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So I think I've decided that I'm gonna go ahead and get my Masters in Healthcare Management but I dread the thought of sitting in a classroom ever again. I know there are alot of places that you can get a degree entirely online and finding them hasn't been a problem. I sent away for information from 8 of them already this morning.
My question is, has anyone done this? How did it go? Do the online universities get the same respect on a resume that other universities do? Is the cost the same as actually going to school? Anything I need to be warned about?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

nycparrothead wrote:So I think I've decided that I'm gonna go ahead and get my Masters in Healthcare Management but I dread the thought of sitting in a classroom ever again. I know there are alot of places that you can get a degree entirely online and finding them hasn't been a problem. I sent away for information from 8 of them already this morning.
My question is, has anyone done this? How did it go? Do the online universities get the same respect on a resume that other universities do? Is the cost the same as actually going to school? Anything I need to be warned about?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Some things to be careful of (I've looked into this myself)

1) Many of these online Universities are NOT accredited! They'll make them sound all great, but if you tried to transfer those credits to a real University, you'd be S.O.L. That's very important, especially in determining whether you'd get any respect for getting a degree from there.

2) Yes, they are more expensive. Anyfrom from 1.5 to 2 times the price of attending a University on campus.

Perhaps you should look at real Universities that have Open Campus (degrees online). I know UF has a couple degrees online, I'm sure other schools around the country do as well.

Online University AND BN? I'm not sure those go well together.

land_shark3 wrote:Online University AND BN? I'm not sure those go well together.

I've already developed the mental picture. 4 windows open (Buffettnews, ************, fantasy baseball stattracker....oh yeah, and the online Univ. window), ballgame on the tv, radio cranked and a cold beer in hand! Ahhhhh the beauty of education!

ParrotheadGator wrote:2) Yes, they are more expensive. Anyfrom from 1.5 to 2 times the price of attending a University on campus.

Perhaps you should look at real Universities that have Open Campus (degrees online). I know UF has a couple degrees online, I'm sure other schools around the country do as well.

Damn! I thought if anything they'd be CHEAPER than a real school!
I'm trying to look at real schools too but that's proving to be a bit tougher.. I've found a couple though and I'll keep looking. Thanks for the advice dude!

nycparrothead wrote: Anything I need to be warned about?

The quality of education. You cannot undervalue classroom experiences and interactions... especially if you want to be in healthcare management. Having the same M.S. after your name is not the same as having the skills to deal with the rigors of upper management (in any field, really) that you would receive from applied knowledge teaching/learning in the classroom. I'd highly suggest finding a program that has lots of online class options so that you may only need to be in a campus building every other quarter or so for class.

iuparrothead wrote:

nycparrothead wrote: Anything I need to be warned about?

The quality of education. You cannot undervalue classroom experiences and interactions... especially if you want to be in healthcare management. Having the same M.S. after your name is not the same as having the skills to deal with the rigors of upper management (in any field, really) that you would receive from applied knowledge teaching/learning in the classroom. I'd highly suggest finding a program that has lots of online class options so that you may only need to be in a campus building every other quarter or so for class.

Hmmm... See I've never been much for book learnin' though... I pretty much just study to past tests and don't retain much anyway. I'm really a learn by doing kinda guy. I see your point and I'm sure it's valid, but I think as long as I could get the degree and a good job I could muddle my way through and learn the ropes and be fine... I think...

nycparrothead wrote:Hmmm... See I've never been much for book learnin' though... I pretty much just study to past tests and don't retain much anyway. I'm really a learn by doing kinda guy. I see your point and I'm sure it's valid, but I think as long as I could get the degree and a good job I could muddle my way through and learn the ropes and be fine... I think...

In that case, you might be better off in the class room experience.

I know a significant portion of MBA programs is to compare and contrast the students' background in business (successes, failures, etc.). Everyone learns from everyone else. There are also group excercises, competitions, pratical theory sessions which would be very difficult to have when all the students are at remote locations.

