would getting an online degree be a good idea?
813644
Trust me on this one -- I've been in the higher education business for decades.  Most online universities are NOT a good idea.  They are for-profit institutions making money from uninformed consumers, and from employers who subsidize their current employees' "educations."   People who are NOT currently employed will have a hard time getting prospective employers to take their degrees seriously, particularly if they come from University of Phoenix, AIU, Capella, or other for-profit schemes. \n\nIf you MUST work toward a degree online, the state university in your state is always the cheapest and best route. They are fully (regionally) accredited, and the degrees they issue are most often the SAME as the degrees awarded to students who study in person. \n\nIf your state university does not yet have a "distance education" program, then surrounding states will. Some of the best ones are:\n\nArizona State U\nColorado State\nKansas State U\nOklahoma State U\nPenn State (PASSHE)\nUniversity of Alaska\nUniversity of California\nUniversity of Florida\nUniversity of Illinois\nUniversity of Maryland\nUniversity of Michigan\nUniversity of Minnesota\nUniversity of South Carolina\nWashington State U\n\nCheck the website below for more info.
1144256
Several colleges and universitites offer on-line degree programs.  Avoid private institutions, check with the local college or university in your area.  Most good programs require at least some in-class participation.\n\nOn the other hand if you are just looking for the "piece of paper" there are lots of degree mills that have little or no requirements other than $
990252
From what I've been seeing and hearing from University Professors, On line degrees are not seen the same way as "regular school" degrees.  However, it all depends on:\n1)  what job you are trying to get and\n2)  who is hiring you.\n\nSome things you just can't learn on line (like becoming a Doctor of Medicine), so you have to make sure that your on line program is credited to give you a degree in whatever it is that you want to do.\n\nCertain companies don't care where you got the degree as long as you have it, while others are more picky, so you should try to find out from your current or possible employers whether getting an online degree would give you benefits at work (promotions, raise, etc.).
1104974
college courses often times can be taken online.  By the time your child is school age.. you will have a great degree.
367296
yep, people do that all the time to save money on college. just make sure you go to an accredited university to get your bachelors, online degrees are sometimes frowned upon by some companies
557841
There are some reputable, brick and mortar (i.e., "real") universities that offer degrees via distance learning. Some of these universities are very, very good: Oxford University (UK), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, University of Maryland, Carnegie Mellon, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and there are others. \n\nIn general, if you plan to pursue an online/distance learning degree, you'll get more bang for your buck if you get the degree from a university, like those above, which also have a strong on-campus degree program, because it's true - lots of employers frown on online degrees if they are from an online-only school, or a school that has a poor academic reputation in general. \n\nIn general, I would not recommend a distance degree to just anyone. If you can go to an on-campus program, your chances of actually completing the degree program are higher. Employers also tend to frown on some of the online programs. \n\nHowever, not all of us have the freedom in our lives to be able to get to a campus location - and if that's your situation, then a distance learning degree may be your only option. But if you decide to do distance learning, take it from me - I used to be a recruiter - and definately make sure it's accredited, and also only consider degrees from universities that have a good overall academic reputation. And definately, unless you have no other options, do not attend an "online-only" school.
630743
Yes there are many but are they from accredited institutions? Need to be very careful about that since only those from such an institution will be nationally recognized. If it's accredited I'd go for it. Check this website for the list of online degrees that are nationally accepted\nhttp://www.classesusa.com/index.html;jsessionid=28DAF55801F2B047E9694454F35ABC2E
761116
Online classes are not necessarily harder, but they do require a lot of self motivation. You also need to be good with deadlines. I have wondered about what employers think of online universities, but I think as long as you choose a school that is accredited, you will be okay. Good luck.
1029553
Here's the truth.\n\nGrad schools are NOT going to look kindly on ANY online degree.  (And the word is spelled "accept.")\n\nWhat you should do is this:  Finish your degree through a brick-and-mortar school with a "distance education" program.  Many state universities have this option.  Ohio state universities often do, Syracuse University does, and of course there are others.\n\nAn online degree from U of Phoenix or a similar institution will get you nowhere in academia.
629851
How about an online education?  Many reputable colleges are now offering degrees where the majority of classes can be taken via the web.
1039764
Usually, not very well. \n\nMost "online" schools don't have good reps. Consider your options carefully. \n\nThere are reputable, "brick and mortar" schools that offer degrees online. Their good reputation for their on-campus programs will flow over into their online program. \n\nSo to be quite blunt, an online OR an offline degree from U Phoenix, or Devry, or ITT, will only get you so far, because the reputations of these schools isn't the greatest. A degree of any sort from UMass Amherst, or U Nebraska Lincoln, or U Maryland, will likely be seen as more acceptable by more employers, and may, therefore, get you further. \n\nSome great universities that offer online degrees include:\n\nUniversity of Massachusetts at Amherst\nRensselaer Polytechnic Institute\nUniversity of Denver\nUniversity of Maryland\nDuke University\nDrexel\nCarnegie Mellon\nPenn State\nBall State\nU Nebraska - Lincoln\nBabson\nWorcester Polytechnic Institute\nUniversity of Illinois\n\nAnd there are others. But in general, when you're looking for a distance learning degree, try to find a program at a school that has a good reputation for their "brick and mortar" campus.
140687
Online colleges are worth it. There are thousands of people are going online. You just have to make sure the college is legit. I was going through Kaplan which is a good one. But like you I am looking at PCDI and it is on the governments accredited list. If you are older or have kids and a job, people look at you also going to school online as a good thing. It looks good for you.
217217
I'm getting my doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix (on-line). I've been in the program since January 2004 and expect to graduate in July 2007. Online is very intense and it's not for the average learner. If you are disciplined, organized, computer literate and a decent writer, I say go for it!\n\nOnline degrees are definitely accepted in the business world, and businesses are even paying for select employees to obtain advanced degrees through online schools.\n\nClasses are usually taken one at a time (unlike ground universities) and each course lasts 5-8 weeks. You have individual assignments as well as team assignments to complete. The online resources will help you succeed as an online student. Libraries, help desk, editing services, etc. are all provided to the online learner.\n\nThe facilitators have extensive backgrounds and bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the class they teach. You get the pleasure of working with students from all over the world, giving you a broader perspective of the course.\n\nI enjoy online education so much that I plan to teach on-line myself in the near future.
1071164
Find out if the online school is accredited.  This means that their diploma is equivalent to the standards and practices of real time universities.\n\nMany universities offer online courses, I think the University of Pheonix offers degrees online, but I could be mistaken\n\nGood luck!
849584
You have to be very careful with on line degrees.  Many of them are not recognized.  Attending a bricks and mortar university is always better.  Athabasca University  in Alberta, Canada is one school that has been doing distance education for over 30 years.  It is better than most on line universities.  It may meet your needs.
1045221
Learn? yes. Well depending on your Internet service. But receive a degree or diploma that is worth anything... Doubtful.
11914
It looks like an online school is the best option