Accelerated Degree Programs

narcolept · #1 04-03-2003, 04:16 PM

Hello All,
Recently I've been looking into accelerated degree programs. I came across University of Phoenix and Nova. Has anyone ever heard of these schools? Are they reputable? I've heard a few things about Nova. One professor told me that they are a "diploma factory" then I've heard other professionals say that many people are beginning to get degrees from there and that their reputation is not what it used to be. If anyone has had any experiences with either of these schools I would like to hear them. I know that accredidation is one thing, but reputation is also important when choosing a school for graduate study. I would hate to purue a degree and not be able to
use it later, because employers think that the school is a "diploma factory". Thanks in advance for any comments.

Confucius · #2 04-03-2003, 04:22 PM

I've only heard about these type of schools.

University of Phoenix is suppose to be quite hard because they give a lot of challenging work. People that I know who attend the Univ. of Phoenix, already have jobs and they are just looking for a degree so that they can meet the requirements to advance with their current company. So, they do not have any plans of looking for a new job.

I know this is not much but I hope it helps.

AKA2D '91 · #3 04-03-2003, 05:40 PM

My cousin received her doctorate via Nova. When I finished grad school, she tried to get me to start the program with her. At that time, I was burned out. She graduated almost 2 years ago. If I would have taken her up on her offer, I would be Dr. 2D.

She's doing okay. She is an assistant principal and doing consulting work on the side.

I know a few people who have gotten their degrees via Univ of Phoenix. I haven't heard them say anything negative as far as employers or employment are concerned.

Marie · #4 04-03-2003, 06:32 PM

My godmother is getting her MBA from University of Phoenix. She is an exec. at IBM and doesn't have the time to sit in a classroom, so their online component is really working for her. I think she's pretty satisfied, and she feels at they are gaining quite a bit of noteriety(sp?) in the bus. world. You should go for it!
Marie

RedefinedDiva · #5 04-03-2003, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
My cousin received her doctorate via Nova. When I finished grad school, she tried to get me to start the program with her. At that time, I was burned out. She graduated almost 2 years ago. If I would have taken her up on her offer, I would be Dr. 2D. She's doing okay. She is an assistant principal and doing consulting work on the side.

I know a few people who have gotten their degrees via Univ of Phoenix. I haven't heard them say anything negative as far as employers or employment are concerned.

How long was the program? Was it only two years? if that's the case, I may have to go for it myself. I am trying to get my Master's right now and I am T-I-R-E-D!!! School is a trip, but I am hanging in there. I have one year to go, then I am going to law school. I have HUGE goals and I am going to achieve them. I looked into U of Phoenix for my Master's, but I wasn't sure if it was credible. I'll have to check into it more. If it's cool, I may try to get a doctorate once I finish my Master's.

Eclipse · #6 04-03-2003, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by narcolept
Hello All,
Recently I've been looking into accelerated degree programs. I came across University of Phoenix and Nova. Has anyone ever heard of these schools? Are they reputable? I've heard a few things about Nova. One professor told me that they are a "diploma factory" then I've heard other professionals say that many people are beginning to get degrees from there and that their reputation is not what it used to be. If anyone has had any experiences with either of these schools I would like to hear them. I know that accredidation is one thing, but reputation is also important when choosing a school for graduate study. I would hate to purue a degree and not be able to
use it later, because employers think that the school is a "diploma factory". Thanks in advance for any comments.

I've heard similar things about Nova, although I have a former coworker who is getting her PhD through them and she said it's not a cake walk. Since I am not in recruiting anymore I can't give you any additional insight, but I suggest you call some of the larger, more prestigious companies in your area and see if you can speak with a recruiter to get their take. Bottom line, it's what the folks that will be potentiallly hiring you think that matters the most. Word to the wise, most recruiters guard their personal phone lines like Ft. Knox. It will take some creativity to get through to a live person!

btb87 · #7 04-03-2003, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by narcolept
I've heard a few things about Nova. One professor told me that they are a "diploma factory" then I've heard other professionals say that many people are beginning to get degrees from there and that their reputation is not what it used to be.

narcolept,

In what area are you planning to get your degree?

A co-worker and I were talking about Nova just last week, and he brought up this same information, but mentioned that he's been told that their reputation has improved. The director of my daughter's school earned her Ed.D. from Nova. I'm not sure how long it took her, but I can check with her when we go back to school next week.

Confucius · #8 04-03-2003, 09:04 PM

I think I am going to do a little more research on these two new learning institutions.

I am looking at universities in the Miami area but like a lot of Master and Phd candidates, I work full time. I need evening classes that are flexible.

