Kaplan University
 

Has anyone ever gone to Kaplan? I want to change my career to High Education so that I can work in Greek life or other university related areas. I applied to a local state school (I live about an hour-2 hours from it; so it’s still somewhat local) but didn't get accepted for the semester I applied for. My application is deferred to the following semester and they offer the option of taking up to 12 hours as a non-degree student that could potentially transfer into the program.

I found Kaplan's website today and they seem to let everybody in, don't require the GRE, and the program is completely online which will save me from having to make the hour-2 hour drive weekly/multiple times weekly depending on when classes are. It just seems too easy and I've already taken one masters degree online and found it to be easy to get into but didn't really learn much. However, the current master is in IT and this one will be in Higher Education so maybe I would retain more/as much online versus at the state school.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks so much for your advice. Thats kind of what I'm leaning toward (staying with the state school). The programs cost about the same, its just the whole distance factor with the state school and the fact that admission to Kaplan seems easier (obviously) than the state school. I guess I was/am disappointed that I didn't get in and was hoping for an easier way (Kaplan) which part of me thinks is the wrong way of thinking.

My worst fear is that I end up with a Kaplan degree and then go for an interview at a university and they say something to the effect of "you got your degree from where? We'll call you. Have a good day." That would defeat the purpose of what will be a second masters degree.

Kaplan University is regionally accredited (meaning, its accreditation is by the same or a comparable accrediting body as any state school). For Master's Degree programs (that I've noticed, so YMMV), the importance of where you got it is much less than the importance of the fact that you got it, but of course there are the elites in many fields that get a little more notice.

For an ed program, though, yes, online only might not be as valuable an experience as actually going to class and interacting with professors/fellow students/students. Online programs are particularly difficult for students who need that interaction (aren't as big on the self-starting).

Also, typically Kaplan and Phoenix degrees are worth more (to your employer) when you already work there, if that makes sense.

So basically your opinion is that in my case a degree from a degree from the state school would benefit me more since I will be new to the field?

I did my current masters completely online so I'm familiar and comfortable with that format and the extreme self discipline "requirement" thats involved.

Thanks and keep the advice coming. :) I love hearing different perspectives.

I'm pursuing a career in Higher Ed as well. The field is becoming increasingly popular, and consequently, competitive. I wouldn't recommend it, especially if you're interested in Greek Life which in my experience has some of the most competitive assistantships, not to mention job postings. For example, I was told that almost 90% of the participants in GARP at South Carolina last year applied for one graduate assistantship in Greek Life.

The American College Personnel Association has some great resources for programs that you should look into as a starting point for your research.
http://www2.myacpa.org/

Yes. If you're currently employed (and are doing a second master's primarily for career advancement), Kaplan and Phoenix are really good options. For starting a career, a state school is going to look "better" on your resume.

Being that you want to WORK in a university environment, it would seem important to actually GO to a university for that degree. I know you went to a university for undergrad, but I would think it would look better to get your masters from one as well. Otherwise, it seems to me like a lawyer who had never actually set foot in a courtroom, or a doctor that had only ever performed "virtual surgeries".

Online classes (that aren't done by universities or taught by professors who don't care about online learning) are typically nothing like this.

Some of the larger "prestigious" state universities have the worst online classes I have ever seen in my life.

This. I took online courses through Northeastern University in Boston. They were fantastic! There was a great deal of interaction and one-on-one time with the professor and other students via video/IM/phone, etc.

We used BlackBoard, so the set-up was easy to follow. The classes themselves weren't easy by any means and I still had the same professor issues I've always had (e.g. profs that refuse to give people 100% on anything, even when the submission deserves it.)

Online learning worked well for me as a graduate program, so I could continue to work full-time and go to school full-time, while keeping up with my family and other obligations. However, I would not have survived an online program as an undergrad.

I am a major skeptic when it comes to online programs. A class here or there as part of a larger degree program, if a long-time employer's paying for it, or for a specific certificate program (say, IT) seems fine. I just doubt that, outside those three scenarios that an online degree is really worth the time and money. I'm getting to the point in my career where I'm starting to review resumes with HR, and I can't ever imagine preferring someone with an online-only degree (be it BS or MS) over someone who actually, you know, went to class. Pray tell, how does one get a BS in Nursing online?

My friends in student life/Greek affairs rely so much on the connections they made in graduate school for jobs and fellowships--are you really going to make connections like that at "online graduate school?"

I'm not sure that not requiring the GRE is a "good thing," either. Taking it--and preparing for it--is a good sign that you're serious about going back to school, and that you're prepared for graduate-level work. A school that doesn't take it (unless it's a school that requires auditions or portfolios) might be teaching to the "lowest common denominator," which is never good for anyone.

Those are "hybrid" or "blended" courses - you do your gen eds all online, then you have your lectures online but your lab work in a campus setting (with wet labs that have cadavers and everything). There's research out there supporting the efficacy of those models. I'd link to some of the better ones but I can only find them behind a paywall right now.

