What are the best online degree programs for the military?

2015-03-15T16:40:44-04:00

I earned a degree online through North Georgia University (formerly NGCSU). It wasn't a joke; it took a ton of commitment and a lot of time, but it was an awesome experience and I walked away with a lot more than just a piece of paper (Plus, they price right around TA-levels, so best value I've found).

I've talked to some Soldiers, NCOs and Officers who've gone through online programs and complained: professors weren't engaged, their classmates came across as idiots, or that the classes just weren't challenging (if you got through it, you'd have a degree but it was about the piece of paper).

What's your experience?
What are the best online programs you've found or heard about?
The ones you'd personally stay away from?

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jan 29 at 2015 2:24 PM

2015-01-29T14:24:01-05:00

I would caution the use of online colleges as some are not accredited institutions meaning later on if you pursue higher education these credits may or may not transfer. Here is a good reference to use in searching if your college is accredited or not http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 9:22 AM

2015-02-07T09:22:46-05:00

I received my associate's from Coastline Community College, my BA from Thomas Edison State College and my MBA from Columbia Southern University.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 11 at 2015 11:00 AM

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My daughter completed her accounting degree with Phoenix. Her employer recognized her accomplishment with a raise. It was very good for her because she was working full time and a single mom.

Response by SFC James Rigdon made Feb 14 at 2015 5:00 PM

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I completed my degree from Trident University International. I liked the school and the programs they offered

http://www.trident.edu

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 22 at 2015 8:42 PM

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Northcentral University is 100% online, regionally and nationally accredited, and VERY military friendly. But from experience, I tell you, a masters in psychology without a license is not going to make job hunting easy. You either have to get a degree in something like clinical psychology and be licensed, or consider changing to a Masters in Social Work (MSW). You won't find it online 100% but PLEASE consider it. You will never be unemployed, you will find $50K to start to be the norm, and you will have job security for decades to come.

Response by SPC Julie Teater made Feb 22 at 2015 9:26 PM

2015-02-22T21:26:52-05:00

Be careful with online degrees in psychology. Not mych you can do with undergrad degree and if younplan in grad school you need to attend in person. Dont fall for an online grad degree in in psych. Most states wont allow you to license. Btw. I am a psychologist so i do have knowledge of what i am writing

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 11:17 PM

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SFC Private RallyPoint Member Have you attended a college physically?

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 15 at 2015 4:45 PM

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I personally don't have any experience with online programs, but I've heard that places like U of Phoenix and other "For Profit" institutions should be avoided.

The best bet, imho, for on line education, is a program that is an extension of a major university. These days, almost every major school has an online program. If they are known for good education in brick and mortar, the online program should be pretty good. However, note that the requisite qualifications for online programs tend to be a little more lax in some cases than in their brick and mortar schools.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 15 at 2015 4:47 PM

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I got my Master's at American Military University which was a solid program with like minded individuals and was fairly prices for the veteran on a budget.

I have mostly been looking into MBAs recently and found ECU for my home state of North Carolina as well as the University of Maryland, which is expensive, and Norwich University which has great prices for veterans as well.

I have also looked at the overseas campus of University of Maryland to possibly obtain a second master's degree. It is a great way to get a degree when you do not have as much time or money to commit.

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Mar 15 at 2015 4:47 PM

2015-03-15T16:47:46-04:00

I would stay away from anything not regionally accredited.

Which is one reason why I don't understand the promotion of Grantham. Credits won't transfer to a traditional "state" school. Even a bachelors degree won't allow you to pursue a masters since it's not regionally accredited.

Take that into account, what would a potential employer think of it?

I'm a fan of known schools that are brick and mortar. Preferably state schools such as Alabama, FL institute of technology, Southern Cal, etc.

I will throw a recommendation for the new college life track program at Alabama. Absolutely a wonderful program that understands and realizes the struggles of an adult student, especially one in the military.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 5:02 PM

2015-03-15T17:02:32-04:00

I got my first Masters degree online through Colorado Technical University. It wasn't extremely challenging personally but I had been working in the industry for 10 years at the time. The professors were all industry experts who actually held senior positions at major tech companies. For example my database management professor was a VP at Oracle. I would highly recommend online education, but to echo some of the other comments, make sure the program is regionally accredited.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Mar 15 at 2015 5:07 PM

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My learning style does not lend well to on-line courses, which created a significant barrier to my education while serving. Even today, having finally completed my first Bachelors through Boise State University, I find a lot of trouble with online courses even as they parallel the rest of my course load.
For those that can, kudos. For those that can't, it may not be the best option for you to pursue.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 15 at 2015 5:11 PM

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I erned my AS the month I went on terminal leave for retirement. It helped by giving employers something to focus their eyes on. A resume attracts that much more attention with a degree. That being said I do think online programs can come under scrutiny. This is one of the reasons I chose an online program from an established brick and mortar school, to keep from appearing like I went through a diploma mill. I know the effort I put into the program. I wanted potential employers to have no reason to question it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 5:15 PM

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I am doing my online program for my Master's in Nursing Education at Kaplan's online program. They are priced right for TA, I pay half tuition TA covers the rest every 10 weeks and it is a tough program. I have to commit to about 40 hours so study every week and the instructors are awesome, I have found only one in the 2 years that did not work with students and reported her, I was happy with how it was handled and with the results I got. Any online program is tough and all I can say is do your research before beginning and make sure it is what you want to do. I absolutely love Kaplan and plan on doing My Doctorate degree with them if I can.

Response by MSG David Chappell made Mar 15 at 2015 5:19 PM

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I did my BA AND MA online I did an average of three research papers (15 pages 10 references with footnotes APA method) a week per class. BRUTAL but well worth it.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 5:22 PM

2015-03-15T17:22:06-04:00

(Rule #1) If something seems too good to be true it probably is. That should be the motto for online education. During my research of schools I felt as though the counselors that represent the for-profit schools come across like sales people and were very good at what they are paid to do. Enticing fees, dues, course length, free books, free electronics, etc. There are many options; when in doubt refer to rule#1.

Response by PO3 Jonathan Cooper made Mar 15 at 2015 5:26 PM

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I've been shopping schools for a Master's program, and if I'm looking at online courses/programs, they're from regionally accredited universities and state schools. Outside of that, I've seen the coursework and faculty bios for American Military U. and it's one of the few that I would feel safe recommending.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 5:27 PM

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I'm working on my BA in Homeland Security and Emergency Managment with Ashford University and have had nothing but good experiences with them thus far (2 years into the program). I would have no issue recommending them to another service member seeking higher education.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Mar 15 at 2015 5:29 PM

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Great topic CPT Private RallyPoint Member. Personally, I highly recommend the Mississippi State MBA program I took on active duty. Several of my close friends completed degrees there as well.

When evaluating any school or degree program, the most important areas I look for are:

1- Accreditation. Will this degree be accepted & respected in industry? We all know most of us will be working as civilians someday and you definitely want the time you put in to be worth it.

2- Instructors and online software tools being used. If looking to do an online degree, it's always good to know what kind of instructional software is being used and also do your own research on the professors. You can find all kinds of great information through the school website and on LinkedIn.

3- Any friends or colleagues that went through the school. I always ask admissions folks if anyone at my base may be taking courses and then I try to get in touch to ask specific questions about how enjoyable & useful the classes are.

4- Specific active or veteran discounts & support programs. I've seen a lot of great schools that closely match TA rates so you don't have to pay out of pocket. I've also seen some schools like Mississippi State who have excellent advisors to walk you through the application and TA funding requirements. Cindy Smith Was a huge help for me.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 5:30 PM

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I have heard people refer to AMU as a paper mill however l disagree. I have been going there slowly over the last 7 years and find myself 3 classes short of my Bachelors. This has been a challenging experience every step of the way. If you dont put in the effort you will fail just like at a brick and mortar school.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 15 at 2015 5:38 PM

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I completed my A/S without ever doing "college," as in no classroom time, whether online or at a college.

It consisted of 100% Service Schools, CLEP, DANTE, & Excelsior examinations. All of this was FREE. And is still free to the service member, at any base education. For the Vet/Retire, the cost per credit is "minimal" ($95~ per test which is 3-6 credits).

My goal with my A/S was to "document & formalize" what I already knew. While I was doing that, I knocked out enough credits to get me VERY close to my B/S (which I am actually completing now).

When deciding on a school, you have to account for your actual goal. Mine was to be able to put B/S on a resume. The name of the school doesn't matter because I have a Liberal Arts degree with an Administrative Management focus. If I was trying to get an Engineering, or a "hard sciences" degree, I would care.

My wife went through the University of Phoenix online program for her A/A & B/A, which allowed her to pursue her Masters. That was her goal. The B/A was a check in the box to get to the Masters, which she went to Penn State for (online).

So, what does all that mean? Depending on what degree you want to pursue is going to change your college choices, and even whether you want to be a resident or non-resident program. There isn't one right answer. Resident programs at specific schools have great benefits, namely in networking, but that is often a younger persons game (like fraternities).

Response by 1SG David Lopez made Mar 15 at 2015 5:50 PM

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Great question CPT Sarah S. I attended NGCSU in the 98, 99, and 2000. It was an awesome school, professors enjoyed their jobs, and over all it was a positive experience. I also went to school online with Rio Hondo College in Southern California earning an associates degree in Corrections. It was not too challenging, although I had already attended the Correctional Academy. But the content was right on target, I learned more than at the academy and had the opportunity to learn to manage / supervise and analyze this subject. I also went to school online at Columbia College (of Missouri; satellite college in San Luis Obispo Cuesta College) toward a bachelors degree in Administration of Justice. Challenging yet enjoyable classes. I really liked the 8 week sessions with a two week break in between classes. I would recommend both of these online schools. But I would recommend taking all of your core classes first in class / on campus. Once you have your general education classes out of the way, that better prepares you to take the classes towards your specific major. Rio Hondo College is affordable and Columbia College is quite expensive. But your GI bill will cover the cost. I highly recommend to those needing to, use your education benefits asap, time flies by fast, you earned that benefit, use it. It is like having a second job. Good Luck and I hope this helps some one.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Mar 15 at 2015 6:02 PM

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CPT Sarah Starr, nice post and very relevant.

I found the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) to be a very good on-line college. I obtained a Master of Distance Education. I liked the 14 week semester. I had a great experience. During PCS I had two Incomplete and the school worked with me so I could complete them.

Currently I am 3 class away from a Master of Science in Administration through Central Michigan University. Another good school that transferred 15 credits (5 classes) from ILE into the graduate program. So far no complains and I am very grateful for the ILE credits which save 40 weeks of school and $7,500 in tuition.

One school I would stay away from is University of Phoenix. It is a for profit and they do not care if you graduate with 40K in student loans. Even our employer panel members at ACAP advice us to stay away. In graduate school at UMUC we evaluated tens of schools and Phoenix always came out as one to stay away from. I am certain that some students are happy with the school. I respect your decision to attend the school.

A tip for on-line students, if there are multiple on-line session for a particular class, go on line and check the website http://www.ratemyprofessors.com. Do some research on the professor and try to get a hold of all syllabus so you can select the class session you are comfortable with.

RateMyProfessors.com – Find and rate your professor or campus.

With over 1.3 million professors, 7,000 schools & 15 million ratings, Rate My Professors is the best professor ratings source based on student feedback. Find & rate your professors or school! #LeaveYourMark

Response by PO1 Derrick Miller made Mar 15 at 2015 6:09 PM

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I think a lot of it depends on the classes and the teachers. I Got my BBA from AMU and am currently working on a second degree from them as well. I was surprised at how bad some of the grammar and spelling and just general language skills at some of the posts. I only did the forum posts because they were required, but I get more learning from the books and assignments anyway.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 6:14 PM

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http://www.webster.edu/military/academics/

I had a great experience with Webster university. For Officers, they offer credits upon completion of your CCC and ILE. I received my MA in Management and Leadership with only having to take 7 classes (21 hours) due to the credits. I did one on-line and the other 6 at a satellite campus in Louisville, Ky.

