Online Education. A lot of military folks get online degrees. What are the good and bad experiences you've had with online classes?

I liked the flexibility of the on-line degree programs. I worked on my degree from 2002-2005. In that time I was in a Recruiting Battalion, in Iraq, and working on the Division Staff. There was no way I could fit in a classroom style program with fixed meeting hours. My schedule on any given day was unpredictable. I would have ended up dropping out of the program. The only problem I had was taking a math class and it was difficult to understand what I wasn't doing right in the class through emails and phone conversations. It was the only class in the degree that I struggled with. Granted on-line classes require the discipline to sit down and get the work done. The incentive for me was I was paying for a portion of the degree even using Tuition Assistance and the VA's Top Off program (associated with the Montgomery GI Bill). There were nights I was up until 11:30 pm working on homework even though I had to be up at 5:00 am to make it to work for PT. I do prefer the on-line classes to the classroom instruction.

I completed 5 degrees online including an MBA; from both tradional schools and purely online schools. Like everyone else the best thing for me was the ability to take classes while I was moblie field, NCOES school, deployment etc. I have a wife and 4 kids and sitting in a class room was just not feasible. The drawback was the lack on interaction with my teachers the majority of my classes I had little to no communication with my teachers.

I earned my BS in a traditional university, but I have taken many continuing education classes on-line and several classes that were intended to be for degree programs. I am currently taking a course through the University of North Dakota because they are they only university that offers a very specific online course that relates directly to my job. Several years ago, it would have been impossible to attend a course like this because traveling to North Dakota would not have been practical. I don't know if I have learned more or learned better with on-line courses, but I have been able to fill in gaps in my core knowledge base through on-line courses. For instance, as a criminal investigator, I never had to learn much medical terminology. I found that I needed to understand much more in order to do my job well, so I took an online course in medical terminology. It has been very helpful and something that was just not feasible to take as a traditional class while working full time.

The pros far out way the cons. If it weren't for online degrees I would not have been able to get my advanced degree, which opened up many job opportunities and higher salaries after I retired from the service. I received mine from the University of Maryland University College.

Pros:
(1) I was able to complete my course assignments on my time. Actually started my first class while deployed to South Korea on a month long exercise.
(2) Had the same syllabus, books and schedule as the in-class option.
(3) Within a month of getting my MS diploma, I received a $20,000 raise.
(4) Most of the contract jobs that I had after I retired, required an advanced degree. Without it, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Cons:
(1) I was up until midnight completing my assignments most nights.
(2) Group projects were frustrating. If you wanted an "A", you did all the work yourself. The favorite excuse for a group member for not turning in their portion of the group project was that a family member had died. Usually, just before the assignment was due. This was used by at least one group member in over half my courses. Also, there were those group members who would just comment on other group members work and feel their job was done. Basically, professors did not hold these people accountable. I totally despised group projects.
(3) Online courses have a tendency of being harder than in-class since everything is self-study with very little assistance from a professor. This can be trying in some of the finance and statistics courses.

As a graduate of an online program, I would first say be there to help us. Office hours that are convenient or email addresses that go directly to you. You are my instructor not the academic relations office or Registrar.
Second, work on being regionally accredited. When I tried to pursue a graduate degree, I had much difficulty in getting the university where I worked at accepting my coursework because it was not regionally accredited. It cost me a lot of energy to track the difference between nationally and regionally credentials.
Last, make the assignments relevant to the course and explain why you want this assignment completed.

I completed both my B.S and MBA online and will complete my doctorate online as well. It's what works for me. I would much rather come home after a long day at work and do my assignments at home in my sweats than go sit in a classroom. The only set back for me was never actually having met any of my classmates. Employers don't discriminate and I have a great civilian job. I got accepted to OCS with my online degree as well so no complaints other than what I mentioned.

One major concern you may have is to ensure the school is accredited. If not you are getting nowhere.

I thought they were quite easy.

Mine for the most part were all good. I chose my colleges carefully (Grad and Undergrad). I did a lot of research about the college, their reputation, the instructors, what was their reputation vs. what they said. Bottom line, you're in charge. Do your research.

Thank you for all the wonderful responses.