.

Not a fan, but you are wrong. It is accredited.

http://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/accreditation.html

Sorry, I should have said "educator" rather than principal. I don't know if you are a principal -- I hope not though.

Even the Ivies are embracing online classes: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2012-05-15/online-classes-college-education-tuition/54979794/1

It will all depend on the school name (again) rather then if it is online or in person. UMUC is totally fine and not a Strayer. But is it UVA? Nope. But I don't think that is what you are looking for right now.

It is sad to see the Principal simply throwing away resumes just because it is an online degree. Kind of old school thinking. It would make me question just how up to date you are with new curriculums and ability to embrace change and/or technology.

University of Pheonix is not an accredited school.

I think on-line materials can be helpful in some cases. Even at MIT you go to large lectures that could just as easily be watched on line. However, there are also smaller classes that complement that lecture. It is here that ideas are exchanged and discussed. Your positions are challenged by others and yourself. You can't replicate that on-line -- not even with Skype or the like. There is something about being in a room with people that makes the experience different. Additionally, for some degrees, such as an MBA, group work is part of the education process. The group work helps you increase you communications skills and, well, you learn how to work in a group.

If you received a certificate to be qualified to do basic IT work, I would not have a problem with the degree. If you received a degree in an IT field that requires critical thinking and creativity, I would be suspect.

In the end, the degree gets you in the door. I have met people from lower tier schools who have shined and higher tier schools that have failed in the work place. If your degree can't get you in the door, it is useless.

I concur with what a lot of people saying: There's a difference between the diploma mills -- U. of Phoenix, Strayer, etc, which automatically have a stigma that's not entirely related to simply being online, and fully accredited universities that are moving into the online space.

But teaming plays such an important part of today's business environment that as a hiring manager, I would be skeptical of anyone I knew who did their entire degree program from their couch.

Anonymous wrote:I think the difference is whether the university is for profit or non-profit. University of Phoenix or Strayer -- those are bogus degrees.

Exactly.

I'm in higher ed. I think that programs that are partially online/partially in person can be effective in certain disciplines. I do see a conflict between economics and education even in "non-profit" online ed. Many bricks and mortar universities use online programs as cash cows. The programs are fairly cheap to run, and the more students you enroll the more money you make. The profit motivation pushes universities to enroll students without regard to their academic preparation or general suitability, and it encourages easy grading because to make more money, you need to keep students coming back. Many of the instructors for these classes are not full time faculty, and if they grade strictly and get complaints from students, they will be dismissed. A friend of mine who teaches online classes says that she just gives every student and A just to make her own life easier, and the administrators don't seem to notice or care. I also worry about access to supplemental materials. Many books, articles, and sources are now online, but you still can't replace a good research library.

All that said, as a supervisor I wouldn't automatically reject an applicant with an online degree, but I would examine his/her preparation and qualifications very closely.

teachers are scared of online degrees because it will mean more students to teach, less glory and more work.

Anonymous wrote:Question for the principal who posted:

Would you hire a teacher who got her degree through UMUC of would you discount that degree?

I'm the principal who posted yesterday (home witha sick 6 yr old )
I would not discount the UMUC degree if i see that you are in the DC metro area and able to attend classes. I've always considered UMUC to be a "night school" offering classes at night and on weekends for folks pursuing an alternate route to a degree.

Anonymous wrote:Is UMUC considered an "online school"??

It's the University of Maryland University College.

I think any school that has some variant of the word "University" or "College" in its name three times out of four words is trying too hard.