As much as you hate the sound of it, the class option might be the best for you. My view of on-line degrees is that it is for people who are able to get everything they need from book material. Class rooms are for those who get more out of the interaction.

land_shark3 wrote:As much as you hate the sound of it, the class option might be the best for you. My view of on-line degrees is that it is for people who are able to get everything they need from book material. Class rooms are for those who get more out of the interaction.

Good point.. That sure backfired on me didn't it... Well I still think I'm gonna give the Online thing a go. I REALLY REALLY do not want to go back to school! I'd pretty much rather stick with just a bachelors than go through school... I know, I'm lazy.. I've accepted it.. You should too.

iuparrothead wrote:

nycparrothead wrote: Anything I need to be warned about?

The quality of education. You cannot undervalue classroom experiences and interactions... especially if you want to be in healthcare management. Having the same M.S. after your name is not the same as having the skills to deal with the rigors of upper management (in any field, really) that you would receive from applied knowledge teaching/learning in the classroom. I'd highly suggest finding a program that has lots of online class options so that you may only need to be in a campus building every other quarter or so for class.

I agree with Ann here. I got my Comp Sci degree with a combination of in class and online. I think the in class time was very important to the whole experience. I think it would be even more important in a management field.

7lords wrote:I agree with Ann here. I got my Comp Sci degree with a combination of in class and online. I think the in class time was very important to the whole experience. I think it would be even more important in a management field.

How did I know that YOU would agree with Ann?

Be weary of a university without walls

bumper wrote:Be weary of a university without walls

Yup.

Much better off finding a real University that offers distant learning or online degrees. Typically they offer more graduate programs

I think that online classwork for an advanced degree is a great idea if you do your research and get a degree from a reputable institution. While everyone can probably agree that you have some serious issues, I don't think that one of them is the inability to interact with others. I worked my ass off on my undergrad so that I would graduate with honors, but nobody ever asked about my GPA. Just avoid the University of Phoenix type schools.

PHBeerman wrote: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?

nycparrothead wrote:

PHBeerman wrote: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.

PHBeerman wrote:

nycparrothead wrote:

PHBeerman wrote: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.

Oh! Didn't realize that.. I just figured it was the ugly bastard stepchild of Arizona State or something... Thanks for the heads up dude!

nycparrothead wrote:

PHBeerman wrote:

nycparrothead wrote:

PHBeerman wrote: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.

Oh! Didn't realize that.. I just figured it was the ugly bastard stepchild of Arizona State or something... Thanks for the heads up dude!

No problem. Look for a school that has a good reputation.

nycparrothead wrote:

iuparrothead wrote:

nycparrothead wrote: Anything I need to be warned about?

The quality of education. You cannot undervalue classroom experiences and interactions... especially if you want to be in healthcare management. Having the same M.S. after your name is not the same as having the skills to deal with the rigors of upper management (in any field, really) that you would receive from applied knowledge teaching/learning in the classroom. I'd highly suggest finding a program that has lots of online class options so that you may only need to be in a campus building every other quarter or so for class.

Hmmm... See I've never been much for book learnin' though... I pretty much just study to past tests and don't retain much anyway. I'm really a learn by doing kinda guy. I see your point and I'm sure it's valid, but I think as long as I could get the degree and a good job I could muddle my way through and learn the ropes and be fine... I think...

Quality graduate programs aren't designed around "textbook learning" though. (ESPECIALLY any quality management graduate programs) They should be active participation and applied learning programs... in a classroom setting. For instance, my program requires me to incorporate much of my daily work experiences into my problem solving, policy designing and quality assessment projects. I'm not suggesting my graduate program is perfect, but the applied learning is the best thing about it and is what I value most. (plus, we have a good number of online courses too

nycparrothead wrote:

7lords wrote:I agree with Ann here. I got my Comp Sci degree with a combination of in class and online. I think the in class time was very important to the whole experience. I think it would be even more important in a management field.

How did I know that YOU would agree with Ann?

Wade <3s me!