Are online universities helping our soldiers or just bilking resources? How often are people with these degrees turned down for jobs?

2017-03-09T16:17:19-05:00

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2017 4:20 PM

2017-03-09T16:20:38-05:00

I would recommend you spend your time at a real University, many of them offer online programs.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Mar 9 at 2017 4:20 PM

2017-03-09T16:20:49-05:00

Depends on the accreditation of the school. If the school does not meet the standards of a regional accrediting agency, we won't look twice at the resume.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2017 4:29 PM

2017-03-09T16:29:42-05:00

MSG Mark Million I would check the accreditation of the school. I completed one online course from a university and prefer face to face interaction in a classroom setting.

http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/

Accredited Online Colleges & Online Schools

Explore all the accredited online schools, colleges and universities in the US. Use advanced search features to quickly find the best one for you.

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 9 at 2017 5:47 PM

2017-03-09T17:47:30-05:00

It Depends on the schools some are better than others and some are Rated Really well and others are cheap Rip offs...

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Mar 9 at 2017 7:20 PM

2017-03-09T19:20:59-05:00

Gotta do homework before you start schoolwork.

The likes of, grantham, university of Phoenix, devry, etc etc. Stay far away from. They are useless and won't transfer to a regionally accredited school. I can also imagine the laugh anyone would get listing them on a resume.

Look at sports universities. They have great online programs and many offer the degrees that are typically sought out by service members, business admin, MBA, MPA, education, etc.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 9 at 2017 7:49 PM

2017-03-09T19:49:52-05:00

I think they fall into both categories MSG Mark Million, so you need to ensure you pick the right one, and one that is well rated and accredited.
http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/online-schools/military-friendly

2017 Top Military-Friendly Online Colleges

These 68 online colleges meet SR Education Group's 2017 criteria for military-friendly online schools. These accredited schools provide strong military communities and support networks for their online students as well as exceptional financial assistance and flexibility. Each of these schools offers 10 or more online degree programs across the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree level. In addition to our comprehensive list, we also...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2017 8:33 PM

2017-03-09T20:33:10-05:00

Like most so far have suggested, checking the accreditation and going with an established school are the keys. I have an MBA from Troy University that I took 100% online. Great experience. I had been widely accepted as the equal to any on campus MBA I have encountered.

Response by SFC Giovanni Bennett made Mar 10 at 2017 2:04 AM

2017-03-10T02:04:56-05:00

Thanks for the post. It had allowed others to share insight on this subject.

Response by SPC Hannah Maxwell made Mar 10 at 2017 9:52 AM

2017-03-10T09:52:33-05:00

A huge reason why a lot of those degrees get turned down is because it is from a nationally unaccredited college. Soldiers need to ensure they are getting their degree from an accredited school! I have friends who recently got out with an online degree and none of them have had issues finding employment.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2017 12:23 PM

2017-03-10T12:23:16-05:00

Hi, MSG Million.

As a matter of disclosure, I should note that I received my MBA from Columbia Southern University, an accredited 100% online university.

Now, I have never seen anyone turned down for a job because of their online education. In fact, I don't recall it ever coming up. If the hiring agency insisted its applicants needed a degree and those applicants had one from an accredited school, that was as in depth as the hiring agency investigated.

Having said that, I still feel brick and mortar universities are better learning environments. There is only so much a student can do on the Internet, especially at the undergraduate level.

Response by CPT Jenn Dory made Mar 10 at 2017 1:21 PM

2017-03-10T13:21:29-05:00

I don't think that the source of your degree is as important as how you present the information in a job interview. In my experience as a hiring manager, having a Bachelor's degree was often the "ticket to the dance", while the source/subject was, more often than not, irrelevant. Same goes for Master's degrees. I have a brick and mortar undergrad, and an online Master's, and haven't suffered any ill will or preference.

Hope that helps!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2017 8:18 PM

2017-03-10T20:18:48-05:00

The Military Times posts regularly a survey of traditional 2&4yr colleges plus Online colleges. They are rated based on accreditation, services offered for SMs and Job Rate % after graduating. So there are options to do a degree 100% online and be successful.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Mar 10 at 2017 8:34 PM

2017-03-10T20:34:48-05:00

I'm on the local school board and we are having problems with courses from unaccredited or quasi accredited institutions being taken by our teachers. We not only pay the teacher's tuition for these courses, but they then advance in the pay matrix according to the number of credits they accumulate. As others have said, check the accreditation, but also check out the organization they claim accreditation from. Some of the pay and play "colleges/universities" form their own accrediting organization that means nothing to legitimate institutions. While what was said earlier that the Bachelor Degree is the primary interest of most employers, I would hope you would also want a legitimate education. My recommendation is going to a brick and mortar institution to check out their programs and ask the counselors about the other available institutions in which you might become interested. If they fall off their chair laughing when you mention the name, it might be an indicator.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2017 4:14 PM

2017-03-11T16:14:17-05:00

MSG Mark Million - Also check who accepts transfer units from your school. If you cannot transfer your units to a legitimate school you are stuck finishing coursework with the unaccredited or poorly accredited school where you started - or abandon your units and start all over again. This is a particular problem with private for profit schools whether they offer online or classroom courses. They don't seek legitimate accreditation because without it students are locked into finishing at their school. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

Response by Lori Boyle made Mar 12 at 2017 1:31 PM

2017-03-12T13:31:36-04:00

Norwich University, a military school, in Northfield, Vermont has a great track record with successful soldier graduates. I plan on pursuing my MBA with them next year. Website: http://www.norwich.edu They give credit for work experience and have online programs. Best of luck!