I enjoyed in the in person classes more than the on-line. Great interaction and interesting classes. 8 weeks long per term, so I spread it out over a year and a half (was in a teaching assignment, so I had time) and enjoyed the class. Lots of writing, but that is to be expected at the Masters level.

I would highly recommend Webster!!

Military Academics | Webster University

Classes are offered at 39 military installations in the U.S., over 30 U.S. metropolitan campuses, numerous metropolitan locations overseas and conveniently online. Our courses meet the most stringent accreditation criteria, and satisfy the education training requirements for many military and civilian career fields.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 6:20 PM

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I can't recommend UMUC (University of Maryland University College) strongly enough. I had a fantastic experience.

Response by MSG David Chappell made Mar 15 at 2015 6:42 PM

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My final dissertation for my masters research program was 250 pages and is the foundation for my doctoral thesis

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 6:50 PM

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One of the schools I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned is Troy University. I completed a Masters through them and it was great for me. The vast majority of the classes are completed online with regular discussion boards and online lectures so that is really what you make of it, but they also have satellite campuses throughout CONUS and some OCONUS locations so if I needed/wanted I could actually go to a class after work. It was definitely worth the time and effort.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 6:50 PM

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CPT Private RallyPoint Member : Ma'am, I attended NGCSU at its brick and mortar institute for my degree and while I never used their online program it was recommended to me for my Masters by then PMS, COL Mike Pyott.

It is a military college, with a staff of professors who are either veterans themselves or very in touch with military living and seek to aide their student body.

Response by SGT James P. Davidson, MSM made Mar 15 at 2015 6:52 PM

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I fought college for 19 years after high school. My wife finally conned me in to going in 2009. I spent 4 years, 1 month and 3 days doing online classes through Colorado Technical University. I earned an ASBA, a BSN and an MS in that time. Outstanding online program. One of the top 5 military - friendly universities, and had classmates deployed all over the planet. I highly recommend their program.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 7:05 PM

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I am currently taking online classes for my MSCJ program through Northeastern University. While the classes are rather expensive, the professors that I have had truly attempt to engage each student through exercises and projects. I would definitely prefer in-class programs; however, this program, its professors and classes are challenging and creative.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 15 at 2015 7:16 PM

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My daughter got her bachelors degree in accounting from Phoenix. It was a good program.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Mar 15 at 2015 7:31 PM

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I attended American Military University (AMU) and University of Phoenix (UOP) online. Both were great programs, but different experiences. AMU was military friendly with staff and faculty who work with me as challenges arose, and the school has a reputation for doing the same across the board.
UOP is also a great school, and I had excellent teachers. They wasn't as military friendly, though. The expectation was to maintain the same schedule and timelines as everyone else regardless of military obligations. UOP was also expensive, which can be a financial burden. I understood and accepted the additional costs going in. It's an accelerated program that let allow 5-week long classes. Finishing classes in five weeks allow fast completion of a degree if you handle the costs and workload. If you handle a huge workload, you take classes one at a time and still pick up nine credits a semester. I took graduate courses. They were six weeks long and I still finished my MBA in a year. It's really a matter of what works best for the individual student. Everyone's situation is different

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 8:14 PM

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I'm currently pursuing a Master's Degree at Missouri State University Springfield. I looked at a number of different universities out there, but MSU was the only school that offered the program I wanted. Overall I've had a positive experience. Many of the classes were challenging and thought provoking. I've had few I would call easy. My average weekly workload entailed 20-70 pages of reading, a 2 page essay on the subject, and multiple discussion posts on the online forum per class. My professors have all been very engaged with one exception. My capstone course was so challenging I ended up withdrawing and will be retaking it in the fall.

I'm also a little leery of schools that are nationally accredited v. regionally accredited. While I'm sure there are plenty that are good, there's also the "University of Phoenix" stigma to contend with. I've had friends and peers attend some national accredited universities and transfer to a traditional school due to many of the reasons already mentioned. The bottom line is that you need to do your research before you enroll anywhere.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Mar 15 at 2015 8:17 PM

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I personally looked for a reputable brick-and-mortar school that had a strong online presence. In Sept of 2014, I completed a MS in Psych from Grand Canyon University, and it was overall a very worthwhile experience.

Former students of mine who attend GCU "on the ground" report that they also love it.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 15 at 2015 9:14 PM

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I'm not sure if Benedictine University is still offering this incredible deal but I did get my MBA there with 25% off just for having a DD-214. Benedictine is a very military friendly university as well as first responders. You can't beat a free college degree. As far as the online approach I have taken a couple of online classes but I prefer a face face environment of the classroom. You need to be very disciplined with online classes as they often have very time consuming assignments that one can very quickly get behind with the work load and reading required. I also found the test to be harder due to the lack of interaction with the instructor makes it impossible to know what they are looking for you to know. So you need to know all subject mater that was covered.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2008/05/09/benedictine-university-offers-free-education-to-military-veterans/

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 9:38 PM

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For the most part the online stuff I've taken has been far more challenging then any of the classes I've taken in person at an Army education center - which seems to cater to brain dead morons judging by the average student in some of the classes. Somehow miraculously, they all seem to pass though...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 9:45 PM

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I had a great experience with Grantham University. I completed a Bachelors degree with them online. I used the Tuition Assistance (TA) which paid for the entire degree. The books needed for the courses are provided from the school with a military grant. I also had a great experience with the student advisors! They respond to any questions/ concerns that you may have within 24 hours. I received a lot of credit hours from my service in the military towards the degree as well. I've had six or seven of my Soldiers enroll there and would recommend it to anyone. Use the benefits we have while they're still available!!!!

Response by Sheryl Verhulst made Mar 15 at 2015 9:56 PM

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I am currently enrolled in a community college that is in Nebraska, earning another degree in Business Management. So far my experience is positive. It's very challenging but the professors are quick to answer questions. (MCC Neb). Also, their tuition rates are much cheaper, even though I am out of state student, when I compare it to the in state tuition I would have to pay as a resident of Florida for a community college. As already mentioned, "for profit" colleges should be avoided. They are generally more expensive, plus no one takes degrees from them seriously. Additionally there are many lawsuits that the government has filed against them.

Response by SPC Daniel Edwards made Mar 15 at 2015 10:14 PM

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I am currently trying to finish up my bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensics being done through American Intercontinental University. Mostly it is just so that I can say I got a degree in SOMETHING. It is a four year degree compressed into 2 years. That aspect of it is not so bad. The problem I am having is with the teachers. They have no set standards; they pretty much run their classes how they want to. One teacher wants me to do the layout one way while another wants it another. One teacher will be meticulous and will look over every square inch of the paper, pointing out every flaw possible while another teacher will just make sure you turn it in on time and isn't copying someone. Then there are the discussion boards. Since my classes are all online, we do weekly discussion board posts and reply to two others. I am not a creative person so I don't spend my free time reading a person's *&^%$!@#$ speech. "Good job" is good enough for me. But some of these teachers want me to do a full one critique on the discussion board post.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 15 at 2015 10:26 PM

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I did TUI that later became Trident International University for my graduate education and was not impressed. I felt they were more interested in dollars than education and the students. One caveat in their defense, my undergrad is nursing which is one of the most intense majors and that is all I had for comparison. I feel as we address this question, which I think is excellent for this site, we need to keep our previous education in mind and what our expectations might be starting an online program.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Mar 15 at 2015 10:30 PM

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CPT Private RallyPoint Member I wasn't sure about the online colleges at first. I was close to enrolling with the University of Oregon; if not Portland State University had I moved up to Portland metropolitan area at the time. My job schedule then kept me from attending one of those two college choices and I looked into online just to see if it would be a viable option for me. I took one class with Columbia Southern University just to try it out at first and eventually ended up completing my Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. It was challenging at times with my schedule and also keeping up with my grades and GPA. Some of the classes were a hard fought battle in their own right i.e. Business Law, Principles of Accounting, Information Systems Management and Business Policy and Strategy. I spent some long nights pounding the books and writing term papers each semester. I'm glad it worked out for me and would recommend everyone to try one after they do their research on programs and accreditation. I experienced great class discussion and interaction on topics for all my business curriculum. The professors were very supportive too with all questions/discussions.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 11:18 PM

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i received my degree through embry-riddle worldwide. Just because a degree program is online or a mix of online and in-house, doesn't make it any less challenging. Military personnel earned credits that college kids will never experience.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 11:41 PM

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I know of POST UNIVERSITY in CT. They do well with recruiting NCO's

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 11:47 PM

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American Military University - MBA

Researched many other online programs, this one seemed the best since it targets military and government employees. Won't talk negatively against other programs since I don't have personal experience with them. Very easy to use GI Bill benefits, easy to get a hold of administration.

Generally, the students that were in my classes were military, former military or government employees with an occasional civilian thrown in. As with anything, you get out of it what you put in. The professors gave the students their work/home phone numbers and of course email. I had little to no trouble getting a hold of professors on the phone with questions. They were very adaptable to my schedule and would allow me to turn in work early or late if I had arranged it with them....those reasons could be military commitments or personal/family issues. If I wanted more schooling, and if AMU offers it, I would go with them again.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Mar 16 at 2015 12:13 AM

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Ma'am, I earned one of my MAs through an online program at American Military University. My experience was nothing but positive. The class work was challenging; some particularly so (constitutional law and my ethics classes). The professors were all working professionals who were currently or had been practitioners in their respective fields. They included lawyers, subject matter experts at DOD, and local/state law enforcement. My classmates were all mid career professionals with as expected a heavy dose of military experience; all of whom were thoughtful contributors to the process.

Nothing but good things to say about the program at AMU.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 16 at 2015 12:41 AM

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I started the Norwich online MA in Diplomacy. Finished 1/6 th of it when I had to PCS to a fully funded resident MBA (ACS). They became difficult when I had to withdraw as I was not continuing with them. Distance is not my thing but I worked hard. Would recommend them if you see it all the way through. They are a prestigious brick and mortar but expensive. They have a one time resident piece two weeks in the summer prior to graduation.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 1:53 AM

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I took several online courses from Kansas State to meet pre-reqs for the MA I did at Georgetown. Good program, right at TA, and good profs.

I've also looked at NDU's online programs:

http://icollege.ndu.edu/Portals/74/Documents/NDUiCollege2015CatalogWeb.pdf

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 2:49 AM

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I received my Masters through Kaplan University online. They have a military counselor that processed my TA and was very helpful in degree selection. They have a set course list for each degree so you now from the start what you need and you choose how many classes to take at a time. I was able to complete the degree in 18 months, taking 3 months off in the middle due to a field exercise with no internet. I was very surprised with the willingness of the instructors to work with my schedule and respond to questions.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 4:01 AM

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I'm probably going to separate from the military soon but I am looking to get the college rust off before I head to a brick and mortar school.

Not seeking a degree from an online school, but I do want to take TRANSFERRABLE credits. Does anyone have experience with taking classes to fulfill prerequisites?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 6:18 AM

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I'm all for online education for the right people. I'm not the right person. I need the structure of a classroom

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 8:09 AM

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Interested in taking online classes? Want to see if your college makes the cut? Wish I would have had this information when I was shopping around for degrees. The U.S. News and World Report covers Colleges, Grad Schools, High Schools, Online Programs, Community Colleges and Global Universities. Check out them out at: http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education.

