Online Universities

[PHBeerman]

Just avoid the University of Phoenix type schools.

And here I was thinking that was one of the good ones.. What's wrong this U of Phoenix?

It is one of those Universities without walls.

University of Phoenix DOES have some walls. I know they have a "campus" in Dallas. I know someone who has attended classes at this campus. Now I can't vouch for the education he's receiving but he's not doing it online - he's doing it in a classroom.

Space rented in an old strip mall does not really count.

[Karin]

What I'm wondering more though is if any of you know how employers look at online universities? As a whole do they tend to dismiss applicants who got their MBA online or is it just kind of hit and miss depending on the individual employer? Anyone have any experience with this?

I would assume it depends on the location you are in... if you want to stay urban & subsequently a highly competative market, then best of luck... Off the top of my head, I know that some of my direct administrators (managers, in an academic setting) received their advanced degrees from U of Michigan, U of Chicago, Harvard, Loyola, and Columbia. It's going to be hard for me to compete with those people having a degree from DePaul (and 5 years of healthcare experience.)

If (and when) I'm in upper management... if I have a choice between a Columbia grad and an online university grad... it's a no-brainer.

Agreed. However, if the choice was between a Columbia grad with no experience and an on-line university grad with 5 or more years of applicable experience. . . If you are looking to change fields - the classroom experience will be key - but if this is to make you more marketable and excel within your own field, I don't think it is as important.

I have been looking at a few on-line universitys to finish my masters. (My schedule will not allow for classroom time). I have found that most, require some classroom time - once a month/two months. NYU has a summer program - and I believe a weekend only program for a Masters. Fordham, Walden and Johns Hopkins - are the ones I have narrowed it down to.

I can tell you - for all the on-line programs I have looked at - they require much more time than you would think. I took a few classes (that I hope will transfer!!) - and they required a lot of Essay and conference/phone lectures.

[ph4ever]

Just avoid the University of Phoenix type schools.

And here I was thinking that was one of the good ones.. What's wrong this U of Phoenix?

It is one of those Universities without walls.

University of Phoenix DOES have some walls. I know they have a "campus" in Dallas. I know someone who has attended classes at this campus. Now I can't vouch for the education he's receiving but he's not doing it online - he's doing it in a classroom.

Space rented in an old strip mall does not really count.

Actually it's in a very nice multi story office building

[ph4ever]

What I'm wondering more though is if any of you know how employers look at online universities? As a whole do they tend to dismiss applicants who got their MBA online or is it just kind of hit and miss depending on the individual employer? Anyone have any experience with this?

I would assume it depends on the location you are in... if you want to stay urban & subsequently a highly competative market, then best of luck... Off the top of my head, I know that some of my direct administrators (managers, in an academic setting) received their advanced degrees from U of Michigan, U of Chicago, Harvard, Loyola, and Columbia. It's going to be hard for me to compete with those people having a degree from DePaul (and 5 years of healthcare experience.)

If (and when) I'm in upper management... if I have a choice between a Columbia grad and an online university grad... it's a no-brainer.

Pretend you grauduated from a well known university with a Masters in the field of your choice...you are in charge of hiring...10 applicants from Columbia, Harvard, UCLA, USC, Villanova blah blah and one from the University of Phoenix or DeVry.........who would you dismiss without hesitation?

I thought DeVry was one of the tops in the technology field. They have a fairly large campus in Irving Texas.

What often dilineates a good school from a so so school especially in advanced degrees is their ability/funding to conduct research..DeVry perhaps well known for technology is not well known for advanced research..A masters in science..any science will be heavily ladened with research criteria...a PhD....3x as much..Though I know little of DeVry I cannot imagine the same talent attracted to DeVry is as equally attracted to Harvard, Notre Dame or USC

DeVry does not offer a sience degrees - it's primarily focus is business, technology and management.

