*** Very Important Question For The Lounge ***

Would you consider attending an "on-line" university for either Undergrad or Grad School? Do you have any exerience with one you can share? I appreciate ANY and ALL input, especially if you're in the position to potentially hire someone who may or may not have attended one.

offering classes on-line.

I took some master's level classes where we only met once a month in person, and everything else was done on-line. And this was an accredited university.

I would check the school out carefully, make sure it is accredited, and if you are so inclined and they offer an on-line program, go for it.

One thing though; taking classes on-line is very different than taking them in a classroom (IMHO). Even if you are very comfortable working on a computer, it takes a little while to get used to it. On the upside, though, much of the work can be done on your own schedule, rather than on a pre-set schedule.

...I needed to take 6 upper-level classes via distance education. I'm thinking more about schools like Kaplan, TUI, and Western Governor's. Since I'm in the Navy, and stationed overseas, my options are a bit limited.

you do with it?

... has some degree programs which can virtually be completed online.

Has advantages: State School, so low tuition rates, especially when considered to be an in-state student, a traditional "brick & mortar" school so it's not an unknown quantity, if live nearby you can mix online and face-to-face classes.

...and I don't think I got as much out of them as I would have if I had taken them in a classroom. It's tough to replicate what you would learn with debate and discussion, and it's hard for the professor to make sure that the students get from a lesson what they would with a lecture.

I don't know how the online only universities work around this problem, but if they use a system called Blackboard, run for the fucking hills.

AFAIK the UNC schools do - NC A&T, UNC-G, East Carolina all to my knowledge use Blackboard.

...we call it WebPsycho.

He'd already been to college right after high school, but he wanted a Business Management degree. The group he worked with throughout his time at UoP were all in the same boat as he was, 30- and 40-something working professionals.

If it is accredited, then I don't see the difference I guess. A lot of courses can be done online these days anyway. I also guess it would depend on the type of courses. Sometimes I think you need a classroom setting.

your goal is a degree that gets you a job, I would certainly advise seeking out a school with a good reputation. Online classes can be great or not so depending on school and instructor. I got my BS at a Brick and Mortar, worked on my Masters both in person and online and now I take classes (for me!) exclusively online and love it. I am not in position to hire now, in the past I have and how credits are earned is not nearly as important as other factors.

but if you explain that you were taking them while in the Navy you should be able to get around that. Just make sure the school is accredited. If it were me I'd avoid the for-profits.

Where are you stationed? University of Maryland offers overseas courses for active-duty military. They may have something near you or offer online courses that fit what you need. Check their website: http://www.umuc.edu/index.shtml

Good luck!

....but their graduate programs aren't exactly what I'm looking for so I'm looking at other options. I still may go with them, when all is said and done.

and it appears to me, to be a very involved/self motivated course program. At first I had doubts about Capella, because I've seen some of my friends go to the University of Phoenix online and their classes/set up was somewhat dubious.

My wife is getting her BA this Dec, and plans on getting her MBA through Capella...

eta:to clarify.

...so she's happy with the quality of the education so far?

the reason why she went with Capella, is that her current employer thought very highly of Capella, and has/will hire people who get their degree from Capella.

One class is about 1500 dollars, usually about 100 bucks for books, and the class is a 6 credit class. It works well with her, because she is a working student, she doesn't have enough time in the day to do her own job, and go to classes on top of that, unless they were on the weekend/or online...

She opted for online, when she does get her BA she is either going to stick with Capella, or go to the University of Arkansas...U of A has a few programs that fit my wife's schedule better, and with a reduced cost(being cheaper than Capella).

I'm not that tech saavy. :shrug:

...A large number use a program called Blackboard. University of Maryland, for example, uses WebTycho. I'm actually on Capella's page right now.

has a blackboard reference:

http://www.capella.edu/online_learning/elearning_capella_index.aspx

At least, as legit as any other university. They're fairly academically rigorous and are a "real" university, just as much as a brick and mortar school.

was on-line or a campus deal. I'd look at the class schedule and grades equally. I'm one of those that believes more in the person than the college resume part of it all. Plus, if I hire you, you have precisely 90 days to prove my choice right or wrong.

As I understand it, much of the more savvy and young in management are of the same mindset.

is the give-and-take of the classroom, and studying with friends, exchanging notes, and socializing. That's how you begin to establish a network that will serve you for the rest of your life.

There's more to an education than books and lectures. Consider the gestalt................

what does age have to do with it? There is no age limit on intelligent, informed, curious discourse.

We're all students, if we're lucky - some of us are in classrooms, and some of us aren't.

But why would age keep you from participating in a traditional educational experience?

...setting as you've described. It would be nice, but not realistic in my current situation.

My times in grad schools are the happiest I can remember. And the most fulfilling. The friends I made are friends for life! So much of what I learned I learned from my fellow grad students after hours at the library, each other's dorm/apartment, or the local water hole. We exchange ideas, philosophies, and theories that I don't think one could glean from an online curriculum.

On a counter-note: I tried taking one online course once and dropped it. I did not find it intellectually satisfying at all!

They have a division called LEEP where they offer various undergrad and graduate programs. This track allows someone already employed to keep their job and progress through the coursework as their time allows.
For undergrad, many schools have good distance learning programs. Western Illinois, my alma mater has a very good one. Northern Iowa as well. For distance ed with more nationally known schools Texas Tech has an excellent program, LSU as well.