Response by SrA Donna Patrick made Mar 16 at 2015 8:31 AM

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I'm on my 2nd master's program from Liberty University. (Marketplace Chaplaincy and Human Services Counseling) They have both online and on campus. (Lynchburg, VA) I highly recommend them. They are veteran friendly and extremely knowledgeable about vet benefits. The student advisers call to check in. The teachers have always responded to my emails and some give their personal phone numbers. Also their tuition is fantastic for veterans. Some of the coursework can be challenging and you have to commit to reading - a lot. You can check them out at Liberty.edu.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Mar 16 at 2015 8:44 AM

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I have two Masters degrees from University of Maryland University College. I found the instructors very engaged and with actual real-world experience - a rarity in higher education (UMUC requires that the adjunct staff it hires for its online program be practicing in the field(s) they teach).

The curriculum was challenging and fairly standard for a business school. I have issues with the value of the standard business school curriculum, because it is entirely too theoretical. But, based on my research, that REAL is the standard. It was nice that the instructors worked in the fields being discussed and could inject some "real world" into it. In fact, I found that to be one of the best features.

My fellow students ran the gamut from brilliant to "rock", the same as every other educational experience I've had. The spread was better - fewer rocks...

Quite honestly, I learned more at UMUC than I expected. I learned a LOT more than if I'd gone to a physical school. There is a (well regarded, but small) university that offers the same degrees three blocks from my house that has an evening program. However, because of inevitable scheduling conflicts, I would have ended up missing a lot of classes, or cramming them in. Being online gave me significant control of my schedule and interaction intensity.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Mar 16 at 2015 8:49 AM

2015-03-16T08:49:26-04:00

I received a degree from the University of Phoenix and my experience was similar to yours - lots of commitment and time, focused energy, but in the end, well worth the experience. The professors were definitely engaged and genuinely concerned that every student learned the material. I would recommend them - plus, they are on the tuition assistance list at all AF bases and I would assume other branches as well.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Mar 16 at 2015 8:49 AM

2015-03-16T08:49:32-04:00

Response by LTC Scott O'Neil made Mar 16 at 2015 8:56 AM

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I earned my Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University. I earned my Undergrad degree from Norwich and I wanted a quality school and graduate education. Norwich University provided a challenging awesome learning experience. I would recommend their programs to anyone searching for an accredited program that is challenging and rewarding in all its disciplines.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 9:14 AM

2015-03-16T09:14:19-04:00

CPT Starr, I've been working on my college education since 2011 through Columbia Southern University. I've completed my Associates Degree and I am two classes away from completing my Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership. I chose CSU because of the amount of credits the school gave me for my military transcripts and service history and also because books are free. Anyone who has taken a single college course known how expensive books can be. The school has been extremely helpful. I was assigned an Academic Advisor as well as a Student Representative. They keep in constant contact with me and have helped me through my degree plan.

I have also heard great things about Saint Leo College. My dad has earned two Master's Degrees through St. Leo and has always sung their praises for assisting military service member and veterans. I have seen it mentioned before about staying away from institutions that are not nationally accredited and I think that's a huge point to make. There's no bigger motivation killer than thinking you've completed something worthwhile only to not have it be recognized by everyone.

In this time of transition for the Army, I believe that civilian education should be preached throughout our ranks. I know when I was an 11B, college wasn't something that was really pushed for. Once I reclassed to 27D (Paralegal) I realized that I had a lot of catching up to do. Now my advice to Soldier's about college is start early and work your butt off to get that degree. Even if you don't plan to make the Army a long term career or commitment, get that "piece of paper" while you're in service to make yourself more marketable when you do decide to leave our ranks.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 10:22 AM

2015-03-16T10:22:19-04:00

I have had no issues with UMUC (University of Maryland) Online. I obtained my Bachelor's in Management w/ minor in Business Admin and am now stalled, but pursuing my Masters in Info Tech: Telecommunications Mgmt. It's also no joke...you get out what you put in and if you put in little, you'll fail. For the Bachelor's Degree TA was pretty spot on but for the Master's Degree I do have to pay out of pocket to make up the difference in tuition, but I am feeling it is worth it. Now - just how well it will translate in the civilian sector I don't know yet - but I'll keep ya'll posted in 2-4 yrs. :D

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 10:22 AM

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I think it's highly dependent on what kind of degree / program you're looking for. For an enlisted person leaving active duty and planning to use the post 9/11 GI Bill who isn't yet certain what he / she wants to study, it's a much better idea to enroll in a brick and mortar university and figure out your path with the help of professors and classmates. If you already know exactly what you want to study and attending a brick and mortar school isn't possible (ie, you live too far away,) I would suggest using this reference: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges
You can find the best programs (online or not) for your chosen course of study. I was looking at online MA / MS programs in political science and wound up applying to two of their top recommendations at the U of Nebraska at Omaha and Virginia Tech.

Best Colleges | College Rankings | US News Education - US News

Use our exclusive rankings to find the best college for you. The US News search tool will help you narrow your search to find the perfect college.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Mar 16 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-03-16T10:24:38-04:00

My wife got her degree from Kaplan University (Forensic Accounting). They are a bit pricey, but my wife had an excellent experience. They are awesome with the G.I. Bill ( I gave her mine to get her degree). I have heard bad things about U of Phoenix, but I don't have any actual experience with them. I am a horrible online college student, I tried twice and found that I need a actual brick and mortar college.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-03-16T10:50:55-04:00

I am finishing up my MS in Systems Engineering through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. It's been tough taking multiple graduate level courses at a time, but I highly recommend them. The World-Wide Campus is very flexible, and the classes are all 9 weeks which, while intense, lets you get through their program(s) at a good pace. I start the Capstone class next Monday.

They have a great Business program, and some great under-grad and graduate degrees that aren't aviation related. Check them out!

Response by 1SG James Wise made Mar 16 at 2015 10:56 AM

2015-03-16T10:56:59-04:00

I did the last half of my Bachelors with University of Maryland University College (UMUC), all online, and am now working on my Masters there too. The classes can be no joke, Bachelor classes in 8 weeks with 3-5 papers from 2-10 pages. No exams in any of my 400 level classes, just papers used as an exam. Cost for Bachelor classes is right at TA max.

Master classe have been slightly harder...as they should be. The classes cost around $470 a semester hour, so there is some cost after TA. These classes have been 12 weeks, but I'm managing 9 semester hours this semester with a lot of work on weekends and evenings. Discussion boards fill a lot of time. The saving grace is that papers tend to be shorter at the Master level so far, but you need the same information so you have to write much cleaner and exact.

With UMUC I've found most of the professors very engaging and involved in the online discussions and get papers back usually within 7-10 days max. There are always one or two professors that seem less involved, but that is not the usual for UMUC. Just like there is an occasional professor that isn't as strong, there are also classmates that think online menas easier - my experience is at UMUC they are the ones getting C's or failing. If you are looking to just generate yourself a degree, UMUC is not going to be the place to do it...looking to learn, then there are a lot of degree plans at UMUC, and they even have classrooms on some of the larger bases and deployed, along with Europe and Asia.

Any other questions please ask,
MSG Wise

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-03-16T11:20:45-04:00

I completed my online degree though Embry Riddle. The classes and instructors were relevant to the degree I was pursuing. They even sent an instructor to Afghanistan to teach a compressed on-site class. I was stationed at Fort Campbell Ky and the Embry Riddle staff was always on point and ready to help. When I got out and moved home to WA I still completed the rest of my degree program with the ER staff at Fort Campbell.

Response by PO2 Todd Voge made Mar 16 at 2015 11:31 AM

2015-03-16T11:31:47-04:00

I went to Concordia University in St. Paul, MN to get my BA and MA degrees. They are now fully available online. I'm somewhat biased because I am now an adjunct instructor in their Information Technology in Management Program, but I think the programs they have now are wonderful Instructors are engaged and other cohort members seem to be on task. Would highly recommend a look at them! http://www.csp.edu

Concordia University, St. Paul

Concordia: one of the most affordable private universities in Minneapolis St. Paul. Offering undergraduate, graduate & transfer programs on campus & online.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 12:03 PM

2015-03-16T12:03:33-04:00

Coastline Community College= AA
University of Oklahoma=BS
University of Oklahoma= MA (completed 6 hours so far)

all three schools online and no joke. A lot of brick/mortar schools offer online degree programs now!

Response by SSgt Joe V. made Mar 16 at 2015 12:05 PM

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I attained both my B.S. and M.A. degrees through online programs and the experiences I had were worlds apart. My B.S. (Criminal Justice) was through Troy University (AL), and it was as you describe other's experiences - disengaged instructors, and a lackluster program that was so easy to fake it through, that I never bought a text book through to graduation.

Then, I found a Masters program online through Concordia University (St. Paul, MN), and my notion of online learning was thrown on its proverbial head. I started with a two-day residency on campus meeting the other 11 students in my cohort and meeting each of the instructors I was going to have throughout the program. The very first paper I wrote in the very first class I was enrolled in was not graded the week I submitted it. When I inquired with the instructor about whether she received my paper or not, she replied that she had received a paper with four sentences of meaningful words and five other pages of useless fluff (I believe she even called it garbage).

Needless to say I worked my tail off to ensure my papers were 99% full of useful words from then on (nobody's perfect right...?). The Criminal Justice Leadership program at Concordia was great, and made even more great by the instructors and the other students in my cohort. Of the 11 I started (and graduated) with, I am still in regular contact with seven of them.

As far as what I would stay away from now that I have been in the world of academia for a while, is any online program at a school that is nationally accredited - the opportunities coming out of these schools is hampered by that title alone I have found. And, even though I work in the for-profit career college realm, I would make sure to do extensive research on statistics from these colleges to make sure you are going to come out prepared for the workforce, or at the least that the knowledge gleaned in these programs is useful to you in your current and future positions.

In short (after this long response) is research the hell out of schools to find exactly what you are looking for...there are so many options, but not all of them are good obviously!

Response by SFC Jim Von Lehmden made Mar 16 at 2015 12:52 PM

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I think it really depends on the program. I am currently enrolled online at Morningside College which is in Sioux City Iowa. It's a good program because many educators here use it to keep up with their teaching endorsements but honestly I am doing it online because of convenience.
I think that any of the major ones you hear about are probably ok?? (Phoenix, etc), if you just want a "piece of paper"
I am a firm believer though that anything to deal with leadership MUST be taught in person. You can't teach/evaluate leadership online.

Response by MAJ Haris Balcinovic made Mar 16 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-03-16T13:07:05-04:00

Online education is very convenient, however there are many scams out there, so you have to be careful. The best bet is to enroll into an online program in a university that is also a traditional brick and mortar school (preferably public school, or a decently priced non-profit private). Make sure to check if the schools are accredited (http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/)
I would also recommend staying away from the strictly online schools and for-profit colleges (The University of Phoenix, Sanford Brown, DeVry University, and ITT Technical Institute are just a few of the more popular ones). They are expensive, and students who enroll end up with debt that far outweighs that of their nonprofit and public school peers. There have been several news reports (including 60 Minutes) done about dangers and issues of for-profit colleges.