There are a lot of grad schools that don't require the GRE or portfolios or auditions. Mine didn't, but we're top 10 in the field.

Please go to the Frontline website and watch their latest report about how Kaplan and other for-profit universities are scamming veterans out of their GI Bill money.

If you're going to school for a career in Higher Ed - which will require nearly constant human interaction - you need to do it all in the classroom, not online.

This is a point that can't be overlooked, OP. Student affairs is a very small world, and connections are key. I am convinced that would not have been admitted into one very popular program if one of my mentors had not been an alumna of that program.

Do you have any contacts from your undergraduate program (Greek advisor, people in the campus life office, etc.) that you're still in touch with? They are a great resource for finding a good program, and you wll want to reach out to them!

I know that there are a lot, and some of them might be excellent programs, but they are by far the exception and not the rule (ie, top-tier programs that don't require the GRE, auditions, or portfolios). Picking a program because it doesn't require the GRE, regardless of the impact it may have on your career, isn't a brilliant move.

There's so much scamming going on with some of those for-profit universities. There are a lot of stories about schools fudging FAFSAs to increase Pell Grant amounts, which is money in the bank to them. It's just a hot mess. They often hide behind "accreditation," which doesn't really mean that much since there are so many accrediting bodies.

This doesn't really apply for a Higher Ed degree, but for others considering online, for-profit education - please be very sure to check that the degree or credential will do what it's supposed to do. There have been horror stories in the Chronicle about students who received credentials (I think in nutrition or dietetics) that the recruiter assured them would satisfy the state requirements, but after graduating they found that they weren't allowed to take the state's qualifying exam because their program wasn't recognized. They were stuck with an essentially useless credential.

Also be aware that many graduate schools may not recognize an online degree from a for-profit institution if you choose to go on to further education, like a doctorate. There's debate over whether this is non-profit snobbery or legitimate concern about the quality of the degree, but either way, it can be a serious disadvantage.

The Chronicle has also reported that while for-profit online programs (particularly at the undergraduate level) are not as difficult to start (what with constant rolling admissions and the ease of attending "in your PJs"), they are very difficult for many students to finish. Their graduation rates are pretty poor. However this could be correlation, not causation, since many students chose online coursework because they already have very busy lives that make attending a traditional program difficult.

Finally (and this somewhat ties into my first paragraph), do plenty of research on the program outside of what the recruiters will tell you. Non-profit universities employ admissions counselors, and a good one will tell you up front if their program is not a good fit for you. For-profit universities employ admissions recruiters, and oftentimes they will tell you whatever you want to hear to get you through the door. It's sales, not counseling.

I'm not saying for-profits cannot run programs well or that students cannot be successful with them. I'm just encouraging those considering these programs to be very cautious consumers.

Are you speaking specifically about for-profit schools? The degree you get at a traditional, nonprofit school is usually identical to the degree one would get if they took all on-the-ground courses.

My "online" program is also offered in blended and on-the-ground only programs. All three diplomas are the same. There would be no way for an employer to know the difference if you didn't tell them.

I am specifically speaking about for-profit schools; I thought I made that distinction above but maybe I forgot to do so. Many highly regarded institutions offer degrees that have online components and those seem to be pretty legitimate.

If an employer were to look at a transcript, would the online classes be noted as such?

Nope. There's no way to tell by looking at the transcript/diploma/etc.

Kaplan University and University of Phoenix both have regional institutional accreditation. There are only six of them, broken up by geographic area, and are the same six that accredit all public four-plus-year universities as well as most community colleges. When you're talking institutional accreditation, it's the best you can get. And they work hard to maintain that accreditation. I think where you're thinking there are "so many" would be national accrediting bodies, which are typically for two-year and technical/vocational schools. If you're getting a mechanics certificate or certified nurses aide, you're probably at a school that's nationally accredited (if it's a decent school - others aren't accredited at all and you really need to watch out for that).

If you're talking programmatic accreditation, that varies. Not all programs are have a programmatic accreditor, and some have many different ones that vary in terms of the rigorous nature of the program. For example, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) for all Dental programs (meaning Dental Assistant through DMD) is A. Required for graduates in many states for licensure and entry-level positions and B. a very rigorous accreditation process, with lots of work to maintain that accreditation. Typically, a Dental Assistant graduate from a for-Profit college versus a community college will have the same skillset and be equally prepared for a career as a dental assistant.

It's correlation, more than likely.

A while ago there was a study reported by the Department of Education that listed 7 risk factors for students who drop out:

1. Being an independent student (students who receive no financial support from their parents.
2. Working full time.
3. Having dependents.
4. Single parents.
5. Delaying entrance to college after high school.
6. Not having a traditional HS diploma (having a GED, "modified" diploma, or no diploma at all).
7. Attending college part time.