What you plan to do in life depends on where you go to become educated for your field. A person wanting to be a horologist wouldn't go to Harvard, Notre Dame or USC. A person wanting to be a research scientist wouldn't want to go to DeVry. A person wanting a job as an IT manager or with the ultimate goal to open up their own company specializing in IT management would go to DeVry. Just because a person dosn't attend a major university dosn't mean they got a lesser education than someone who did, depending on their chosen field. The company I work for contracts out our IT services to such a company started by such a person at a cost of 5 figures a month. This guy runs his company out of his home (tax deduction there) and employees 2 other IT techs for the services he offers our company. So basically he pays no overhead at all - just employee salaries.

There are many trades schools that offer a better hands on experience that is really more important. Many people who go to trade schools make good money, and have excellent job opportunities when they get out of their school, depending on their trade. Trends are now for employers to pay off student loans with a 2 year employment contract on top of very good salaries. Trade schools are not cheep either. I know - my son is graduating high school at the end of this month and starts his trade school July 5th. He has goals, plans for the future and starting his own business. I have no doubt that in the future those grads from Harvard, Notre Dame and USC will be coming to him for his expertise and will be paying big bucks for it as well.

Don't discount the person because of where they went to school. Don't discount the school because it's not a major university. Where schools are concerned it all boils down to what your plans for your future are and to attend the best possible school to make that happen.

[ToplessRideFL]

Check out a place called BISK education. They offer higher degrees online through REAL universities. Not sure which degrees are through which school, but they are real schools...one is here in FL...I know its real! LOL And BISK is located down the street from my office so I know they are for real.

But seriously, I am a recruiter and specialize in upper level health care jobs (Directer level and up). My firm covers the entire country, I happen to have the NE as my territory. PM me if you have any questions.

[PHBeerman]

What I'm wondering more though is if any of you know how employers look at online universities? As a whole do they tend to dismiss applicants who got their MBA online or is it just kind of hit and miss depending on the individual employer? Anyone have any experience with this?

I would assume it depends on the location you are in... if you want to stay urban & subsequently a highly competative market, then best of luck... Off the top of my head, I know that some of my direct administrators (managers, in an academic setting) received their advanced degrees from U of Michigan, U of Chicago, Harvard, Loyola, and Columbia. It's going to be hard for me to compete with those people having a degree from DePaul (and 5 years of healthcare experience.)

If (and when) I'm in upper management... if I have a choice between a Columbia grad and an online university grad... it's a no-brainer.

Pretend you grauduated from a well known university with a Masters in the field of your choice...you are in charge of hiring...10 applicants from Columbia, Harvard, UCLA, USC, Villanova blah blah and one from the University of Phoenix or DeVry.........who would you dismiss without hesitation?

I thought DeVry was one of the tops in the technology field. They have a fairly large campus in Irving Texas.

What often dilineates a good school from a so so school especially in advanced degrees is their ability/funding to conduct research..DeVry perhaps well known for technology is not well known for advanced research..A masters in science..any science will be heavily ladened with research criteria...a PhD....3x as much..Though I know little of DeVry I cannot imagine the same talent attracted to DeVry is as equally attracted to Harvard, Notre Dame or USC

DeVry does not offer a sience degrees - it's primarily focus is business, technology and management.

What you plan to do in life depends on where you go to become educated for your field. A person wanting to be a horologist wouldn't go to Harvard, Notre Dame or USC. A person wanting to be a research scientist wouldn't want to go to DeVry. A person wanting a job as an IT manager or with the ultimate goal to open up their own company specializing in IT management would go to DeVry. Just because a person dosn't attend a major university dosn't mean they got a lesser education than someone who did, depending on their chosen field. The company I work for contracts out our IT services to such a company started by such a person at a cost of 5 figures a month. This guy runs his company out of his home (tax deduction there) and employees 2 other IT techs for the services he offers our company. So basically he pays no overhead at all - just employee salaries.