Response by MSgt Edward Wayne Powell made Mar 16 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-03-16T13:38:48-04:00

I completed my AA General Studies online with Central Texas College in Killeen, TX in 2005. They were my 'home school' when I was on Active Duty in Iceland/Camp Lejeune. When I transitioned to the Reserves, they were still more than willing to work with me in completing my degree, even though I now lived in Illinois. I went on to get my BA Interdisciplinary Studies from Governors State University in University Park, IL in 2013. Both college/university were willing to accept military ACE credits and had book rental programs, each helping me achieve my diplomas quicker and cheaper. Additionally, both are regionally accredited institutions, are members of the Marine Corps Servicemember Opportunity College (SOC) program, and have dedicated veterans reps there to help with paperwork or other issues I experienced as a student (i.e. deployed and still pursuing classes online). I hope that some of my combat arms brothers out there see that I was able to serve in the infantry and still be able to get the 'civilian' diplomas that will be crucial to helping their eventual transitioning, from either active or reserve service. Semper Fi!

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 16 at 2015 2:10 PM

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Although I did not personally attend I have heard great things about Arizona State's Online programs. Probably a bit on the pricey side but they have something like 70 degree programs that are all online and they are a reputable school. They also have a Veterans Upward Bound program which helps prepare Veterans for returning to school so that is a bonus.

If you shop around you are bound to find what you are looking for at a university (not a for-profit one either) that will suit your needs. School is really about what you make it so find good professors and classes that interest you and you will walk away with more than just a piece of paper.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-03-16T14:49:04-04:00

Last year I got my Bachelor degree in Science from the University Of Louisville, Kentucky. My experience was wonderful, good school with outstanding military friendly staff, it was very hard but I finish, I would highly recommend this school. Currently I’m waiting acceptance from Florida Institute of Technology, to start the MS degree. Allot of Senior NCO’S, Warrant Officers and Commission Officer’s told me to apply because, the school is very flexible and understand the Soldier’s. also, everything is online......

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Mar 16 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-03-16T14:59:50-04:00

CPT Starr, I had a great experience with Liberty University. I am currently going to school at Capella University for my Ph.D. in Advance Studies in Behavior. Liberty University is affordable and they give military students an abundance of savings. Capella although is pricey it is competitive and very hand on for their students.

Response by SGT Chris Quesenberry made Mar 16 at 2015 3:40 PM

2015-03-16T15:40:17-04:00

I burn't the post 9/11 GI bill in just under three years to get my bachelor's degree in technical management. I wouldn't have graduated if it was not for one of the amazing instructors at Devry University. Personally, I would not recommend Devry to anyone, but some of the instructors they have down in Southfield, Michigan are awesome.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Mar 16 at 2015 3:56 PM

2015-03-16T15:56:08-04:00

I earned my AA and BA through traditional brick and mortar institutions and my MA through American Military University. Just like you, I found the on-line experience more challenging.
I think AMU is an excellent choice for any military member, in part because they were built and founded on taking care of soldiers. My one complaint would be that they did increase graduate tuition above TA, so at that level you do have some limited out of pocket expenses...but even that was not much.

Response by Col Dave Dales made Mar 16 at 2015 3:57 PM

2015-03-16T15:57:47-04:00

I agree with LCDR Matlow - there will be good, challenging programs and there will be degree mills. Everything I have heard about Univ of Maryland on-line has been positive.

Good question

Response by MAJ Don Weber made Mar 16 at 2015 5:00 PM

2015-03-16T17:00:56-04:00

I had the opportunity to return to school 5 years ago for an MBA. I looked at a lot of programs, and decided that a classroom experience would be the best for me. Keller Graduate School has a campus nearby, so I signed up with them. I needed four courses over the course of three years online. I found all of the courses stimulating, but the interaction in the classroom, and the direct connection for group projects was much more effective for me. Keller is a for-profit school, but the accreditation met the requirements for my current job.

Bottom line will always be, how much effort each person puts in it, and how well they apply the information they receive while in their studies.

Response by SSG Jamil Spruill made Mar 16 at 2015 6:59 PM

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Personally I'm enrolled in Ashford University. Classes are moderate in difficulty. Instructors are engaging and give feedback on all assignments and participate in all class discussions sometimes multiples responses per student. Most classes are only about 5 weeks long and don't have exams so far so I'd say give it a shot if you have hands on and just need the book smarts and a good valuable degree

Response by MSgt Jamie Lyons made Mar 16 at 2015 7:54 PM

2015-03-16T19:54:11-04:00

I used AMU for my undergraduate in History. I thought the classes were challenging and beneficial. For my MBA in Human Resources I went to Trident University International. Again not bad but a big workload.

I think a few people have hit the nail on the head. I cannot emphasize this enough: MAKE SURE ANY SCHOOL YOU GO TO IS 'REGIONALLY' ACCREDITED. National accreditation is basically a diploma mill and courses typically do not transfer. If you see a school that is Distance Education Training Council (DETC), it is usually a nationally accredited institution and not worth your time unless it has a regional accreditation with it. And DETC schools love to target military. They convince you to give them all your TA, but give you a worthless degree. Be careful brothers and sisters.

Response by CPO Bernie Penkin made Mar 16 at 2015 8:23 PM

2015-03-16T20:23:22-04:00

I enjoyed my experience at Capella University online. The classes were well done and I learned a lot. When I was doing my research, I found out that Capella has a good reputation as a for profit university. The recommendations came from other professors at a local university.

Now if I could only find a job in my new field. That would be great!

Response by SFC David Pope, MBA made Mar 16 at 2015 10:39 PM

2015-03-16T22:39:57-04:00

I got my MBA in Accounting from AIU (AmericanIntercontinnental University) it is known as the serious university. I received my Bachelors in Business and Finance though CTU . Colorado Technical University, which has a brick and mortar campus with an athletic department. Both schools were tough, but my capstone class at AIU killed my 3.97 GPA. It was the most difficult class I ever had. I plan on getting my doctorate at Northcentral University online. They have one of the highest ratings for my degree program.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 12:03 AM

2015-03-17T00:03:30-04:00

Post University has been amazing. They have college recruiters all over Ft. Jackson, which originally got me interested while I was in Recruiting School. Free books, great academic advisors, I couldn't ask for a better school.

Response by MSgt Hal Weeden, MBA made Mar 17 at 2015 12:44 AM

2015-03-17T00:44:05-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, I completed an MBA from Liberty University just as I was retiring. Liberty is a regionally accredited university with about 15,000 students on campus in Lynchburg, VA, and nearly 100,000 online students. Military members make up a significant percentage of the online students, as they offer tuition at the TA rate for all degrees through the doctorate level. not only to the military member, but to veterans and dependents! These rates do not apply to courses taken in residence. For military students at the undergraduate level, there is a generous book voucher program.

Like any program, you get out of it what you put into it. I busted my butt and wrote a LOT of papers. I spent 10-20 hours per course per week, sometimes more. There is group work, which can be frustrating depending on who you have to work with. Or, it can be very rewarding. In most courses, there is a certain amount of Christian world view that must be incorporated into papers. Frequently I was able to identify a relevant moral topic to discuss, then used biblical references to tie it all together.

Liberty University does not discriminate between online programs and those taken on campus when issuing diplomas or transcripts.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 1:36 AM

2015-03-17T01:36:08-04:00

I have experienced both sides of the coin. I had many professors (more than not) that were engaged, and held students and their coursework to the highest academic standards. CPT Private RallyPoint Member, Like you, I had to work my tail off to be successful in school. I attended classes in both brick-and-mortar institutions before I went to school online. For me, the challenge of balancing coursework with my professional responsibilities and having fewer resources at my disposal when attending online made it much harder. If I had a question, I was forced to email the professor or classmates and wait for an answer that sometimes could take a few days. I had to learn to teach myself, to study differently, and to be resourceful in ways I had not expected after being in "traditional" college.

The "best " program, I believe, is similar to asking what the best branch in the Army is. Its all depending on the person you ask, their degree, etc. The value has to be taken into account, as you mention. TA will only go so far...

I attended the University of South Carolina, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Central Texas College, and Ashford University. I plan on pursuing my MBA after my PL time is complete.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 8:47 AM

2015-03-17T08:47:02-04:00

I currently go through Colorado Christian University and Southern New Hampshire University. Both have been pleasant experiences.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 9:30 AM

2015-03-17T09:30:25-04:00

Having done all degrees before I joined the Army and gone and talked to contract companies they are looking for that MA holder (MI field). For those of you that have degrees, I would focus on the technical side and get some sort of certification that pertains to your field/degree. It adds more $ to your asking salary. If your interested in Security Studies/Homeland Security/Cyber there are two schools in TX that are online, and fast. ASU and UTEP, good programs, and great networking (which is what you really want from a school). If your getting out and really looking to go to a school that will make you stand out, then pick IDC Herzliya, in Israel. They have a CT and CONRes program. One year study, and you can pick a thesis track or final project. If you want more of a challange, then Nanyang University in Singapore is also legit, that program is also a year, and its a Masters in SS. Both programs take our GI Bills. Need additional info send me a line.

Response by CW4 Bryan Kirby made Mar 17 at 2015 11:18 AM

2015-03-17T11:18:38-04:00

I completed my Bachelors degree through American Military University (AMU). They know the TA system well and charge the maximum allowed, but provided all materials for free. It may not be a well known schoool, but they are Regionally Accredited and were great at working around deployments, TDY/TAD and other military requirements. Students are either all Military, or Government employees of one sort or another.

Response by LT Scott O'Shaughnessy, MBA made Mar 17 at 2015 11:47 AM

2015-03-17T11:47:23-04:00

I have done both of my degree's online, and I have to agree, it is work. Just because you don't sit in a brick and mortar classroom doesn't mean you put in the time and effort. Actually I found that the few undergraduate classes I took that were in classroom easier just do to the interaction and being able to have a Prof. right there to answer questions. So for anyone who says you didn't really "earn" your degree. As them what they did while they got their's? I doubt most of them held down a full time job, in the service, had a family, oh and still put in 20 hours a week studying.

Response by SPC Nate Lamphier made Mar 17 at 2015 12:00 PM

2015-03-17T12:00:25-04:00

Just a quick note on my education to give you a better understanding of my experience. I graduated from Upper Iowa University in 2005. I lived on campus, played some sports and loved it. At the time the military wasn't really a thought with the exception of when the war first started I talked briefly to a recruiter but thought I'd be more appealing if I completed my degree at the time. Fast forward to 2009 when I enlisted into the Army (with that enlistment, goodbye to $45K in student loans!) with the plan of utilizing the TA option once I got established in my unit.

Fast forward to the end of 2010. I was living in lovely Baghdad, Iraq. I could only spend so much time in the gym so I thought there was no better time than the present to start up my masters program. I was a certified teacher in the state of Iowa so I obviously wanted to get something to better myself in that field. I did my research (thankfully) and found the best college for me. I say the comment about the research because the counselor that I talked to, although a nice guy, did not know much outside of the schools who were "money schools" that he would funnel Soldiers to for promotional purposes. For example, he wanted me to go to University of Phoenix. Being that I wanted to be considered for teaching positions at some point, I didn't want to put "University of Georgia State Institution of Human Reproduction Technology" (sorry if this school actually exists...I mean no harm! By that I mean I wanted an accredited school that I would have no issues with in terms of getting a job and more importantly, getting the certification. For teaching, you have to meet standards in terms of what classes you complete in terms of your degree. Because a school offers a certain program, does not mean you will get the accreditation through the state to teach in that field.

I know I am getting long winded...but I honestly feel strongly in this subject. I had Soldiers who wanted to attend the University of Georgia State Institution of Human Reproduction Technology schools because they planned on staying in the Military for a career. I am fine with that but I would make clear to them that if they are doing this, that if something happens and their career in the Military is cut short, they may have troubles landing that gig they want because they will be competing against people who, for example, have degrees from the University of Iowa or the University of South Carolina. Schools that have a reputation.

There are a few things that I did look for and that I advised Soldiers to look for when considering an online program. Here is a list:
1) Does their main campus have dorms.
2) Does their main campus have sports accredited through the NCAA or the NAIA.

