Posted on Aug 17, 2015
PV2 Senior Web Designer, Web Team Lead
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I had posted a thread a couple of weeks ago, about going back to school. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/looking-to-complete-my-bachelors-degree-what-resources-are-out-there-for-veterans-and-federal-employees.

Upon asking around and talking to my federal colleagues, I encountered an interesting reaction. I was told to avoid online Universities such as American Military University, Kaplan, etc. I was told that hiring managers don't give folks with degrees from those schools the same weight as a traditional school such as Virginia Tech, Howard University, etc.

Has anyone else encountered this mindset? Has it been a hinderance to you? When I asked this question I asked my Division Director and the Assistant to the Administrator (my agency head). Both of which are PhDs. Is this their mindset or is this true?

Thank you in advance

CW3 (Join to see), SGM (Join to see), 1SG (Join to see), 1SG Michael Blount, CSM (Join to see) 1LT William Clardy, CPT (Join to see) MAJ (Join to see), COL (Join to see), LTC Scott O'Neil
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SPC Brian Stephens
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I found that advice incorrect. I have my Bachelor of Science in Accounting from DeVry in 1995 and my MBA from University of Phoenix in 2006. Devry was not online in 1995, but UOP was.

Employers look for EXPERIENCE over where you went to school. Can you translate the experience you have from the military to a resume and transition that into what they are looking for? Otherwise, my two degrees did not hinder me in the earlier stages of my career but I did not have the accounting experience to get hired until I worked on the fringes for about a year and a half, wrote that up as accounting experience when the company I temped for hired me for my first regular accounting position. Since then, I have taken and passed the CPA exam and attained my FINRA licenses. Watch your costs. Private schools can be expensive but they can also get you a much better education. I actually graduated with 150 credits for my Bachelors program and had a year of Federal Taxation and Business Law which most public universities do not offer as part of a business studies curriculum. Also check alumni networks and Career Services at any college you apply to and check to see that the school has resources and classes to give you the job-seeking tools you need to land a position of your studies in the private marketplace. In my senior year, Devry gave us graduating a 2-credit course, CARD 405. This specifically taught us job skills-the search process, hunting and networking techniques, interviewing, and acceptance. Do not take a class like this online. A valuable part of the class is the mock interview where you are interviewed for a position in class and the class evaluates you and lets you know where you are messing up. In the end, your work product from the course goes to Graduate Placement who blasts your resume across the nation and woos recruiters during your final semester to come to the school and interview you.
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CPL(P) Civilian Driver
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Western governors university wgu.edu is one of the best I can recommend because it's at your own pace, fta pays for this not for profit university and it's regionally accredited in all regions, not just one. Grand canyon university is a great one for PhD. It's cheaper than north central university at about 13k/year.

But at wgu a motivated soldier can earn a degree in six months through dedication and hard work.
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SMSgt Senior Enlisted Advisor
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Online universities are merely the wave of the future. However, think from the perspective of a non-military related individual. With a title such as Amerrican "Military" University, many civilians would hold less value when it comes to determining whether a degree from such an institution would be considered valid or not. Many of the more publicized online colleges will have that effect (to include Kaplan). Personally, I have heard nothing but great things from individuals who attended AMU, but the title turned me away as well.

I eventually completed my undergrad studies with Ashford University which has a B&M campus in Clinton, IA. The online program is ran similiarily to AMU. Since then, I have switched over to Columbia Southern University due to lower tuition rates for graduate studies.

I would advise you to find what fits your needs. You will never be able to prove or validate perceptions on utilizing online learning options. Some hiring managers will simply hold their biases. Look for a school which is both nationally and regionally accredited and hope for the best!
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MSgt Laurie Kline
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I received my Bachelor's from American Military University and feel that it may have been a determining factor when applying for jobs in the Human Resource field. Some online schools are legitimate and have the proper accreditation, but others are just looking to make a dollar from unsuspecting Veterans. This video from PBS Frontline is definitely an eye opener and worth watching concerning the subject. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/educating-sergeant-pantzke/
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Sgt Data Processing Technician
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I went to Brick and Mortar and Online. Online was exceedingly harder and I learned so much more. Why? Because everyone in the class; present company included, was over the age of 30.

No one had to deal with the spoiled 1982-year old child who was not responsible for paying their who tuition. I graduated from Colorado Technical University and during an interview one of the interviewers said, "Colorado Technical University, that's a great school. " He was a Georgia Tech graduated. I got the job at a prominent company.
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PFC Tuan Trang
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It nice to do online if you a single mother, or something prevent you from travel/leaving the house, But i prefer campus style then online, You can meet bew friend, get help with homework if stuck, and campus school are mostly known by career profession then online.
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SGT Jerrold Pesz
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Just for info American Military University is regionally accredited which is as good as it gets. They are totally legit. You can find out a school's status online from any of the regional accrediting agencies, the dept of education and many state education agencies.
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LTC Bink Romanick
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I did some grad work on line thought that it was a great chance to work at home. It wasn't too easy either... Real standards.
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PV2 Senior Web Designer, Web Team Lead
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Thank you LTC Bink Romanick for the comments Sir.
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SSG Bas Ncoic
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I am not sure of your MOS, however Kaplain University has a few wonderful programs designed around MOS's. I have 7 Medics that have achieved their Associates and are now working on their BS.
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SGT Mary G.
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Thank you for the question PV2 Lisa Wilcox.! I have similar concerns and also appreciate the responses.
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PV2 Senior Web Designer, Web Team Lead
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My pleasure. I hope it helps you as well.
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SGT Parachute Rigger
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I can tell you this mind set is real . It comes from all the people who went out a bought online degrees for $1300 to $1800 from schools like Western Advance Central University That holds no accreditation with it's online school with no classes or instructors, calling the degrees life experience degrees. It dose not take much time at all till every one sees it is just a piece of worthless paper . Or that this person is just as phony as their degree is !
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