There are many trades schools that offer a better hands on experience that is really more important. Many people who go to trade schools make good money, and have excellent job opportunities when they get out of their school, depending on their trade. Trends are now for employers to pay off student loans with a 2 year employment contract on top of very good salaries. Trade schools are not cheep either. I know - my son is graduating high school at the end of this month and starts his trade school July 5th. He has goals, plans for the future and starting his own business. I have no doubt that in the future those grads from Harvard, Notre Dame and USC will be coming to him for his expertise and will be paying big bucks for it as well.

Don't discount the person because of where they went to school. Don't discount the school because it's not a major university. Where schools are concerned it all boils down to what your plans for your future are and to attend the best possible school to make that happen.

They claim to specialize on business and management. However, I just checked and they are not AACSB accredited. This is the accreditation that separates the good schools from the bad. And I know from experience that tech school grads (Devry and ITT mostly) are not hired readily in the business world. Where I currently work, and when I used to work at HP, we would pitch those resumes in the round file.

When it comes to an IT education with a specialization in management. These institutions are selling a fantasy. A 2 year degree that will get you the same respect as a 4 year bachelors. It just is not going to happen. This is not saying that there is not a place for these educational tracts.

[ToplessRideFL]

When do you need to make a decision. I have placed top CEOs and COOs in top hospital positions... I can ask around if you like.

[ToplessRideFL]

A 2 year degree that will get you the same respect as a 4 year bachelors. It just is not going to happen.

CORRECT!

[iuparrothead]

What I'm wondering more though is if any of you know how employers look at online universities? As a whole do they tend to dismiss applicants who got their MBA online or is it just kind of hit and miss depending on the individual employer? Anyone have any experience with this?

I would assume it depends on the location you are in... if you want to stay urban & subsequently a highly competative market, then best of luck... Off the top of my head, I know that some of my direct administrators (managers, in an academic setting) received their advanced degrees from U of Michigan, U of Chicago, Harvard, Loyola, and Columbia. It's going to be hard for me to compete with those people having a degree from DePaul (and 5 years of healthcare experience.)

If (and when) I'm in upper management... if I have a choice between a Columbia grad and an online university grad... it's a no-brainer.

Agreed. However, if the choice was between a Columbia grad with no experience and an on-line university grad with 5 or more years of applicable experience. . . If you are looking to change fields - the classroom experience will be key - but if this is to make you more marketable and excel within your own field, I don't think it is as important.

I have been looking at a few on-line universitys to finish my masters. (My schedule will not allow for classroom time). I have found that most, require some classroom time - once a month/two months. NYU has a summer program - and I believe a weekend only program for a Masters. Fordham, Walden and Johns Hopkins - are the ones I have narrowed it down to.

I can tell you - for all the on-line programs I have looked at - they require much more time than you would think. I took a few classes (that I hope will transfer!!) - and they required a lot of Essay and conference/phone lectures.

Excellent points Karin!

[bumper]

What I'm wondering more though is if any of you know how employers look at online universities? As a whole do they tend to dismiss applicants who got their MBA online or is it just kind of hit and miss depending on the individual employer? Anyone have any experience with this?

I would assume it depends on the location you are in... if you want to stay urban & subsequently a highly competative market, then best of luck... Off the top of my head, I know that some of my direct administrators (managers, in an academic setting) received their advanced degrees from U of Michigan, U of Chicago, Harvard, Loyola, and Columbia. It's going to be hard for me to compete with those people having a degree from DePaul (and 5 years of healthcare experience.)

If (and when) I'm in upper management... if I have a choice between a Columbia grad and an online university grad... it's a no-brainer.

Pretend you grauduated from a well known university with a Masters in the field of your choice...you are in charge of hiring...10 applicants from Columbia, Harvard, UCLA, USC, Villanova blah blah and one from the University of Phoenix or DeVry.........who would you dismiss without hesitation?