If they had those two, especially #2 (if they have #2 they will have #1) because they are required to meet academic standards.

With this all said, I attended Fort Hays State University (was stationed at Fort Riley at the time but moved back to Iowa before I completed the program) and I have nothing but great things to say. There were times where "war" got in the way of my studies but the people who I worked with understood that and accommodated those circumstances. There were times where I had to call and get my classes loaded up to the Army Portal so I could register using TA...again, very easy process and the people were great to work with.

I know I have now wrote a book but like I said, I feel strongly about this subject and if there are any more questions you (or anyone) have about this, I will be more than willing to help!

Good luck and do your research and don't let certain people push you in a direction you are not comfortable with!

Response by SGT Leon Brimm made Mar 17 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-03-17T13:00:10-04:00

I earned my undergrad degree the traditional way by going to a University, but when I was seeking my Masters I went with the online program at Liberty University. Don't get me wrong, they have good rates for Vets and the coursework is not overbearing. The problem I had with the school was the focus of religion over everything else. They would teach the science and then question the teaching in another lecture. So I did not learn a whole lot and now I am looking to go back to Graduate school, I just don't know where.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 2:00 PM

2015-03-17T14:00:34-04:00

I got my degree at Post University out of Waterbury, CT. NCAA DIV 2 school with an online program. It was a lot of work, 8 week terms, and I could only take about 6 classes a year before TA ran out. I ended up takin a student loan the last year to go a head and finish it up.

Professors were all professional, and it was a real military friendly school. They had a deal with USAREC to give xx credits for students that had completed either the US Army Recruiting school or NGBs recruitng school at Camp Robinson, AR. I think all I had to take was a math class before I started my 300-400 level classes.

Response by SGT Clive Choat made Mar 17 at 2015 2:34 PM

2015-03-17T14:34:00-04:00

Like you, I used an online college to complete my undergraduate, and then go on to earn a masters degree. If someone tells me it was easier than attending a physical classroom, I always tell them they don't know what they're talking about or worse, they're going to the wrong school.

BTW, Both schools have brick and mortar campus' and the masters school has an NCAA div 1 Basketball team. That is an important difference between online and U of P schools.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made Mar 17 at 2015 5:15 PM

2015-03-17T17:15:05-04:00

I earned my AA in Information Technology/Networking from University of Phoenix. While I think it's a great way to knock out the stuff that's required for all degrees (math, English, etc.), it is not the best route to go for the technical portion of it...learning subnet masking, routing protocols, and building networks is NOT easily done out of a textbook (and damn near impossible to retain). All that aside, UoP was pretty good.

Response by Lt Col Douglas Humerick made Mar 17 at 2015 7:04 PM

2015-03-17T19:04:03-04:00

I'm currently pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration through Capella University. They're accredited and vet friendly. I'm guessing about 40-50 percent of my classmates are former or current military. Capella is a Yellow Ribbon School if you use the Post 9-11 GI Bill. They also offer Bachelor and Masters degrees.

Good luck in whatever school or program you choose.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 9:38 PM

2015-03-17T21:38:00-04:00

Bloomberg did a piece that is informative
http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/magazine/content/10_02/b [login to see] 366.htm

For-Profit Colleges Target the Military

Online universities are raking in millions by signing up soldiers as students. But how valuable is the education they're delivering?

Response by Izzy Avila made Mar 17 at 2015 10:11 PM

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I earned my graduate degree at Central Michigan University while on Active Duty ($300/credit). Good experience! And of course, I will give a shameful plug for Penn State's online programs - Ranked by US News & World Report "#1 for online undergraduate degree programs - 2015".

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 8:15 AM

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Rumor has it, most employers will not accept degrees from Phoenix. I've read a ton of complaints about this school. DO NOT ENTER!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 10:55 AM

2015-03-18T10:55:32-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member,

I am currently taking online classes through University of Management and Technology. I like it because it is self-paced and I don't have to worry about school timelines along with work timelines. I enjoy self-learning, but the professors are always available to engage in case you have questions.

As far as with TA, I believe they do really well when it comes to pricing. They give you a better cost than if you were non-military attending the school. They were also listed as one of the top military friendly schools!

The only other school I attended was Thomas Edison State. I am neutral on this school. I just feel like it a school to go to once you are out of the military.

Another thing I enjoy about UMT is that they provide the textbooks free of charge to the ServiceMember, I just have to pay to ship them back once the class has finished.

Response by SSG Claude Pinner made Mar 18 at 2015 11:38 AM

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Early in my career I tried the brick and mortar classes. I was stationed in Hawaii, so the obvious choice was Honolulu Community College. Once I PCS'd, there was no way to continue with them so I chose to transfer to UMUC-Europe while I was in Italy. I used the combination of attanding actual classes in the Ed Center, as well as online classes. It was going well until I PCS'd back to CONUS and UMUC-E didn't provide the proper resources here for me to continue. I transfered my classes to Troy University and have been with them since. I am a few classes away from my BS in Sport and Physical Fitness and have found the experience to be awesome.

Response by LTC David Gunn made Mar 18 at 2015 12:06 PM

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I did not receive my degree from an online university, but I did take some of my course work online. I have also instructed online courses. There are two very important aspects of any online course or class. First, the university has to have investment in the program/class. Meaning, if a university views the online program as a necessary evil to financial inclusion than your degree/program/class will show that disinterest in the selection of instructors, quality of class and instructional involvement. The interest of this type is exemplified in student approval rates and instructional changeover. The second is instructor involvement. Instructor feedback/involvement is critical to any class, face to face or online. Students need feedback and instructional involvement. A way to check instructor involvement is message board inputs. if a professor is fully vested you will see comments throughout the message board feedback, making provocative and insightful comments. Another way is to check the feedback loop required of a university. When I instructed online courses we where required to provide feedback within 10 days of the assignment turn in date, or before another like type assignment. Online instruction is difficult and requires more "offline" work by an instructor that face to face classes. Many instructors have the impression their workload will decrease when instructing online. This misconception often leads to poor instruction.

Good luck in your search.

Response by PO2 Erik Swanson made Mar 18 at 2015 12:20 PM

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I completed my BS at Colorado State University online. I didn't find it to be any different than going to the university as far as being treated as a student. Now if I could only find a university for my masters that meets my company's standards that would be great.

Response by CW2 Eric Scott made Mar 18 at 2015 12:29 PM

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I've found a AS/BS in computer science is a great way to go. You're already on a computer and anything you have to do in the way of labs etc is right in front of you.

Response by SSG Lloyd Becker BSBA-HCM, MBA made Mar 18 at 2015 12:51 PM

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I attended Colorado Technical University on line. I already had an AA from Columbia Basin College at Pasco, WA. I picked up both a Bachelors and a Masters. I started my Doctorate with them until I started having some medical problems.

CTU is not too bad. They run 5.5 week courses, which you take two courses in a quarter. There is no GMAT, GRE, or any of these if someone wants to pursue a Masters. If anyone wants to know a little more about CTU, let me know.

LCDR Jaron Matlow, Phoenix needs to be avoided. They will graduate anyone with a pulse to maintain standing with FAFSA.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 1:17 PM

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Sarah, If you do your research you'll find that when it comes to veteran's programs, both in-residence and online, California University of Pennsylvania continually ranks among the top schools in the country. They've been named a "military-friendly" school 6 years in a row. I completed my Masters of Science degree online, beginning while in Iraq commanding an MCT in Mosul, and finishing up back home in a year. The program was tough and demanding and required serious focus and dedication to finish on time. After seeing how beautiful the actual campus was I decided to actually attend commencement. It was well worth it.

As far as those to stay away from... For my taste, any of the for-profit schools. After all, what's their focus providing an education or making a profit? There's a reason teachers salaries are often the brunt of jokes. For profit schools seem to have a conflict of interest...

CAL U LABELED 'MILITARY FRIENDLY' FOR 6TH YEAR : CAL U

For the sixth consecutive year, Victory Media has honored California University of Pennsylvania as a Military Friendly School, recognizing Cal U’s service and commitment to military service members, veterans and their families. The 2015 Military Friendly Schools list honors the 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are most responsive to the needs of veterans and the military community. “Cal U takes care of...

Response by GySgt William Hardy made Mar 18 at 2015 1:36 PM

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Back before there was an on-line program, I started my college education on post through the University of Maryland and City Colleges of Chicago. I transferred those credits to a community college and then to a private college where I received my BS and MA. I have taught at my former school on a part-time basis working with adults. I cannot speak to the on-line experience, but I can say that everyone needs to pay attention to the school's accreditation. Every school, on-line or not is now calling themselves a college. Even the states have changed the name of vocational schools to Technological College or College of Technology. This does not make it a college. Be sure that the school is accredited by the proper authorities and that your hours will transfer to another college. I personally know of people who started off on-line and then went traditional and found out that their previous credits did not count.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Mar 18 at 2015 1:45 PM

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I laugh when I hear people stating that online classes are easy. I NEVER wrote so many research papers in my life. Accredited online colleges are insanely demanding because you have NO idea what to focus on. If theclass has 3 books you read them all cover to cover, at least twice! Psych classes averaged about 200 pages of writing per class. Get used to 25 pages at the graduate level. I'm not giving an endorsement or free advertising. My profile lists my schools. Not well known, but VERY challenging and regionally/nationally accredited. Great thread idea CPT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 1:56 PM

2015-03-18T13:56:05-04:00

I'm currently working on my MBA through Arizona State University and I've found their program to be excellent. They have a Veterans assistance office called the Pat Tillman Center that is extremely helpful with everything. Definitely consider any of the ASU online degree programs.

Response by SFC Charles S. made Mar 18 at 2015 2:13 PM

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From an education standpoint Online has many aspects that are very good for working individuals. There are those who are hard line against online degrees... and those have probably never had to work and go to school at the same time. I'm a Graduate of Both Attended courses and I took a ton of Full load classes while I was on Active Duty. My MBA was taken with a Hybrid online and attended class work. So, I've seen both sides of this coin.

This article talks about choosing top colleges and it is meant more for attended universities but I would also use the same mentality when choosing Online colleges too.

Forget Harvard and Stanford. It really doesn’t matter where you go to college

A new book shows that people of all ages and walks of life have found success without degrees from brand-name universities.

Response by CSM William DeWolf made Mar 18 at 2015 3:05 PM

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As a higher education administrator, there are numerous very good and respectable online degree programs to look at and choose from. I would make sure that the institution is regionally accredited before making any commitments.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 3:13 PM

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I received my bachelors degree from kaplan university this past september. TA covered everything involved with the courses (10 wk per), and the professors were genuine and knowledgeable of the studies they taught. Im planning on goibg for my masters degree through this university as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-03-18T15:45:59-04:00

I'm about to receive my Undergrad from UTEP. Now looking at UofL for Grad School. I know their are plenty of great options for people as long as they do their research

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 4:06 PM

2015-03-18T16:06:59-04:00

Right now I am earning my AA in mobile development, and yes I do have to commit and lot of time and effect in completing just one class per every 5 weeks. I have a lot of support at work and at home with pursuing my degree. I am currently enrolled in University of Phoenix, and yes I understand that this school wasn't up to par a few years ago, but in the last 2 years that my wife has attended the school has changed their curriculum around to boost their stature for accreditations

Response by SPC Mariendia Williams made Mar 18 at 2015 4:17 PM

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Dear CPT,

I have completed my Bachelors in Business Administration and now four classes from finishing my Masters in Business Administration. If it was not for online I would have never been able to earn my degree. The classes are challenging, but doable.

