Getting my degree... advice?

I earned my Bachelor's degree at the University of Phoenix for Software Engineering, and I loved it. I personally do not think online colleges are less credible than brick-and-mortar colleges. Experience is much more important that where you earned your degree. I have been having trouble finding a job in my field, but not because of the school I went to. They all tell me that they are looking for someone with two to five years work experience in software development, and not one has mentioned the college I went to.

Luckily for me, I am able to develop at work. From the development that I have been doing at work, my company is most likely going to promote me to a full time programmer. If that falls through, at least I am getting tons of work experience, which I can put on my resume.

If it wasn't for online school, I would have never went to college. I also feel that I learned a ton more online than I would have going to a traditional school. I always did horrible in junior high and high school, because I worked full time, and was so tired all of the time. I also missed a ton of days. With online school, I was able to go to class when it was best for me. I ended up with a 3.78 GPA, because I learn much better on my own than with a teacher trying to teach me.

Good luck on whatever you do decide.

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Originally Posted by reptileexperts

Good point Jedi - But still, Kaplan is a brick and morter / online. There is a local branch of Kaplan here for students that use the online class to have a place to go for testing, and even lab course work. When most people hear online degree they think of the University of Phoenix. . . Not bragging here either - but it took me every part of 4 and a half years going to class and working full time to finish my degree from a brick and morter in B.S. Biology / Chemistry, and A.S. in Natural Sciences / Geology.

Business school is one of those good exceptions that the class load can be done via online classwork without much negativity! And yes, most reputable places will make it harder ;-) After all you're paying for an education, NOT a degree! I'm happy to say I know what I know because I studied and learned, not because I went to college. Anyone can pass a class with a C and never learn the point of a single lecture, it's not too difficult. Congrats on Suma Cum Laude, it was always cool getting named on the presidents and deans lists here :-)

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University of Phoenix has branches all over too. There are two in my area. You are able to take many of the courses at the branches, and go there to study or test.

I earned my Bachelor's degree in a standard program at the University of Georgia. My Master of Science was through a joint online/on grounds program at Brenau University. Employers don't care how you got your degree, as long as it is from an accredited institution and can be applied to the job and career you are pursuing. This doesn't mean you have to become a psychologist if you want a psychology degree, but be prepared to explain why that education is beneficial to the field you do want to enter. My Master's is in Organizational Leadership, and I currently work in Supply & Logistics. The standard fields for that degree are Human Resources and Occupational Therapy, which I have zero interest in. However, I can easily explain to potential employers the benefits of my education in change management, leadership, etc., for almost any position I pursue in the future.

As a side note: My online courses were actually more expensive than my on ground courses per credit hour, so that is something to keep in mind. I also felt that I got the most benefit out of the courses where I had peers to discuss and expand upon theories and ideas with, which is much more limited when communicating through online forums.

Thanks for all the responses, guys =) Gives me some things to mull over.

This may or may not help but ill give my opinion as a current college student. I took all in class courses my first semster and this semester im doing 3 on campus and one online class. The online class is a math class, which isnt my best subject but im also not terrible at it. I dont really like it though which doesnt help lol. It is by far the most demanding class im taking and it requires a ton of self discipline to log on everyday or every other day to do HW, quizzes, labs, tests, and exams. If youre the type of person who procrastinates or hates sitting in front of a computer then do not take online classes! It will be a waste of money. It would be more beneficial to take only 1 or 2 classes a semester at your local community college or university. Or maybe split it and do 2 online and 2 on campus. Also another thing is my school has hybrid courses where you meet once a week in the class to do a lab or whatever and then you do all the work online. Im taking one of those too for bio and i like it alot.
These are all just some things to consider :)

What ever you do, make sure all your credit will go to new school. Also do something you will use and love, I do not use mine and my both my girls have ther BA's and working one working on a Master for she now become a teacher which is not what she left collage with, she is a Astrophysics, Astronomy, Math Major with 35 K in debit in loans and cost of school 120 K and still has to pay for the masters. I have done online classes and they can be very hard, with any help from teachers or others and time does become a problem when you have kid and pets and work (ARMY). But you do have Pets lots and work, it relley depends on the online school for employment, I worked in the Army which it did not matter, State Government where it matter and Federal Government not so much and the Civilian Side where it did also but more in management. Just be wise with what little time and money you have.

Terrance

I think that fields such as software engineering, IT, Information Systems, etc are far more likely to disregard (read: accept) the "Online" aspect to your education. However, if you desire a position in medicine, I can assure you that online programs are still regarded as substandard. While certainly unfair, as a health care practitioner, brick and mortar reigns supreme.

Education, of any variety, is a quality path when faced with the alternative.

Regards,
Hopkins

Do something you Love, or you will just get caught up as you get older in something just to make the bills. Find Your Love and go after it.

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Originally Posted by Anatopism

So I am more and more aware of the fact that I need to finish school. I have a couple years completed from the university of Nebraska, but I stopped taking classes a while back due to trying to pay for rent/bills/car insurance, etc.

I still don't feel like I have the time or money for a traditional university/college, and have been looking into online schools. I have a couple I am looking at, but honestly, I would be getting a degree for the sake of having one, and programs I'm really interested in don't really exist in online/distance learning form.

If I am getting a psych degree, with no plans to actually go into psychology, will the average employer really see online schooling any differently than a traditional school, or is it only relevant that I have a degree at all? I want to be able to go at my pace financially, balancing work/bills/school, but I don't want to start an online program only to find out most employers see this type of education as less credible than a traditional approach.

Need some advice for anybody who has a similar experience or input! Please and thank you :)

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Originally Posted by Anatopism

If I am getting a psych degree, with no plans to actually go into psychology, will the average employer really see online schooling any differently than a traditional school, or is it only relevant that I have a degree at all? I want to be able to go at my pace financially, balancing work/bills/school, but I don't want to start an online program only to find out most employers see this type of education as less credible than a traditional approach.

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Have you considered majoring in another department?
I mean, why get a psych degree if you don't plan on pursuing a related career? Isn't that a waste of an education, time, and money? What sort of career are you interested in?

Also, grad school is the new undergrad.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Have you considered majoring in another department?
I mean, why get a psych degree if you don't plan on pursuing a related career? Isn't that a waste of an education, time, and money? What sort of career are you interested in?

Also, grad school is the new undergrad.

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I have considered psychology for animal assisted therapy. I am also interested on phobias. I like helping people, but I would love to do something with animals. I suck at math... borderline panicky in a math class. Didn't do too bad in physics classes, but definitely struggled through chemistry. I don't want to be a vet, but am much more interested in the exotics. Honestly I would be happy cleaning rhino and tiger poo from a zoo enclosure, if only to be near the animals. I have also pondered the idea of animal behavior, but I don't really want do do dog training, again, more interested in the exotics.