The overwhelming majority of the student population at a Kaplan or a Phoenix hit 4 of the risk factors on average.

This really widely varies by state. Folks hoping to go to schools like Kaplan or Phoenix should do additional research on their own into state licensure requirements and realize that the schools are more than likely based and accredited in a state where they don't live. Phoenix is Arizona while Kapan is Iowa.

Just like there's a lot of misinformation one way in favor of for-Profit schools, there's a lot of misinformation out there against them, as well. There have been a number of folks who even testified to Congress that have made misleading statements, particularly the guy who's a shortseller and stood to gain a lot by a rapidly decreasing stock price (I think he was the first to testify). There have also been a lot of misleading articles in the press.

All good stories and bad stories should be taken with a huge grain of salt.

I think you won't get the interview call in the first place. This is not a field where an online, for-profit education will advance your career.

My mom keeps steering me towards an online program for graduate school (because many state schools are going that way) but I just can't get her to understand that it's just not for me. I just......need to be able to look a professor in the face if I need help.

I know no one at the state school I am attempting to get accepted into. However, there are non-degree classes that I can take that could potentially transfer into the program. Additionally, there are certificate programs (for like Leadership and such) that I could do and make friends/mentors/other contacts. Not sure, but if I do either of those two options (non-degree classes or certificates), I'm sure that can only help me either get in and/or bridge the "not knowing a soul at the university" gap.

Thank you all so much for your advice! So much to consider....but then again this is a big change. :)

I strongly advise against it.

If there's anyplace that'll be biased against for-profit schools, it's the traditional schools which you're wanting to work for. It only takes a tad of common sense to understand that this Kaplan idea probably isn't your best moment.

--and besides that, you'll be saddling yourself with ridiculous student loans.

I'm just kind of like, why? It seems like most states have at least one really good Higher Ed/Student Affairs graduate program (if not, there's the Academic Common Market), and wouldn't in-state tuition be less than Dotcom University? :confused:

I believe so.

Also, if you have to carefully weigh the pros and cons to the point where you will have to explain away the cons and justify why you chose that dotcom, DON'T DO IT.

If you're able to make the pros outweigh the cons, which will only happen in certain fields, go for it. But there will always be dotcom universities that I absolutely advise against regardless of anything else--I think there was a thread about that.

Kevin is exactly right. I would advise you to stay away from for-profit schools. I am currently taking doctoral classes at Grand Canyon University, which changed over to for-profit since I have been there. I received my master's degree there before they were for-profit and I can see considerable changes.

As someone else mentioned, they (online for-profit schools) are overpriced and pressure you into taking the maximum amount of loans. I called to reduce my loans and pay a larger portion out of pocket and they acted like it was the end of the world.

From my experience, for-profit schools make you complete twice as much busy work, the professors provide very little interaction, and your work is not really "graded". I have a problem with writing a 5 page paper every week when it is not enhancing my knowledge on the topic vs 2 or 3 major assignments at a traditional university.

If I were you and seriously considering online classes, I would choose a traditional university that happens to offer those courses online.

Also, as others mentioned, online for-profit degrees are not well received in some circles. I know when I taught in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in NC, they did not offer salary advancement (administration) for Univ. of Phoenix degrees.

Just my .22 cents on that.

I was thinking of mentioning that. Are you still teaching in NC? I'm going on year 3.

I was referring more to connections you had made as a student leader during your undergraduate days. Were you friendly with your campus Greek Advisor or Dean of Students, for example? These people likely attended SA programs that you might be interested in, and are a good avenue to start your research into programs.

ETA: I believe SthrnZeta is getting (or got) her MA in Student Affairs online, but from a traditional university. However, if my memory serves me, she also had quite a bit of work experience in higher education which is a significant difference from your situation in my opinion. You might want to PM her!

No, I taught in NC for 4 years and I relocated to Nevada this past year. Sometimes I really miss NC and the southern hospitality :(

As someone currently in a student affairs mater program, I really recommend against this.

Online programs do not offer the practicum and assistantship (which is currently completely covering my tuition) experience that a traditional university's program has. And with the poor job market, experience is key.

Perhaps as the decade progresses, employers may see online for-profit universities in a different light, but as it stands now, too often, when they see schools like U. of Phoenix or Kaplan University on someone's resume, the thought that comes to their mind is often something to this effect:

Employer's image of online schools

LOLZ. I wish there was an actual funny parody of the chick going to college in her pajamas but the ones I saw are laaaaaaaame.

I had to laugh. Thanks a lot because I started watching tons of YouTube videos, after you posted that! I posted this on my FB wall. Wow. Too funny!

What's the attraction in taking classes in pajamas? That's another reason this whole online school seems like BS to me.

Many students at "real" universities find plenty of opportunities to go to class in their pajamas anyway :p Personally I couldn't do this but it happens!