Online School Programs for Masters Degrees
 

I was just wondering what everybody thought about online degree programs. I would like to get a masters in Public Administration and I'm thinking about and online/distant learning program. Did anybody review their degrees using online programs or distant learning? If so, do you think they would be respected and does anybody know how to go about finding if they are ABA approved. I'm thinking about online because I'm from Louisiana and if I would go into the Public Administration Program I would have to move to Baton Rouge or New Orleans and I'm trying not to move.

Now days, colleges and Universities offer courses on-line. I'm getting my Masters in Management and I can take all my courses on-line. I have a co-worker who lives in the DC area and is taking her master classes through UVA, which is 2 or more hours away and she has yet to step foot on that campus. You should talk to the school you are interested in attending and see how they offer their classes.

taking some classes online is fine, but I take issue with getting entire degrees online. I'd look down on it.

Why would you look down on getting a degree online?

Where did you earn your Master's? Do you hire people in your current occupation?

And how would you look down on someone trying to better themselves?

I think it depends on the field. There are some counseling programs that are done almost 90 percent on line with a few campus visits but not for any length of time. Technically when they are done they are counselors. However, most states won't recognize the degree for licensure (and without it you'll have a grand old time finding someone higher you when they can't charge for you as much as they would like) so you have a degree that's essentially useless for you because while you meet academic requirements for that state you don't meet the on campus residency issue OR the counselor experience requirements.

I can't say I'd look down on an on line degree provided it was from an actual school that's relatively well known in your area. However, if it's just an on line degree mill you'd have to convince me you were as well trained as the myriad of folks in my office that completed the degree on a campus.

I agree with Soror, my mother is getting her PhD in Social Work 90% on line from a reputable university in MN. She has met with her school and professor 1 week per semester, during a conference of sorts. She will haver her PhD next may while she's working on her dissertation.

I see nothing wrong with taking courses (all if possible) through online means, as long as it's a creditible university or college.

This is key! Taking courses online is great for balancing your committments but you definitely need to make sure that your degree is worth the paper on which it is printed!

Y'all make excellent points, but I took exception to the blanket disregard for an online degree. There are quite a few highly respected/credentialled schools who have entire online programs with minimal physical contact. And, yes, there are degree mills, as well.

I just think that if someone is honestly trying to improve their lot through education, why the disdain?

Soror it's the same thing with folks attending physical campuses. I know that when I'm done there are folks that are going to look at my degree versus someone that graduated from let's say Duke and the first thing that is going to catch their eye is the school. Now I may be much better trained (may I don't know anyone from Duke) but that's going to be evaluated against WHERE I did the work.

There are some online programs, as we've all agreed on, that don't require much physical contact and for those fields that's great. But for those where it would only seem logical where you HAD to interact with people and you DID NOT do so I'm gonna wonder how much you really know versus how much I'm gonna have to teach you. Lack of practical knowledge in some situations will make my eyebrow furrow wondering what exactly you did in school ROFL. It's not really about them bettering themselves for me but the harsh reality of the job market. Now if you are just getting another degree to get a raise on your current job then I guess it doesn't matter too much. However, if you are getting said degree to either move up or move on then you have to consider how the degree will be viewed longterm.

I'm actually working on my Masters degree online at UC. It's been great so far.

Now what about UOP? I heard that it is no longer valued as many other online programs.

I work for a college that has a long distance Master's program and a PhD program- both very popular with educators.

The program does NOT use online classes, and is actually probably a lot more work than online programs because students pretty much design their curriculum (under some supervision).

If anyone is interested- www.prescott.edu

I am 3 weeks away from earning my MBA at the University of Phoenix. I have had several classmates that work at fortune 500 companies. The school came highly recommended to me. They have the same regional accreditation as traditional schools. I researched them before starting my program - they are the largest private accredited university; they have online and local campuses; they were the first online program; and they continue to be trendsetters in the industry.

As a student, I don't have any complains only good feedback.

Cool. I was up in the air for a moment about doing their program because I've heard both positive and negatives about the school. Of course you will hear that about any school. Since my goal is really to go to law school, I think I'll working on getting accepted for next year and use that as a plan B.