I thought DeVry was one of the tops in the technology field. They have a fairly large campus in Irving Texas.

What often dilineates a good school from a so so school especially in advanced degrees is their ability/funding to conduct research..DeVry perhaps well known for technology is not well known for advanced research..A masters in science..any science will be heavily ladened with research criteria...a PhD....3x as much..Though I know little of DeVry I cannot imagine the same talent attracted to DeVry is as equally attracted to Harvard, Notre Dame or USC

DeVry does not offer a sience degrees - it's primarily focus is business, technology and management.

What you plan to do in life depends on where you go to become educated for your field. A person wanting to be a horologist wouldn't go to Harvard, Notre Dame or USC. A person wanting to be a research scientist wouldn't want to go to DeVry. A person wanting a job as an IT manager or with the ultimate goal to open up their own company specializing in IT management would go to DeVry. Just because a person dosn't attend a major university dosn't mean they got a lesser education than someone who did, depending on their chosen field. The company I work for contracts out our IT services to such a company started by such a person at a cost of 5 figures a month. This guy runs his company out of his home (tax deduction there) and employees 2 other IT techs for the services he offers our company. So basically he pays no overhead at all - just employee salaries.

There are many trades schools that offer a better hands on experience that is really more important. Many people who go to trade schools make good money, and have excellent job opportunities when they get out of their school, depending on their trade. Trends are now for employers to pay off student loans with a 2 year employment contract on top of very good salaries. Trade schools are not cheep either. I know - my son is graduating high school at the end of this month and starts his trade school July 5th. He has goals, plans for the future and starting his own business. I have no doubt that in the future those grads from Harvard, Notre Dame and USC will be coming to him for his expertise and will be paying big bucks for it as well.

Don't discount the person because of where they went to school. Don't discount the school because it's not a major university. Where schools are concerned it all boils down to what your plans for your future are and to attend the best possible school to make that happen.

Sure it depends..but who would you want as a doctor...a Harvard grad or an American citizen who failed to meet the entry requirements stateside and went to Guatemelan med school instead

[bumper]

I would assume it depends on the location you are in... if you want to stay urban & subsequently a highly competative market, then best of luck... Off the top of my head, I know that some of my direct administrators (managers, in an academic setting) received their advanced degrees from U of Michigan, U of Chicago, Harvard, Loyola, and Columbia. It's going to be hard for me to compete with those people having a degree from DePaul (and 5 years of healthcare experience.)

If (and when) I'm in upper management... if I have a choice between a Columbia grad and an online university grad... it's a no-brainer.

Pretend you grauduated from a well known university with a Masters in the field of your choice...you are in charge of hiring...10 applicants from Columbia, Harvard, UCLA, USC, Villanova blah blah and one from the University of Phoenix or DeVry.........who would you dismiss without hesitation?

I thought DeVry was one of the tops in the technology field. They have a fairly large campus in Irving Texas.

What often dilineates a good school from a so so school especially in advanced degrees is their ability/funding to conduct research..DeVry perhaps well known for technology is not well known for advanced research..A masters in science..any science will be heavily ladened with research criteria...a PhD....3x as much..Though I know little of DeVry I cannot imagine the same talent attracted to DeVry is as equally attracted to Harvard, Notre Dame or USC

DeVry does not offer a sience degrees - it's primarily focus is business, technology and management.

What you plan to do in life depends on where you go to become educated for your field. A person wanting to be a horologist wouldn't go to Harvard, Notre Dame or USC. A person wanting to be a research scientist wouldn't want to go to DeVry. A person wanting a job as an IT manager or with the ultimate goal to open up their own company specializing in IT management would go to DeVry. Just because a person dosn't attend a major university dosn't mean they got a lesser education than someone who did, depending on their chosen field. The company I work for contracts out our IT services to such a company started by such a person at a cost of 5 figures a month. This guy runs his company out of his home (tax deduction there) and employees 2 other IT techs for the services he offers our company. So basically he pays no overhead at all - just employee salaries.

