Online Bachelor's Degree advice

[850credit]

First and foremost, any and all advice is much appreciated. Hopefully this can help me and others in my position take the plunge and go back to school.

Anyone have experience with an online college program?

I'm at the point in my career where I can't go farther without a Bachelor's at minimum. My research has led me to look at University of Chicago-Illinois online Business Administration program. Just wondering if anyone has any advice regarding issues with online programs:

Academic reputation
Admission
Graduation rates/job placement rates

I just am trying to get over the sinking feeling that an online degree might not be valued in the job market as much as a traditional one...don't want to waste time and money, which is why I'm looking at established traditional schools with online programs.

I am paying out of pocket, already have previous college debt.

Again thanks for all advice.

 

[peterlongshort]

Go with your gut homie. Some part of you is saying no, listen to it.

 

[marcvoi]

dont apply to the expensive commercialized popular ones. keep digging and it seems like you ha e one in mind then good luck. at the end of the day its an investment in yourself

 

[Problematic]

sounds like you're on the right track...if you absolutely have to get one this route definitely go through a program from a well established brick and mortar state u.

as mentioned by other posters no devry, u of phx, or any of that other bullshit (even though all higher ed is essentially a racket)

props on doing it w/o adding on student loans and becoming a debt slave for a longer period of time

 

[water]

why go to school online for business administration?

What field are you?/ What do you do?

 

[jdubbs]

I'm in the technical field with 2 technical degees, one which is online. My job don't care, they just want to know if you're able to retain information. Good luck man. I was looking at relocating at one point because of the same thing. Luckily things didn't go that far yet.

 

[FISHGREASE]

From talking to executives and consultants. The major benefit of obtaining a MBA is networking and projects. Which makes an online MBA not as marketable as an traditional MBA. I'm taking online college course at a community college which is cheaper than private online classes and less rigorous than 4 years university( getting to know future executives). Make sure what ever degree you obtain is marketable. DM me for more insight.

 

[850credit]

why go to school online for business administration?

What field are you?/ What do you do?

I'm in Underwriting. My job will pay for me to acquire industry training (CPCU) but you really don't have much chance of moving up without at least a Bachelor's. I am looking at business administration because I want to use the knowledge to help me build a real estate company so I don't have to work for the man forever.

My job doesn't care what degree you have as long as it's business related and offers tuition reimbursement.

 

[Mentor B]

First and foremost, any and all advice is much appreciated. Hopefully this can help me and others in my position take the plunge and go back to school.

Anyone have experience with an online college program?

I'm at the point in my career where I can't go farther without a Bachelor's at minimum. My research has led me to look at University of Chicago-Illinois online Business Administration program. Just wondering if anyone has any advice regarding issues with online programs:

Academic reputation
Admission
Graduation rates/job placement rates

I just am trying to get over the sinking feeling that an online degree might not be valued in the job market as much as a traditional one...don't want to waste time and money, which is why I'm looking at established traditional schools with online programs.

I am paying out of pocket, already have previous college debt.

Again thanks for all advice.

I don't know if you'll take heed to my advice, but I have some extra time so I will give it anyway:

First off, good job on considering an institution like University of Chicago-Illinois. It's always going to be a better choice over degree farms like Strayer University (the one Steve Harvey is a spokesperson for).

Whether you physically attend classes or take them online at UIC doesn't really make a difference in the quality of your credential from that school.

You sound like a grown man. So if online courses are more convenient, then just got that route. It's no big deal.

Now, I read that you were paying out of pocket. That's a no-no. See if you can get someone or another entity to pay for you.

I'm kinda putting my business out there, but so far, I've worked for three companies that actually pay for their employees' education: CitiMortgage, Verizon Wireless, and JP Morgan. A business degree, too?!?!

Dude, it's all kind of companies that will pay for that if and when you work for them. I hope everything goes your way and things fall in place for you. Good luck!

 

[Problematic]

See if you can get someone or another entity to pay for you.

I'm kinda putting my business out there, but so far, I've worked for three companies that actually pay for their employees' education: CitiMortgage, Verizon Wireless, and JP Morgan. A business degree, too?!?!

Dude, it's all kind of companies that will pay for that if and when you work for them. I hope everything goes your way and things fall in place for you. Good luck!

^^^ absolutely

in order of preference for higher ed payment:

- tuition reimbursement
- grants
- your own cash

 

[850credit]

Well, my job does tuition reimbursement but they cap it and it doesn't cover the entire cost...I have a lot of college debt already so I didn't want to go into more debt. I would rather pay the difference myself and be done with it (if I can't get any grants).

I chose U of Illinois-Chicago because they are ranked no. 2 for 2015 Online Colleges by US News/World Reports.

 

[850credit]

Also I may be accepting an offer from another company soon which would increase my current salary by 50 percent, which would make it much easier to take care of school myself. For a person in my area and situation (no kids) it's a good salary but to go further I must have a degree.

 

[KA$H]

Go to a state school, most state schools offer online courses for 1/3 the price. That's what I did and was able to finish in 2 years. $60,000 for an online degree is the norm and highly ridiculous. It's just another way to build debt in millenial America.

 

[g0nbad real bad]

Hommie I will graduate August 1st from Alabama. I am completing a BS in Business Commerce that I did completely online.

