Posted on Mar 15, 2015
What are the best online degree programs for the military?
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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?
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?
Education
Bachelors Degree
Master's Degree
Associate Degree
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 168
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Bloomberg did a piece that is informative
http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/magazine/content/10_02/b [login to see] 366.htm
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?
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CPT (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see), sir, thanks for the article. I'm also curious about your Yale tag - would you mind talking about which BOP (assumption) got you there, especially on a doctoral track?
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LTC (Join to see)
The Army sent me to get my MBA at Wharton (2006-2008) and to Yale for a PhD (2014-2017) so that I can teach at the Academy - fully funded in resident education under the Advanced Civil Schooling Program. If you're not aware of the program, it's worth checking out on the HRC homepage. CPTs who have completed KD jobs can apply to the different USMA Departments as 3-year rotating faculty members, or to become Functional Area 47 Officers.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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CPT (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see), you hit on a point that others have mentioned. It makes absolute sense to ensure you at least look into the credit a school might offer based on your experience - whether that's through direct transfer, CLEP'ing, etc. Might help save money to focus on the interesting stuff. Thanks, Eron.
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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.
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CPT (Join to see)
SGT Leon Brimm, if you're looking for options, this thread has directed my to Arizona State. They aren't the most expensive - nor the cheapest, but they've got a ton of options with good ratings and appear to be pretty vet friendly. Good luck in your search.
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SGT Leon Brimm
Thank you Captain. Ill be sure to look into that. Arizona State is a quality school I am for sure.
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I currently go through Colorado Christian University and Southern New Hampshire University. Both have been pleasant experiences.
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CPT (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see), I had looked at SNHU in the past - looks like a great program. What are you studying through them?
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MSG (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) I am currently enrolled in a MS in Marketing degree program with SNHU. No complaints so far.
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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
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SSG Jamil Spruill
I think they wait till you start the actual classes related to you degree to take exams. I'm in school for BA of Business Information Systems and English, Math and all that don't truly interest me the computer knowledge is what I care about most. All my other classes are discussions, essays, chapter quizzes, and assessments
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CPT (Join to see)
Haha, that feels tricky, but looking back at it, I never did take any exams for my master's. You just wrote for days; it felt like the most brutal of exams.
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CPT (Join to see)
I had a few courses with exams. I also graduated from Ashford. They were few and far between. Most of the time, a paper would take the place of an exam.
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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
Good question
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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......
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CPT (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see), just looked up UL. They give military over a 50% discount putting it right at TA rates. That's a pretty sweet deal. Good luck with FIT.
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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.
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.
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