Norwich University

Expect Challenge. Achieve Distinction.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2017 10:02 PM

2017-03-12T22:02:16-04:00

My uncle works for Lockheed Martin and I once asked what degree would make me more marketable to this particular industry (I am also in Aviation) he said "anything except Univeristy of Phoenix" or "any other all online college". He then continued on to state that they know there is no way you can have experience with these types of schools.

Response by SGT David T. made Mar 13 at 2017 9:27 AM

2017-03-13T09:27:01-04:00

Both. Of course you need to do your homework and make sure they are accredited. I did my undergrad at a traditional state school and my grad school through AMU. My employer counts my masters just like a traditional school.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 1:21 PM

2017-03-16T13:21:23-04:00

As everyone's hit the nail on the head with accreditation, I'll mention two other things to look for.

1) The school's marketing to you. If they emphasize credit for things you've done, how quick you can get the degree, or how easy it is, be very wary- these are signs of diploma mill or similar institutions. While you absolutely should try for some experience-based credit, a true university that's trying to educate you won't make fast/easy the emphasis. Look for quality of education - it's supposed to be a challenge - and future employers will look more kindly on that than an Associates Degree in "I Used to Be in the Military" from some for-profit fly by night school.

2) Take a second and think how the school AND MAJOR will look on a job application. Is your major relevant to what you want to do? Does the school have a positive/negative reputation that will color the degree in a recruiter's mind? Someone else pointed out you only have so many months of GI Bill benefits (plus you never get back that time from your life)- would going after a "fast" degree be worth it if your major isn't relevant to your intended career field, forcing you to go back and do it again?

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Mar 19 at 2017 1:24 PM

2017-03-19T13:24:15-04:00

I think that, as with all things, there are good and bad online universities. Your task before enrolling is to do your homework and weed the good out from the bad. As others have mentioned, you need to look closely at accreditation and I would add to that their status as non-profit vs. for-profit status. Personally I'd steer clear of any for-profit programs. There are so many online programs from fully accredited brick and mortar colleges and universities that all you need to do is find the ones that offer the degree you are looking to get. Probably a generalization, but if their web site is a .edu you are pretty safe, but if their web site is a .com, stay away.

Response by 1SG Pete Marcell made Mar 20 at 2017 10:06 AM

2017-03-20T10:06:34-04:00

Simply find a real, public university that offers online programs. A few that come to mind are Arizona State, Colorado State, Penn State. All three are excellent universities and pioneers in online learning.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2017 9:55 AM

2017-03-22T09:55:43-04:00

Why would anyone attend a school with the intent of transferring to another school? Even a regional to a regional transfer has a high probability that you are going to have to retake courses because their degree plans do not match. Do your research, choose the school that will help you attain your ultimate goal and stick with it. Every school has an MBA and they are all looked at the same when it comes to employers so why choose a school that cost your 4 times as much?

Also, finding out what the school specializes in helps. Columbia Southern University for example is held in the highest regards when it comes to the Fire Science and OSHA communities.

Response by PO3 John Aldrich made Apr 14 at 2017 5:03 PM

2017-04-14T17:03:41-04:00

HI Mark--This has been debated for years, but considering that 83% of service members are taking their classes online, it is hard to argue that this isn’t their preferred method of learning. When considering going to school, learning, not the method of delivery, should always be the main concern for students. Many students assume that online learning means that students don’t have to be engaged in a course like a brick and mortar. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Quality online programs demand a high level of engagement, interaction and participation. In the end, check for accreditation. If the school is regionally accredited, you should be GTG.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2017 2:03 PM

2017-04-20T14:03:39-04:00

My degrees are all from online universities and I landed a great job upon retirement. If the university is accredited, has to be for TA and/or GI Bill, then they are not being 'bilked'. Hope this helps....

Response by MCPO Brian Legg made Apr 20 at 2017 5:59 PM

2017-04-20T17:59:47-04:00

This question requires a bit of parsing.
First of all, many job postings are job type specific, therefore the degree and experience should be in the field you are applying for. For instance, if you wanted to move into the medical field as an administrator, it would be helpful to have both experience in the medical field and a recognized/accredited degree in the specified area listed on the job posting. Many times I see people go and get a degree, but do not have the required experience to fulfill the job roll. Likewise, they may have a ton of experience, but not the right type of degree.
Secondly, from my experience on this side of wearing the uniform, most employers do not really care where you went to school, they just want to be able to check the box with HR. What they really want is the experience, innovation, and dedication that comes through a successful military career.

My two cents is that the degree gets you to the interview. It is up to you from there. So it would be better to go and get the degree than to not. Online is a good option. It worked for me and it certainly would work for others.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 4:48 PM

2017-09-26T16:48:18-04:00

I have two online degrees from brick and mortar schools. The online format allows maximum flexibility when you're trying to juggle school along with family, military duty, and other employment (for my fellow Reservists out there). I'll tell you that you get what you put into an online program - half-assing is easy in a digital classroom, but graduating with honors and a strong professional network on the back of an online degree is not. Additionally, it is what you sell it as. I landed a role in investment banking because, frankly, the fact that my degree was online never came up. I'm not putting the words "worldwide" or "online" on my resume, and you shouldn't either. Do the program that fits your life, make the most of it, and put that education to work in the real world!

Response by Sharon Lee made Oct 20 at 2017 4:52 AM

2017-10-20T04:52:01-04:00

Park University is a great on-line school. I completed my Associates, Bachelor's and currently in my last 3 classes of my Master's Degree, and all were done on-line. For the Masters, I attend Northcentral University; still a good experience.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2020 12:01 AM

2020-07-26T00:01:51-04:00

From a personal perspective, my online degree (BA), from a University with resident + online programs, directly led to a 6-figure job when combined with my military experience.

When you say “degree-mill”, you must be referring to “universities” that you just have to pay to get a degree and do no work for.

MOST online universities still require you to put in the work and actually LEARN.