Has anyone used an online degree (BBA from AMU in my case) to snag an entry level federal job?

2016-08-29T10:00:05-04:00

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Aug 29 at 2016 10:02 AM

2016-08-29T10:02:46-04:00

Not the degree but how you fill out your app.

Response by SGT David T. made Aug 29 at 2016 10:09 AM

2016-08-29T10:09:09-04:00

Not an entry level, but it did help me obtain a promotion. I did my Masters at AMU. If you are looking at government jobs, they count AMU. As long as the school is accredited, the government could care less where you went.

Response by SFC George Smith made Aug 29 at 2016 10:19 AM

2016-08-29T10:19:10-04:00

I've heard Many folks using many of the Online Programs to Boost their Associates to Bachelors Degrees to Help get thru the Doors...

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2016 10:49 AM

2016-08-29T10:49:32-04:00

I am doing my Bachelor's and subsequent Master's through AMU in Space Studies. NASA is excited that I am interested in joining their team. So, if NASA is cool with a degree from AMU, I am sure that an entry-level government job would accept it as well. However, shoot for a mid-level position. Do not sell yourself short Marine!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2016 6:00 PM

2016-08-29T18:00:38-04:00

In most well compensated fields these days you need a tripod: Experience, Degree and Certification. If you have the right experience and the right certifications, the fact that a degree was obtained online (as long as it's from an accredited university) isn't going to hurt you.

I have seen someone with a Masters degree who was hired as a GS-13 and then asked to obtain a CISSP certification, let go when they failed to obtain one within six months. Getting your foot in the door with a degree can be a double edged sword if you don't have the technical knowledge to work at the level needed.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2016 12:07 AM

2016-08-30T00:07:43-04:00

A degree is worthless many jobs only care for certifications. However many jobs do require a degree which is crazy bachelors will at least get you a entry level job. good luck though

Response by Cpl John Mathews made Sep 3 at 2016 7:30 AM

2016-09-03T07:30:33-04:00

So this might be a bit if an unpopular response. A degree is necessary to meet the minimum qualifications for many jobs in the USG, but it can't be just any degree from any school. I tend to question the quality of some of the for-profit schools until I see a writing sample (actually that is true for all schools, but the for profits seem to produce graduates that have more difficulty writing). Online courses/degrees are fine as long as it is from a rigorous program. I received an online certificate of advanced study in cyber-security from Stanford and nobody expressed any concern about the quality of the program. Arizona State seems to have some decent online programs. Unless it is a technical field, the major may not matter much. However you aren't going to get a job as an economst at Treasury without some finance/economics courses on your transcript. With a MA in international relations I had no problem getting a job as an international trade specialist. And yes, what I studied was directly relevant to my daily work.

I work on policy issues and am constantly writing. When I see an application that meets or exceeds the basic requirements, and HR has placed the application on the "cert list," my next question is can this person communicate orally and in writing. If not, there is no chance I will recommend hiring no matter how short-handed we are.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2017 11:29 AM

2017-01-21T11:29:09-05:00

I work for a state regulatory agency and we constantly have to evaluate and verify educational transcripts. So long as your degree is from an accredited college, it is legitimate. AMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is a regionally accredited university (good thing!!)