There are many trades schools that offer a better hands on experience that is really more important. Many people who go to trade schools make good money, and have excellent job opportunities when they get out of their school, depending on their trade. Trends are now for employers to pay off student loans with a 2 year employment contract on top of very good salaries. Trade schools are not cheep either. I know - my son is graduating high school at the end of this month and starts his trade school July 5th. He has goals, plans for the future and starting his own business. I have no doubt that in the future those grads from Harvard, Notre Dame and USC will be coming to him for his expertise and will be paying big bucks for it as well.

Don't discount the person because of where they went to school. Don't discount the school because it's not a major university. Where schools are concerned it all boils down to what your plans for your future are and to attend the best possible school to make that happen.

of Course I can discount the person's experience, knowledge and intellectual ability to compete at a higher institution.....That is not the same as discounting the person as a whole..but as an employer I have the right to judge their knowledge based on whatever information they provide. The first step of this process is not making the trash can.

All fine and dandy Connie..supply and demand but the original thread was about a masters in management, not a masters in IT..but safe to say I would put a grad from UCLA or USC in computer science against the best and brightest DeVry or ITT have to offer....and DeVry and ITT are not big bucks?

[ejr]

I have tried to stay away from this discussion because as a former college administrator I could go on for hours on this topic.

DeVry is a for-profit institution, and I believe University of Phoenix is as well. Many in higher education, and in the "real world" feel that this immediately colors the experience, and many automatically view such education less positively than education from a more tranditional, not-for-profit school.

[land_shark3]

When do you need to make a decision. I have placed top CEOs and COOs in top hospital positions... I can ask around if you like.

Can I get a job? I've got no experience and no education in the healthcare field. However, I'm a quick learner and basically I just need a new job. Oh yeah, and I like big paychecks.

[FinzEast]

Here's a few website to look into:

http://www.csuchico.edu/lref/guides/misc/colran.html

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/r ... _brief.php

I have found that nowadays most "Brick and Mortar" schools have online programs available too

[12vmanRick]

In all seriousness since employers only want to see a "piece of paper" what real issue is it for it to be "accredited"?

[land_shark3]

In all seriousness since employers only want to see a "piece of paper" what real issue is it for it to be "accredited"?

In the business world, probably not much.

My finace is a vet student. If she were to attend a school that was not accredited (which is very common since there are only 26 accredited vet schools in the US), she would have to take more certification courses and more board tests in order to practice medicine.

[iuparrothead]

In all seriousness since employers only want to see a "piece of paper" what real issue is it for it to be "accredited"?

The actual quality of education you are paying for.

[12vmanRick]

In all seriousness since employers only want to see a "piece of paper" what real issue is it for it to be "accredited"?

The actual quality of education you are paying for.

Ann, let me restate the question. Since employers only care about the "piece of paper" why should I care further? I will get the same money as someone else with an "accredited" piece of paper.

[PHBeerman]

In all seriousness since employers only want to see a "piece of paper" what real issue is it for it to be "accredited"?

The actual quality of education you are paying for.

Ann, let me restate the question. Since employers only care about the "piece of paper" why should I care further? I will get the same money as someone else with an "accredited" piece of paper.

You won't. A friend of mine got an ITT degree at the same time I got my bachelors. He is framing houses, I got employment in the field I wanted to get into.

[12vmanRick]

In all seriousness since employers only want to see a "piece of paper" what real issue is it for it to be "accredited"?

The actual quality of education you are paying for.

Ann, let me restate the question. Since employers only care about the "piece of paper" why should I care further? I will get the same money as someone else with an "accredited" piece of paper.

You won't. A friend of mine got an ITT degree at the same time I got my bachelors. He is framing houses, I got employment in the field I wanted to get into.

Troy are you stating that his ITT degree meant jack and yours helped you or am I more confused than normal ?