Took me 4 1/2 years but I'm 43 with a 7 year old 2 grown daughters a job and side business to run.

Was it expensive YES! Will it help not sure but I want to be able to show my son I did it. Also, don't know what job I may apply for where it will be required.

Suggestions:

Don't do any private or for profit schools: If you want to change schools later those credits won't go with you.

If you set aside maybe 3 days a week 3-4 hours it'll make the difference in studying and passing.

Search for books online before you buy them there are a lot of online rentals available.

Good luck

 

[crossovernegro]

I went the traditional route for my first 90 credits, then finished off my last 25-30 credits via distance learning (online and self study). My first advice would be to not worry about job placement stats since you're already working.

For reputation, right now, definitely stick to traditional schools that have online programs. The name recognition will help a great deal should any potential or current employer have any doubts.

Also, make sure the school is regionally accredited... this is actually the most important thing if you plan to or may at some point want to transfer credits to another school. See this site for regionally accredited schools:

http://www.chea.org/Directories/regional.asp

With a school has that regional accreditation, the classes you take there, whether they be online, self study or on campus, the credits will most likely transfer to any other regionally accredited school. So if you take principals of statistics 101 at okeydoke community college, or okeydoke college via online learning, those principals of statistics 101 credits will transfer to UCLA or Rutgers or whereever.

If you get your BS/BA from a school that has accreditation, but is an all or mostly distance school, you'll have some people question it or throw some shade your way, so be prepared for that. As online classes become more and more the norm (and they really are by now) it will become less of a problem. I can honestly say that I studied more and put in more work for those last credits I did via distance than I did for the classes I took on campus.

Oh... and you really should avoid "for profit" schools if you can. Just bad reps. For instance, University of Phoenix (for profit school)... I think they have retained their accreditaion, but they almost got it taken away for some of their practices recently. I would avoid them based upon the for profit thing and he fact that they came this close to losing accreditation.

First and foremost, any and all advice is much appreciated. Hopefully this can help me and others in my position take the plunge and go back to school.

Anyone have experience with an online college program?

I'm at the point in my career where I can't go farther without a Bachelor's at minimum. My research has led me to look at University of Chicago-Illinois online Business Administration program. Just wondering if anyone has any advice regarding issues with online programs:

Academic reputation
Admission
Graduation rates/job placement rates

I just am trying to get over the sinking feeling that an online degree might not be valued in the job market as much as a traditional one...don't want to waste time and money, which is why I'm looking at established traditional schools with online programs.

I am paying out of pocket, already have previous college debt.

Again thanks for all advice.

 

[gene cisco]

Also I may be accepting an offer from another company soon which would increase my current salary by 50 percent, which would make it much easier to take care of school myself. For a person in my area and situation (no kids) it's a good salary but to go further I must have a degree.

Shit, you can test out your bachelors and have a graduate degree from the school of your choice(not limited to online programs) in the time most people complete an undergrad.

Start here....

http://www.degreeforum.net/forum.php

Shop for your graduate program before finishing so you know of any GPA requirements beforehand. Many people on those forums have done what you are trying to do.

 

[RimRod]

Check out http://www.wgu.edu. They seem to be pretty legit as AT&T does tuition reimbursements with these folk and actually recommend them. They also don't do the credit hour charge, but based on the term. For example you could do a 6 month term and pay 3 grand, but take as many classes as you like. I'm probably gonna start in September.

 

[incogneg]

I don't know if you'll take heed to my advice, but I have some extra time so I will give it anyway:

First off, good job on considering an institution like University of Chicago-Illinois. It's always going to be a better choice over degree farms like Strayer University (the one Steve Harvey is a spokesperson for).

Whether you physically attend classes or take them online at UIC doesn't really make a difference in the quality of your credential from that school.

You sound like a grown man. So if online courses are more convenient, then just got that route. It's no big deal.

Now, I read that you were paying out of pocket. That's a no-no. See if you can get someone or another entity to pay for you.

I'm kinda putting my business out there, but so far, I've worked for three companies that actually pay for their employees' education: CitiMortgage, Verizon Wireless, and JP Morgan. A business degree, too?!?!

Dude, it's all kind of companies that will pay for that if and when you work for them. I hope everything goes your way and things fall in place for you. Good luck!

Co-muthafuckin-sign... Did a quick google search:

http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/rankings?int=999208

Don't know where OP is located, etc, but i'm all about reputation of the schools. Definitely no 'degree farms', strictly online schools... Lots of big names getting in the game. Look within this list and do your research and pick best Business program. Definitely know a lot of Penn State guys with success in business, also pace (but that's also b/c lived in Northeast for a while). Pick based on location for reputation. Good luck.

University of Illinois--Chicago is right at top of list, so you've done your research already. Good luck.

In case you think about grad degree someday, don't go to nonsense undergrad (degree farms)...

Also if you look hard enough, someone will help you pay. There's scholarship money out there!

 

[850credit]

I can honestly say never quit, forget about how long it's taking or what other people are doing. Just work your plan and you'll get there in due time.

 

[850credit]

Got accepted to MBA program today.

100 percent online. Job will cover the cost.

2 classes at a time, 8 week classes, be done in a year and a half.

47 years young!