Kaplan University changed my life and offers many degrees mapped around specific military training. It is Regionally Accredited and listed on US News and World Report as a top online school and Top online for Veterans. It has earned Top Online school by GIJobs, Military Advanced Education and Military Times Edge.

Check out the military home page at http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/military.aspx?ss=1

Response by SGM John Latham, PMP made Mar 18 at 2015 5:00 PM

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I completed my Bachelors with Wayland Baptist University in classroom courses and then my Masters with mostly on-line. For the Bachelors level, Wayland has challenging classes but give a great deal of credit for military training/experience. I had a great experience with them and would highly recommend their programs if you are looking for a degree in your area of study.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 5:35 PM

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I have completed both online (for my Masters) and resident (for my Bachelors) college degree programs. There are many items that soldiers do not take into consideration when choosing which one to do. Here are the list of considerations and opinions(not a complete list):

- Is the college nationally accredited or regionally accredited (some civilian employers take this into consideration)
- If an online school or resident school, is it a degree factory (which may be fine for some...i.e. just to get promoted, but again civilian employers look at that)
- Depending on the degree you want, is that school known for that (i.e. MIT - known for computer science and electrical engineering programs)
- I would not recommend online school for a person that just got out (within 2~4 years) of High School, unless you are good at keeping a good schedule and committing yourself to learning.
- I did my Masters about 8 years after I got done with my Bachelors and would recommend to anyone to take only 2~3 years between Bachelors and Masters if possible.

Best online programs for me:
- Thru my research, Stevens Institute of Technology was highly rated for a Masters in Systems Engineering. The material wasn't too difficult, but the interaction between the professor and students was kinda lacking...but the interaction between the students was fantastic!
- I'm currently enrolled online at Johns Hopkins for a Masters in Computer and Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Information Technology, but just started each program so not much insight yet.

Ones I'd stay away from...
- Any college where their classes don't transfer to other universities

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 6:10 PM

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Columbia Southern University is where am currently enrolled n the sacrifice is worthy. As a student in Criminal Justice, I have come to know lots about my rights n responsibility to my fellow countrymen than ever n it a tool I would be proud to aid in making this world better for all. As challenging as it has been working full time n studying admits deployment, it is also free. By God's grace, I should walk the stage this year.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 6:17 PM

2015-03-18T18:17:19-04:00

I have been to both. I graduate from my online University (American Military University) in June. I have had some great experiences. I attended full time while working full time. I do not believe it is possible to do the same while in a traditional university setting. two classes every eight weeks, four per 16 week semester.

AMU is fully accredited and nationally ranked at #27 as the best online bachelors program. Right up there with George Washington University.

In my program, the professors are actively employed by government agencies providing excellent feedback on assignments.

I will gladly provide more detail if anyone is interested. +1/thumbs up me for more info. I would do it all over again. It has been the best experience. My wife has a Ph.D. and she has been also impressed with the school.

Response by SSgt Michael Berube made Mar 18 at 2015 9:15 PM

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I would stay away from the degree mills. I am not talking about or debating the quality of the education you receive at a Strayer or Univ of Phx. Fair or unfair... it does not matter how good of an education you get there. It could be fantastic depending who you are grouped with (or so I have heard). However, how that degree is perceived by a potential employer is quite a different thing and what is truly important. I have been on (many) hiring panels with folks who clearly devalue a degree from these institutions. If the purpose of getting a degree is to land a good job, why pay more for a degree from somewhere that is looked at as being a paper mill by a potential employer?

I agree with several of the other posts... your best bet is to use a program that is part of a major university. In my case I went to UMass - Amherst and they were fantastic.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 9:27 PM

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Thank you CPT Private RallyPoint Member I started my bachelors with Liberty University while deployed to the combat zone of Baghdad in 09/10. We get multiple rounds of RPG launched at us like almost every evening right on the FOB. So to say, living on Liberty then is no fun. I only get 5GB of data on a monthly plan from the shared ISP plan we had at that time.
One of the classes I was enrolled in is titled “Contract Law” for the other classes, I am getting my job done around my duty schedules. But for the Contrat Law class, there was an assignment that requires me to watch a video and write a paper from the court case watched. This assignment weighs about 300 points out of my 1000 total points for that class. I explained to the professors about what’s going on within my area at Camp Liberty.. We’ve received so many incoming RPG rounds and we’ve also lost some soldiers at this point, things were running really crazy at this point, the internet was shut down for a few hours after they brought it back up.. It was really slow to load any 3.5GB video that is required by this professor who basically told me to go f**** myself after telling her we are losing soldiers here and was wondering if she would not mind giving me a few days extension on the assignment. I even asked her if there is any way I can get the DVD of the court case shipped to my home, so I can have my wife send it express post at Camp Liberty. She just does not care. I have had some great experience with some professors at Liberty University and I have had some terrible experiences with some of the professors there too. Personally, I think the social science professors at Liberty are probably one of the best in the nation. But if you are looking for a good business degree that you want something meaningful out of, Liberty University is probably not the place for you except if you just want the paper certificate.
After the struggle with Liberty University I moved on to Grantham University. I have nothing else to say about this school other than good stuff, they work with you and are willing to work with you one on one, if you call or email your professors, they’ll explain to you what is not clear to you and make sure you get it right. The professors are like your mentors in a professional world. Reason why I like Grantham most is because the professors they are using are actually people working in the career field of what they are teaching, this has made my Masters program experience with Grantham a better one, though lot of stressful work, but when the communication gap is bridged and two way communication is clear.. Completing the program is just a matter of willingness and determination to break through.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 10:58 PM

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I started my degree online and now I'm finishing my degree on campus. It was a different experience because I paced myself and prioritized my time in order to earn the best grade that I can. Taking care of soldiers, family and school was a tough task but it's all about commitment. You have to want and I personally think online school is better than the campus life. That's my personal opinion, someone else might differ.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 11:12 PM

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I got my MBA online through Grand Canyon University. At present, it's an (overpriced) $50K piece of paper that I'm incredibly bitter about. I wish I had done more research before I started with them.

The program was not "easy." No, we didnt have tests, but we had lots of weekly essays to submit that I wonder how in the world any professor could have possibly had time to review properly.

While GCU "does" have a brick and mortar institution, it's still a for profit university, and everything I have read has stated that not-for-profit/public universities, specifically the well known universities that happen to have an online program to supplement the needs to today's society is better than a for profit institution.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 1:09 AM

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I received my bachelors degree from Chapman University in Southern California. I chose to utilize the brick and mortar as well as online option.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 2:28 AM

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I am currently attending Liberty University online and I love it. I am pursuing a degree in Psychology with a Military Resilience cognate. They cap tuition at $250 per credit hour for military, they give a $200 book voucher per semester, and waive the technology fee if you are part time. It is a Christain school with biblical worldviews incorporated into every class so it wouldn't be for everyone, but the professors are engaging and they have a ton of resources and are always extremely helpful. And it is a brick and mortar campus in Virginia.

Response by Steve C. made Mar 19 at 2015 4:04 AM

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I've taken a class from Georgetown University (view EDx), and I was quite surprised by it's quality.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 6:30 AM

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I completed my Bachelors with Wayland Baptist by taking both online and in person classes. The online classes I felt were much tougher then the in person classes. I'm currently working on my MBA with UMUC, in a hybrid program. Classes once a month and the rest online. The work is tough but I'm learning.
As military members with access to TA, I don't understand why people go to these "for profit" schools. I graduated with a Bachelors with no debt. The MBA classes cost me $214 each, I will graduate with no debt. I have friends who have gone to these "for profit" schools and now carry $30k worth of student loans. Why? When I called one of these schools, they were more interested in getting every nickel out me, then getting me started in a program. They wanted me to use the top up program and/or my 9/11 bill. Why? So many affordable good online programs available to us military folks.

Response by COL David S. made Mar 19 at 2015 9:22 AM

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The quality of education has been declining for years. There is no rigor to it and the classroom experience is something that cannot be duplicated by any on-line program. It is unfortunate that the classroom experience has been declining for a long time. I am not saying that you don't learn online, but it doesn't afford the opportunities to learn that a classroom will.
I taught for 13 years in two universities and the level of knowledge that the students brought into the classroom was in steady decline. When I compared my undergraduate experience to that of my students----it was worlds apart. Similarly, my education was inferior to those whose education was a generation before me.
There are a lot of reasons, but grade inflation, begun by the ivy leagues is a cause. Not the only cause, but one of them. It has now spread across the higher education spectrum.

Response by SSG David Shifflett made Mar 19 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-03-19T11:53:51-04:00

I have a lot of experience with on line course. The best I have found is Capitol College, now Capitol university. It takes a real skilled professor, administration and support team to make it work. You as a student need to research, discuss and visit each school's on line services.

Response by GySgt George Vukovich made Mar 19 at 2015 12:00 PM

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This is definitely one of the longest running, informative, and thought provoking threads I've had an opportunity to read as a RP member! Great topic / fantastic points shared / and congratulations to each and every Veteran in here who has taken the time to advance their higher education resume. It's not easy as we all know.

I think it's important to remember 'there is no college / university which appeals to each and every one of us.' I think we all choose institutions of higher learning for a variety of reasons. Online tends to work better for working adults, particularly as most of our Veterans have day time jobs to tend to. It also works well for the active duty component! Particularly if the school is asynchronous, with the overall flexibility of log-in times and material submission.

But one point of discussion which has not surfaced is the topic of "relevant curriculum". I encourage anyone considering a college / university to do a little research on the given schools curriculum. Is the school teaching material relevant to today's society? Does the school work with industry leaders to determine instructional needs per employeer requirements? As society changes so does the need for updated curriculum! Please keep this in mind.

I also want to congratulate all of the AMU grads within this discussion! Nice work!!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 4:12 PM

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So the issue with online universities is one I have dealt with from the hiring end. It's a tough one. The key problem is that when someone presents an on-line degree and it's not from a major and otherwise highly selective university, that degree doesn't tell you much. (There are good degrees from places like Johns Hopkins or UPenn that are usually for experienced professionals and are themselves selective) The problem is the low standard to pass, which means that even though the person may be motivated, intelligent, and found the experience truly valuable, it is hard to distinguish them from the "also ran", because the finish line is easily crossed (intellectually) so long as one could get a loan. This is the most important point...these schools are easy to pass intellectually. They may have required commitment of time and resources, but not of mental effort on-par with a graduate degree. Thus, the range of mental capabilities and intellectual habits these graduates have is huge.

The worst examples are on-line degrees + fashionable majors like "homeland security". When I see that on the resume I start desperately searching for something else that tells me what this person knows and how they think. If they make it to interview then I grill them to see where they stand intellectually. The main issue with degrees in fields that are not academic, but are fashionable is that they are little more than job-search enhancement programs. When someone says they have a degree in physics or sociology I know the general profile of their coursework and the kinds of mental challenges those required; as well as the quality of the work in those fields that they were exposed to. Homeland security, criminal justice, information systems, etc are skill trade catch-alls, not academic fields. Thus, I can't even begin to infer what this person knows apart from some statistics and trivia from those career fields. A physicist is trained to think a certain way. A historian is trained to think a certain way. A "Homeland Securitarian" knows a bunch of facts.

There is also something to be said for the in-class experience or even an on-line experience where one's writing is highly judged. Although I won't judge someone explicitly on the mode of their degree (especially if it is a Master's), where that degree is from and what it is in matter.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 4:55 PM

2015-03-19T16:55:28-04:00

My experience at Grantham University was both challenging and rewarding. I found their distant learning program to be catered to the military and the professors are flexible in their deadlines. Some of the classes I took for my MBA were on the easier side while others were very difficult. What I like about GU is the material taught being applicable. I applied some of the business management models to my office which helped administration and operational duties occur more efficiently.

