Online College Courses

[cgarr]

Are they worth it or a waste of time and money?

[masraum]

They are worth what you put into them.

I took some classes a couple of years ago at a local community college. I took a few regular classes and tried to take one or two online classes a semester. I got something out of my online classes.

[Tishabet]

Depends entirely on the school IMHO. I have heard mixed reviews of the "online colleges" that exist only in cyberspace, and they still have a stigma whether deserved or not.

I've taken an online course through Harvard and thought it was great... the course was being taught "in person" during the semester and someone would video the lecture and post it on the course website, so I could watch it whenever it was convenient for me. It was incredibly helpful to me to be able to rewind the lecture or listen to it a second time over my car stereo while I drove to work.

I had to show up in person to take the midterm and final because I was local, but students outside of the new england area were able to take their exams at home.

[legion]

If you just want to learn something for your own info, they are fine.

If you want to use one to advance your career, they are not a good option IMO. I'm not saying the level of instruction is necessarily bad, but they get no respect from employers. Keep in mind, "online college" ranges all the way from a non-accredited degree factory, to what Grant is discussing. In the current environment, employers are flooded with applicants and won't take the time to verify the quality of an online college.

[pookie]

Just make sure it is an accredited school and it should be fine. Someone more in the know might help, but schools can acheive different accredidations. I believe you want something that is preferably nationally accredited, and regionally accredited. This means it is a real school and not just a degree factory. As long as it is a reutable school you should have no problem.

As far as taking classes online, some programs are great and some suck. I've been involved with both. I've taken ones like Tishabet has where the lecture is recorded and you watch it, and I've taken ones where you have assignments that you work and do on your own time. I think you honestly get out what you put into it. If you got at it half assed you won't find it worth it. The hardest for me was that I was required to take a online masters level statistics class. I am a math moron so working a stats class with no personal instructor interaction was horrible. I'll also suggest that if you are a person that can go to a lecture and lesson to what is presented and then regurgitate that information at exam time online courses are probably not for you. Online courses usually involve alot more individual assignments, readings and research.

Hope that helps.

[rattlsnak]

while i'm sure their are many 'cheap' online schools out there, i think the stigma of the 'cheesy online degree' have dimished somewhat. my wife works for a HUGE beverage company and THEY sent her (paid for) to an online college (accredited) to get her masters and they have several undergrad and techincal classes that employees can take. everyone i talked to who has gone through the program swears it was MUCH harder and they learned much more than at a brick and mortar college.

[URY914]

Is it an on-line class from a real bricks and mortar college or an on-line class from some "school" trying to soak up VA benefits and other financal aid? Is it a non-profit college or a for profit?

My wife works at a real 4 year state university in the graduate admissions dept. The crap that students bring in to her thinking that they have earned real college credit is a joke.

[Talewinds]

The above sentiments mirror what the community at large still perceives about "online degrees", and I have to agree. The content of the online classes is certainly worthy, and sometimes more difficult and time consuming than classes held in-person.
The sad reality is that when hiring managers see a resume with a University of Phoenix Online degree listed proudly, it goes in the trash. Those degrees, regardless of how legitimate the TV commercials are for them, are not relevant.

[Robert Adams]

My daughter just spent two summers and her last break taking on-line courses to supplement her regular classes toward her BA at a local State University. She took the courses at that same institution that she is enrolled in. She does go full time, but decided to take these classes separately (2) accounting and another math course because math isn't her best study area and felt she would need the time to deal with just the one course, one on one. I'll say she spent the better part of 5 hours a day for 6 weeks, got her A, but worked her Axx off doing so. I don't know if I agree or disagree about on line degree schools vs brick & mortar colleges being better or worse, however, common sense tells me I would rather hire someone who went to a 'college/university' I had heard off and knew had a track record for turning out a high level product vs an on line school that I haven't heard of or know nothing about their track record. Due diligence is on my shoulders if I was an employer, but if given the two options I would probably take the easy way out by selecting the candidate from a known college/university. I suspect many in that position would do the same. Can't fight human nature.
That said, taking a on line course is perfectly acceptable in this day and age, just do it with a known and respected educational institution in your field of interest. They all charge pretty much the same ridiculous amount of money so go to the one that offers the most in a good reputation and that might even be able to help you find a job when you are done.
Just my 2cents.