Mz Destiny · #9 04-03-2003, 09:17 PM

is a great school! There are a number of people at my job getting their Master's degrees at the Philadelphia / Valley Forge campus. Their programs are really structured to accomodate the non-traditional student/working professional.

AKA2D '91 · #10 04-04-2003, 08:52 AM

Re: Nova

My cousin came down here once a month on weekends for "classes". After that assignments are completed online. Books are sent directly to your home. For a couple of weeks each summer, you have to go to their main campus in Florida, I think Ft. Lauderdale. I think it took her 2 or 3 years.

Personally, I like the traditional set-up. I want to physically see my teachers. My plan (again undecided) is to work on my doctorate FULL TIME.

Honeykiss1974 · #11 04-04-2003, 11:26 AM

I am currently enrolled in a n Accelerated Degree Program however it is through a "regular" (so to speak) university that has a good reputation regarding their business school. It is an MBA program that last 22 months and it is NOT EASY!! In my program, the classes only last 5-6 weeks and you only meet once a week for classes. So far, it is working great for me as far fitting into my schedule but I do have to put in at least 2 hours a night for studying, homework, projects.

Most local universities offer programs like these, so I would check with them too (aside from just Univ. of Phoenix or Nova). If you want something strickly via the 'net many universities are offering programs like this as well. (Imagine getting a degree from Columbia without ever having set foot on campus).

Oh, just as an FYI the majority of these accelerated programs are not cheap! When i was looking for a program, the average cost was between $15,000-$18,000.

Good Luck!

lovele1978 · #12 04-04-2003, 01:18 PM

My mother is in the PhD program for Nova, and she is working her a$$ off!! The main campus is in Florida and she has to go down there once a semester. Which gives her an excuse to stay down there for a week or two afterwards with some friends that she has down there. From what I hear it is a very good and challenging program.

I also have a co-worker who is attending University of Phoenix. It seems to be a good program from what I hear and she will be graduating sometime next year. Hell if I wasn't already in a grad program at my alma mater I would consider it.

FeeFee · #13 04-04-2003, 02:28 PM

Is anyone familiar with Capella University and their reputation?Their website states that it is regionally accredited, but if possible, I would like some feedback from someone who has a personal experience with the school. I keep tossing back and forth between getting a Master's degree the old fashioned way (going to an actual campus) and via On-line programs.

narcolept · #14 04-05-2003, 02:45 PM

Thanks for the insight everybody. I have really been researching this and I am going to go for it. To answer a few of the questions, the program that I am considering is a Master of Arts in Organizational Management (MAOM). It actually is less than 2 years, it is an 18 month program! That is what really caught my attention. Like someone said, I will have class one night per week, from 6p-10p. The class will change every 6 weeks. I think the schedule is perfect for me, I tend to get bored in classes after the first half of the semester, so the fact that it changes every 6 weeks will be perfect. An you just can't beat 18 months. I am also considering Law School. I was going to do Phoenix's MBA program, but I figured most law schools offer a combination JD-MBA, so I will just get the MAOM now and do the JD-MBA program later.

AKA_Monet · #15 04-05-2003, 03:39 PM

When looking for a secondary degree program, be sure to think about what you really want out of life.

The pros and cons regarding an accelerated program vs a traditional graduate school differ in some "degree" but may be the same in others. One thing to consider is what you can write off for your taxes. If you get an MBA, this may improve your current working situation and you are able to write it off. But there is a stipulation on how may times you can do that, so how long you want to goto school depends on if you can write off your education.

There are issues regarding what your supervisors or bosses think. Someone graduating with a MBA or law degree from Harvard is going to get a better chance than someone from an accelerated degree program. But then again, the traditional programs have more "connections" to outside places.

As far as a Ph.D. goes, where one gets the degree really does not dictate how hard they work for the degree. Either way, a Ph.D. will make folks work their assets off, irregardless of the institution. The whole basis of the this type of degree is one based on original research--be it qualitative or quantitative. Then stipulations on how one has to write up their research findings is dependant on the desires of the institutions. For my Ph.D., I attended a traditional graduate program that decimated my 20-something years. No partying, no fun, no nuthin' till I graduated. It took a long time. I cannot begin to fathom how to do it with a husband and children, but there are folks who do that everyday... Am I happy I lost my 20-something years and donated my life to science? Somewhat. Because I work with M.D.'s on a daily basis, I see what they have to got thru to maintain their M.D. status, and I can see how I couldn't want to do that. Regardless of the perks M.D.'s get.

Either way, regardless of the graduate degrees one pursues, it is a must about the dedication to one's own learning environment that makes one achieve...