Other online programs I've heard/know about are ones from my alma mater (Norwich University), Troy, AMU, and a few others. I haven't heard anything bad about them and look forward to hearing others' experiences with their higher education.

I personally would stay away from non-accredited and for-profit universities. I only heard negative facts about them and/or are questionable in their teachings.

Response by MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 8:39 PM

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I received both of my degrees with Grantham University. I came across this institution by shear luck and was very pleased from start to finish. Although it took 10 years (with about 1 1/2 year break) to go from nothing to a Master Degree, I don't regret a minute. To accomplish this it took a lot of self-discipline, dedication, family sacrifices and time management. I was very fortunate to have the family support in this endeavor.
Grantham allowed me to do 100% work on-line and the entire staff was very willing to work with the student with the utmost professionalism. 100% of books were covered by tuition assistance with no out-of-pocket expense (except for a small fee during the Master's program).
All the Professor's were willing to work with me and my busy military work schedule...to include deployments. When I was appointed a new student advisor, it was as if they new my entire plan and had been working with me the entire time.
The education I received during my trek was superb. As with anything, the more effort you put in the more you get out of it. The benefits of my program have aided me with my current military position working at the Pentagon. With my Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and my Master's Degree in Performance Improvement, this aids in understanding the military from a Business Analyst perspective. This is key when dealing with military civilians, acquisitions, human resources and budget analysis.
When deciding on one's avenue for their education path, the main thing I would recommend is look at is whether you are the type that needs to sit in a classroom that necessitates the need for student/ instructor face-to-face interaction with classmates or if you are more of a material reader that can interact via the web. It is all based on the individual. Personally, I like the self-paced avenue that allows me to either work ahead or at an even pace with my fellow students and allows me to work during my off-time from the military as not to interfere with my military duties.
Bottom line: No matter what...further your education. I would recommend Grantham University to anyone.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 3:56 PM

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We discussed this in one of my classes at Norwich University. Another student posted this infographic from Drexel University which echoes what many have already said and I believe rings true. It is attached but impossible to read. The link for the infographic is: http://www.drexel.com/online-degree-vs-traditional-degree.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 5:36 PM

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I finished an Associates Degree in Business Administration thru Thomas Edison. I was 4 classes shy of the Bachelors degree, but I could not understand why writing my career resume as a term paper was a class pre-requisite so I just stopped taking the classes. I did not want to waste anymore of TA on such a program.

Response by SFC Richard Davidson made Mar 23 at 2015 10:33 AM

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Liberty University Online. I have done multiple distance learning programs in the past. This is by far the best one I have experienced.

Response by MAJ Roy Nickerson made Mar 23 at 2015 6:58 PM

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I never took an online master's course (I know I couldn't hack it. My hat's off to you!), but I did take a master's certification course from Notre Dame via University Alliance. I worked my butt off in that program. Other programs through UA, not so much. I think it all depends on your objectives. Do you simply want the credential or do you want to actually learn something? I'm sure it's the latter. Good luck!

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 3:08 PM

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I've only done an online course during my Bachelor's courses, and I agree with some folks on this forum.
Online is ok, but it will never replicate realtime discussion and critical thought.
I would equate an online curriculum to rifle qualification, where getting rated as expert means choosing between True or False. AND this is just my personal opinion. I think that the classroom setting is more value added, especially in this day and age where one must learn to adapt to interaction with different personality types and varying degrees of perspective.
Online stuff...yah...not so much if you are an introvert and finding yourself at odds with the S3 or the DCO. Person to person is the way to go.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 10:58 AM

2015-03-27T10:58:20-04:00

Arizona State University, great online program, very supportive and helpful and the degree is simply an ASU degree, same as an on campus student.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 9:30 PM

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I used Thomas Edison State College online degree program and earned my BA in organizational Leadership. Easy and friendly program. Great staff and well educated professors.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 9:50 PM

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Sir, I'm glad your experience was a good one. My own, not so much. I would describe it much as you did in your second paragraph. I did actually have to earn my Bachelor's, but I still feel ripped off because I didn't learn a damn thing. What's the point of an education if the only thing you learn is not to pursue an education?

In all seriousness, for me, there's no substitute for in-seat classes.

Response by MSgt Steve Miller made Mar 31 at 2015 9:37 AM

2015-03-31T09:37:00-04:00

I finished my BS with the University of Phoenix (U of P) in March of 2013. Even though I used the VA Chapter 31 rehabilitation program to pay for the degree I did not find it worth the money. U of P is an accredited learning institution, but it seems to carry less weight with employers than other degree programs given by big name learning institutions.

Were professors fully engaged in the curriculum? This seemed to very from class to class and often (personal opinion) had something to do with the professors “other job” getting in the way. Most online instructors that I had throughout the process also worked full time elsewhere. Only a few were fully dedicated to online teaching. Yet, for the most part they were responsive.

Did some of my classmates come across as idiots? Of course, but then I’m sure there were a few that thought I was an idiot. It’s important to remember when taking online classes that each student comes from a different upbringing, different state, and are many different ages. I was 50 years of age when I started, so I was never the youngest, but I also was not always the oldest.

Were the classes challenging? Yes, and No! It depended on the subject, and the extent of already obtained knowledge acquired throughout my life experience. Some could not get past the math, and were forced to drop out as a result.

If I were still active duty would I recommend U of P to my fellow Marines? No. I wish I had checked into other schools before starting down the path to higher education. My soon to be son-in-law is attending online classes with Arizona State. Per frequent discussion the classes require a bit more effort than I had to exert at the U of P. I’m able to put full stock in his opinion because he did his first two years with the U of P before transferring to Arizona State. I’m not saying U of P was a bad experience, but rather that its not the biggest bang for the buck.

Response by Capt Meredith R. made Mar 31 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-03-31T11:54:30-04:00

I attended an online bachelors program from the Savannah College of Art and Design as a way to get professional training paid for by the GI Bill. It was not a good experience. Much like the people you have heard from, the teachers were unengaged and unresponsive. I have been told that some of them took the extra classes so they could increase their income. But it did not decrease their regular courseload, so they thought of those as throw-away classes and didn't really participate. I also think the professors were paid less than they are for in-person classes. Funny, since tuition for students is the same either way. I did not get the personal attention that I expected for the amount of money the GI Bill funneled them. In the end, it ended up being mostly independent study, and I wasted a lot of time on electives that I didn't need (like aesthetics and history). I should have taken some of the high-quality online courses offered from highly qualified and engaged professionals instead, and paid out of pocket. Then I could have saved my GI Bill for a masters instead. I don't think the diploma is worth the paper it's printed on and I usually leave it off my resume.

I'd also offer this advice for anyone looking at online programs: They cannot replace the personal interaction and engagement you get from being in a classroom with peers and professors. I am not talking just about making friends, but about peers who push each other to be better, networking, and facilities and services offered by schools. Sometimes you have no choice but to do an online class, but if it's not out of necessity, go to the school and sit in the classroom. You'll get much more for your money and come out with contacts that might actually help you get a job.

Response by MSG Lance Kelly made Apr 4 at 2015 7:48 PM

2015-04-04T19:48:11-04:00

I graduated from Fort Hays State University's online degree program. They are a big supporter of the military and their program is geared toward military members and their family. I even drove to Kansas from New York and then LA for both my wife's graduation and then mine. We were welcomed with open arms. The professors are wonderful and the classes were flexable enough to work around my schedule which included TDY trips and a PCS move. I plan to pursue my Master's Degree from there as well. I would recommend FHSU to anyone.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2015 7:30 PM

2015-04-06T19:30:24-04:00

I attended two colleges full time to earn my bachelor’s degree, and the experience was fantastic. In fact, the quality experience I had made me very leery about taking online classes when I started graduate school at Embry Riddle. I took my first three classes at satellite campuses, but quickly ran out of options if I wanted to continue to take a class each term. Once I made the leap to online classes I finished the rest of my degree online. Embry Riddle Worldwide is a very good option for anyone pursuing a degree online. The nature of online classes are very flexible and allow students to balance their work, family, and school demands around their schedule. The classes were challenging and I walked away with a great deal from everyone I took. With that being said, the value of education (online or in-person) depends on the student just as much as the program. If you put in the time, effort, and take school serious you will not only be successful but walk away with a quality education.

My second experience with online classes is ongoing at Capella University. I took a huge leap starting my Doctorate, but could not be happier with the results thus far. The schedule is not as flexible as when I attended Embry Riddle, but it has been both challenging and manageable. I realize there are some online programs out there that are questionable, but I have had nothing but positive experiences. If anyone has questions about the quality of a school or their programs I would suggest they do some research prior to applying. There is plenty of information available from external sources that rate schools. Researching college accreditation is also a method for validating the merits of a school prior to applying. If all else fails, seek out help from peers, seniors, or your local education office.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2015 10:25 PM

2015-04-06T22:25:51-04:00

Found a very good inforgraphic realated to this topic - it provides a great visualization of how students (MBA specifically in this infographic) want a more specialized and flexible degree program.

The Evolution of the MBA | Visual.ly

From the learning experience to study habits to communication with faculty, the way students learn has evolved over the past 100 years. Today's MBA st

Response by SSG Ronnie Allen made Apr 11 at 2015 11:29 AM

2015-04-11T11:29:11-04:00

Capella University is legit. instructors are world wide many of them are also teaching in places such as University of Cincinnati. Kentucky and so on. Ive learned alot and been challenged beyond anything expected. currently in one of there PhD programs.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 5:20 PM

2015-04-14T17:20:49-04:00

I have two degrees and will be using TA to start a 3rd, probably this summer. The first two I had before entering the military and were combined campus and online courses. The first was a more technical focus, Networking Systems Administration, which required a lot of lab work, so hands on was a must. However when I moved into the more business focused Networking Communications Management portion, it changed to a lot of online work. Since I was starting to work full time, the idea of going to the campus after work for 4+ hours only to do most of the work online, did not appeal to me. I switched to online, which worked well for me. There are pros and cons, it takes more dedication to focus on your work at home, as opposed to at a campus. Also, you don't have that daily interaction with other people in your program.

I'm currently looking at an online Master's Program at the University of Southern California, in Cyber Security. The program looks to be structured pretty well and if I balance my course load, I should be able to do online classes while working. Unfortunately, being an 11b, we don't have the most stable schedule, so working around that will be a task in and of itself, but its doable.

Response by PO2 John Quinn made May 4 at 2015 6:35 PM

2015-05-04T18:35:34-04:00

Online programs can be hit or miss one way to avoid the pitfalls of paper mills is to check the Department of Educations web site to see if the school is on their accredited list: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If it is on here then it is most likely a good school to attend whether online or in the brick and mortar. Of course do not go on this alone, search the web for feedback from students. If you work in the government or are thinking about it make sure you get your degree from one of these accredited schools especially if you are in a specialized field like Information Technology.
r/jq

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 4 at 2015 10:16 PM

2015-05-04T22:16:35-04:00

Having been an educator let me pass on a bit of inside insight on on-line classes.

My college was very hot to get into the on-line business. Instead of 30 students per instructor / professor per class they could now load up to to 100 - 120 students per class. WOW! What a money maker! So here is how it play out from the instructor / professor point of view. I could barely keep up with the work output of 30 students so all the assignments had to be stripped down. With 120 students the only hope was to put everyone into teams and grade the teams. Lectures disappeared into Power-Point presentations which students had to go thru on their schedule. The software running the process would let me know if students had actually downloaded the PP, but as to their reading and comprehension .. pffft .. who knew until test time. At the end of the day, the Admin office could care less after the checks cleared.

