Posted on May 21, 2015
What do you think? "U.S. News Releases the 2015 Best Online Programs for Veterans"
7.58K
63
19
12
12
0
I am currently in attending a traditional education program to obtain my EdS, and then PhD, but much of my classes are online. Until recently (this degree program), all of my post secondary education was in a traditional classroom setting. When I started my current degree program, I was initially intimidated in the online arena, as it was not familiar to me. But, once I got used to it, I really enjoyed them as I could work them around my schedule. Online classes are a great choice for Service Members and all of us.
Education matters, so what programs would recommend? Not recommend?
Education matters, so what programs would recommend? Not recommend?
Posted in these groups: 
Education
Education
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
5
5
0
Just make sure that any school you are considering has REGIONAL accreditation. While "national accreditation" or "international accreditation" may sound good, they are not... All the schools you have heard of by watching sports (Notre Dame, Stanford, Syracuse, USC, Clemson, LSU, Texas, etc) all have regional accreditation. If you go to a school that does not have regional accreditation and then want to go on and further your education, a regionally accredited school will not accept your degree.
(5)
(0)
MSgt Jamie Lyons
Well said MAJ Scharff! I have been trying to teach that to anyone who goes to school especially my brothers and sisters in arms. National Accreditation schools love to target military members for their TA money and essentially give them a worthless degree. I am glad someone else mentioned that before I could. Well said sir....
Jamie
Jamie
(4)
(0)
SFC Mark Merino
AMEN MAJ Michael Scharff !!!!! Colleges are like used car salesmen. "You only asked if we were accredited." That can mean that they are accredited by the international house of pancakes. Make sure you ask the right questions.
(3)
(0)
COL Charles Williams
Thanks MAJ Michael Scharff good insight. I knew accreditation mattered, but not the various forms. I also know that there are some that are less than credible.
(1)
(0)
MAJ Michael Scharff
Here's a list of the regional accrediting organizations and the states they are responsible for... so if the school you are looking at is not accredited by one of these... avoid it - it doesn't matter how inexpensive it is or as SFC Mark Merino stated what the used car salesman says, avoid it.
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as schools for American children in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges - Educational institutions in the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
• Northwest Accreditation Commission for primary and secondary schools and Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) for postsecondary institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Educational institutions in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Islands, as well as schools for American children in Asia.
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as schools for American children in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges - Educational institutions in the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
• Northwest Accreditation Commission for primary and secondary schools and Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) for postsecondary institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Educational institutions in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Islands, as well as schools for American children in Asia.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
Don't make my mistake. When I was on active duty, I was obsessed with finishing a masters and the only 100% accredited online degree was in health psychology thru NCU. I can't land a job to save my butt. It didn't lead to licensure so it might as well be an associates in underwater basket weaving. Now, the VA doesn't pay for retraining or continued education past the masters level. Anyone need a basket weaved underwater? That is just my issue, please don't think I am bashing NCU or online schooling, just do a good job researching your POST military plans. Getting a degree looks great on your records, USING your degree after you retire is another story.
(5)
(0)
2
2
0
I was attending University of Phoenix (both online and traditional classroom) but had to drop out because life happened.
When I am ready to go back to school, I'm going with WGU, because they offer IT certifications as part of their degree path. And it's completely online.
When I am ready to go back to school, I'm going with WGU, because they offer IT certifications as part of their degree path. And it's completely online.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google