ONLINE DEGREES - MY OPINIONS
I have a Masters degree in information technology from Capella University. I did some research a few years back and talked to many people in regards to school and what was the best way to get a degree 'on my own' (as in I am footing the bill). What I came away with was that for a working father of four, online school was a really nice fit and the stigma behind it was dropping fast. I found that a large percentage of traditional brick-and-mortar schools were offering online courses and many were offering degree programs as well. It seems to be a pretty big business - and big business gets a lot of attention.
But I am not much of a business man, I don't fret about that kind of thing. What I did fret about is how much a Master's degree would help my family. Sure it costs money but you have to spend it to make it right? A masters degree provides really good ROR (Return on Resume) and opens doors for a person. It did for me. Since I started going to school my salary has tripled; I would not have gotten the opportunities I have gotten without a degree. And without Capella; I would not have been able to get a degree.
I can honestly say that my coursework online was harder than my classroom work. I went through several schools to get my Bachelors - finally getting it through Herzing college here in Birmingham. What I found is that I can take tests really well and I can write notes and gather enough information half listening to instructors to pass. Sounds lazy but its true. I managed to keep a 3.0 GPA while doing the assigned homework and cramming for a couple of hours before tests. But with my online work it was significantly different. It was all on me - the research, the writing, everything. Capella doesn't so tests in the Masters program, there is a project every course that makes up anywhere from 45 to 60 percent of your grade. And we are talking about 30 page papers or programs that have to include a certain amount of functionality - stuff that takes a while. All with proper APA format and ran through a verifier to prove that there was no plagiarism. If I had questions I had to figure them out on my own (not that the instructor wouldn't help but there is a time limit and it was easier to just do the research myself). I had to work for my 3.0 GPA.
There was many a night I was up till way after midnight - knowing that the kids were waking up a 6AM regardless of how much sleep I had. I wanted to quit many times but I didn't. And if I had to do it all again I would. Online degree's hold the same weight as a classroom earned degree in my opinion. I would argue that with anyone.
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