Having also been a student I know that there are times when you really need to reach out to an instructor with a WTF moment. If this is not addressed in real-time the student gets knocked off track for all that follows. This is handled quite easily in class and near impossible on-line.

Having said that ... understand this. No one (UoP, Stanford, USC, Harvard, whatever) can "give" you and education. If you want an education, you have to grab it and take it! If you internalize the information then your education is as good if not better than anywhere else.

UoP is an accredited college, just like the one I taught in. The head of our Accounting dept had a UoP Masters. Their units transfer anywhere.

In general I am not in favor of "For Profit" models for education, healthcare and water / wastewater. But what the heck, this is America and everything revolves around the $$.

Response by CPL Jay Matney made May 6 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-05-06T14:15:41-04:00

I am graduating this weekend from Liberty university located in Virginia. They offer many benefits to military active and vets. Tough but we'll deserved.

Response by SrA David Holland made May 6 at 2015 5:34 PM

2015-05-06T17:34:04-04:00

I am currently going to AMU and I am very nervous on how the private industry will view my degree. I have been working in Defense for the last 5 years after separation but I need stability and a change of career.

I know AMU is properly accredited, but that doesnt mean anything if the hiring manager is biased against them. I am hoping its not all a waste of my time and benefits in the end. The class work is not too difficult, but I rarely have found any class to be difficult.

I would love to hear from people in the private sector that have had success with online only schools. I have heard of nothing but bad pertaining to university of Phoenix. Some places I have heard wont recognize that school even though it is accredited.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 8:59 AM

2015-06-09T08:59:55-04:00

When considering schools there are questions to be asked an considered:

- What is the quality of your investment? Is the school credible in the outside world?
Check out where the school falls in placement to other schools across the country. Take this a step further and look at the degree program that is offered through the school and where it places with competing schools. This is to include online programs. It's also interesting to evaluate the graduation rates of these schools.

- Is this cost effective? GI Bills are guaranteed money to these schools. Schools claim to be veteran friendly but are they really?
Just because a school offers Yellow Ribbon does not make it military friendly. Each Yellow Ribbon program is different. Some school contribute heavily into the scholarship. Other's not so much. How many slots does the school have? Will the school be able to accommodate you when you're ready? Does the school offer a TA Match? Does the school have a dedicated POC that can assist you with these benefits?

Research these questions my friends.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 3:02 PM

2015-08-06T15:02:39-04:00

In the early 1970s, long before the internet the University Without Walls concept began--a few colleges and universities began offering credit for course taken elsewhere and various tests with little or no residency requirements. They accepted courses and gave credit based on the American Council on Education Guide to the Evaluation of Education and Experience. The clamor from other schools was very negative, allegations of diploma mills, etc. That didn't happen. A fellow named Dr. John Bear wrote a book outlining available programs, and accredited institutions took off. Chief among them was the University of the State of New York ,which later became Regents College Degree Program/Regents College; today it is named Excelsior College. We had some 4,000 grads this summer with 400 on campus. Many earned degrees up to master's level on line. I was a young E5 in the 1970s with 170 SHrs and no degree. In those days you could get an Army 2 and 4 Year equivalency, which I did. I went on to earn an AS degree in 1977, a BS in 1984, and then a Masters Degree from Norwich University in 1988. The BS Degree lead to a concurrent commission as an Army Captain and promotions to Sergeant Major. Today, I am a proud member of the Excelsior Alumni Leadership Council--and invite you to find out more at Excelsior.edu.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 12:53 PM

2015-09-23T12:53:56-04:00

Is it better to get a MS in leadership or a MBA? Who would you hire over the other and why?

Response by SMSgt David A Asbury made Feb 11 at 2016 11:37 PM

2016-02-11T23:37:49-05:00

How did feel about finishing your degree while active duty and not having student loans to pay and how is it a plus?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2016 8:42 PM

2016-02-13T20:42:09-05:00

AMU , University of Pheonix, but you have to make sure that it's regional accredited. If you was to transfer then your credits can transfer as well.

Response by SSG Daniel Miller made Feb 13 at 2016 8:42 PM

2016-02-13T20:42:52-05:00

I would go with an established state school that has an online curriculum. More and more of the private colleges (University of Phoenix, DeVry, etc.) Are becoming increasingly more scheisty. Just double check accreditation levels before eyou choose, so you know if the degree will be worth anything.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Feb 13 at 2016 8:45 PM

2016-02-13T20:45:31-05:00

SSG John McCammon here is a link that might be helpful!
http://www.nonprofitcollegesonline.com/worst-for-profit-colleges-and-universities/

25 Worst For-Profit Colleges and Universities

Nonprofit Colleges Online is, at least in part, a website that was created in the wake of much bad publicity that came to surround online education due to the exploitative and fraudulent practices of some for-profit colleges and universities which came to light after a series of investigations in 2010. These scandals, which brought much […]

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2016 8:46 PM

2016-02-13T20:46:41-05:00

The University of Phoenix Will not be covered by TA. I completed my Bachelor's Degree with Post University. They are a great school and one of the top business schools.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2016 8:58 PM

2016-02-13T20:58:31-05:00

Columbia Southern University and UMUC

Response by SFC James Young made Feb 14 at 2016 1:06 AM

2016-02-14T01:06:23-05:00

The link that shows the worst 25 for profit schools (good guide) also lists the best online schools by program. The school I went to, Thomas Edison State College made both BBA and MBA lists.
http://www.nonprofitcollegesonline.com/rankings/best-online-mba-programs/

Thomas Edison is a good school, they do have proctored exams though.

I did my Masters at Excelsior College for my Masters of Science in Management. This school is knocked mainly by the Sergeant Major crowd because Excelsior kind of panders to the US Army Sergeants Major Academy a little bit. If you actually take the classes like I did, you will learn a lot of stuff. Oh and I got a good career after retiring as well. I was one of 13 hired out of 100 interviewed and about 400 applied.

Best Online Master’s in Business Administration: Students Before Profits Award 2014-2015

Our Students Before Profits Award was created to promote nonprofit colleges and universities offering online degree programs that put students before profits and education before the bottom line. For our 2014/2015 Online Master’s in Business Administration award winners, we selected […]

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2016 10:03 AM

2016-02-14T10:03:44-05:00

I went to American Military University, really likes the flexibility and classroom. Very user friendly and really good online library.

Response by SGT Eric Flores made May 31 at 2016 10:00 PM

2016-05-31T22:00:29-04:00

On-line programs depend on the capacity and willingness of the student to succeed. The future is here, we live in a world that we cannot afford the time to attend a mortar and brick school. The majority of military members joined the armed forces right after high school or after attending some degree awarding program through a military academy or university therefore once in you immediately start your working careers. Yes, unfortunately, you will find individuals that are not engaged or come across as you say “idiots.” There’s a lot of that everywhere we go. We just need to be selective and engage only with the student that demonstrate both expertise and knowledge. I’m an excellent example of on-line schooling and a product of both the academic and military environments. I did not have the time to attend a brick and mortar school and as a working adult and while on active-duty I had to work hard to earn my degrees. On-line schooling is not a joke, and believe it or not you will work harder than the typical full-time student. I would certainly recommend my own University Colorado Technical University. However, this is like shopping we go to the market and spend time evaluating the product we will buy before we make the final decision to buy. With that said the prospective student must understand his current circumstances, work, no college, or college, then he/she must know where he/she aspires to be in the near future. I would say, that it all depends on the program of choice, once you know what you wish to do and what you want to study it would be a matter of selecting the right university. Degree programs from Associate through Masters, one can attend on-line. A Doctoral degree depending upon the institution will mostly be resident or hybrid programs. Hybrid programs require you to complete classes on-line but certain times a year you must attend a residency between 4 to 7 days at the university. To close, the key to the success of all on-line degree programs are the rubrics.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 10:32 AM

2016-06-06T10:32:44-04:00

I attended American Military University. My professors for my major and concentration were actively employed in federal government. They were all engaged! I did hear from students that, in other classes, they did not have a favorable impression of their professors. Can anyone that attended any college or university system, online or brick and mortar, claim that all of their professors were engaged? My wife has a PhD through traditional university. and her feedback to me regarding AMU was that I was required to do more work than she did in her undergraduate program.

Every week I was required to complete the assignment, post my impression to the class (with citations), respond to a minimum of two other classmates posts, and answer any questions from my professor and classmates before 2359 on Sunday. This is in addition to the formal papers that are also due. (Wikipedia was not allowed as a source.)

Lastly, my university uses TurnItIn, an automatic plagiarism engine that sources the paper, posts a report, and then submits the paper and report to the professor for review. Students were not allowed to re-purpose their previous work in other classes (this was considered self plagiarism, which many believe is nonsense). Many universities do not require students to filter papers through a system prior to submission. Allowing the purchase or reuse of prior work.

I feel I received an excellent degree with excellent professors (it was not a diploma mill). If you want a better grade or seek to gain knowledge, an individual's effort, regardless of the professor's engagement, is most important to reaching ones goals!

I attended college full time (2 classes every eight weeks) and completed my degree in just over two years. Something I could never have accomplished through night school.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jun 17 at 2016 10:18 AM

2016-06-17T10:18:06-04:00

Scrolled through about half of the responses so far and surprised to not see University of Southern California mentioned. They have a large online offering and a proven track record of working with the military. I received my Masters from USC back in the days when they actually sent professors from campus out to military installations. Of course this was all before online courses, but the coursework was exactly the same as what resident students took. Have to imagine that this is how USC runs their online programs now. I think the point mentioned by many to stay away from for profits and go with an accredited college/university that meets your needs is wise. Seems like all major colleges have online programs today, so select just as you would if looking to be a resident student.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2016 5:45 PM

2016-06-24T17:45:29-04:00

I have had a mixed experience with online learning. I took one class with University of Phoenix back in 2003, basically the advent of online learning, and it was a horrible experience and stopped with them. It took me until 2007 to go back to school and attended Franklin University in Columbus, OH in the online format and they were just fine. My schedule did not support me attending that college as they were not as military friendly. I started with AMU and finished an AA in General Studies and a BA in Criminal Justice. I was fully challenged, however, there were some DUMB people in class. I would have liked to have seen grades for everyone else, but AMU did prepare me for graduate level writing. I am two classes from completing my Master's of Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University. I took in class and online classes and the online format was more difficult than the in class sessions. I am now enrolled in an Army funded Masters in Higher Education Administration and it will be a blended program as well. You just have to find the degree you want from a brick and mortar institution that offers online learning formats. If they don't have a sports team.....walk away.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2016 10:03 PM

2016-11-23T22:03:31-05:00

Having no personal experience in this venue, I quickly dismissed it when it first came out. I have noticed program changes over the years. I am happy to have gone the traditional route myself.

Response by PO3 John Aldrich made Apr 14 at 2017 5:40 PM

2017-04-14T17:40:16-04:00

That can be a tough question, CPT. Stay away from guidance provided by magazines and online ads that tout “top online this” or “top online that.” Most of these are paid advertisements where schools “pay to play.” Also, talk with other service members, like you are doing right now, and listen to their experiences. I see a little “for profit” vs. “not for profit” arguments below and I can tell you from personal experience, don’t judge a book by its cover. The biggest difference between a “for profit” college and a “non-profit” college is tax status. That’s it. For profit institutions are tax paying institutions. That is the biggest difference between the two. The best advice that I could give you is to look at the schools accreditation. It really is the bottom line. If you are still on AD, stop by your installation’s base education center. They can provide support and guidance. Best regards,

Response by Sharon Lee made Oct 20 at 2017 4:22 AM

2017-10-20T04:22:38-04:00

Park University On-line