Online Masters Degree! Are there any disadvantages earning it from online?

Hiya

I work at a university and am about to start teaching some courses online.

I think that if you get it from a good university there should be no loss of status between online and attendance.

One issue i think for most courses is that they online courses are quite new. There will probably be things to iron out and hiccups that people are not sure how to deal wtih. This is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you are a flexible practical person. However for some people such a situation will be too stressful and unpredictable and will undermine the teaching experience.

You may miss out on peer support - ie probably less meeting for coffees and such to discuss work - this can be a big part of academic and social development and networking. However - people will still be in contact by email/web cast and sometimes in these situations all the students will make more of an effort to contact each other and create an academic community.

IT may be easier to carry on earning money if you do the course online - especially if you have family to care for.

I think there are some modules that can be provided very well online and in fact better - especially ones that deal with modern issues or are skills based or practical or vocational.

Howver I think there will be less academic community.

Have a think about your learning style and what it is you want to achieve and what level of support you want.

Yes, unfortunately there is. If I read a resume with UCLA or University of Phoenix... I pass on the Phoenix one. (A lot of people get online degrees from them.) Even though its not "right" to do that. I am a Junior at a Major University and I contemplated taking a more convenient route such as online universities etc.. I just keep picturing how it would look on my resume.... It costs too much money for people to know its an "online" college.

Another alternative... my university has a great mix of online classes. I go to some in person and I take some online. The good thing is that its not labeled an "online" university. Just my thougths.. Good luck!!!

Not a good idea. A masters is something serious and takes time, effort and lots of dedication. I am reluctant to even consider an online degree as most of the institutions that offer these services are not widely known or accredited. Can you imagine that after you have completed your degree and want to pursue your PhD you are told sorry, but those credits are not valid... I would die.

Sure, but it depends on what your getting a degree in, and what your goals are. If you are going to sit with someone like myself and interview (and most other employers like myself feel similarly in this) then you will have a difficult time selling it. To be perfectly honest most younger people fresh out of college do not realize the actual benefit of a degree in someones eyes is not the discipline of the degree, but the traits required to start something difficult (college), to excel in the tasks (GPA), and most of all... to finish what you started (degree). Obviously the degree should be specific to the trade, but in general it is these traits we look for in a candidate. In a physical school the challenges are perceived to be more difficult and so given more respect... if you feel you have had equal challenges you will need to find a way to make sure any prospective employers know this so they can see you have overcome these challenges.

just be sure to check out the college. Make sure the classes will carry over, make sure it is an accredited institution. As long as both of those things are in place....

You'd have to be disciplined. It would also probably be a little more difficult, so start with classes you feel comfortable with and move up to the harder ones.

Be careful... make sure the school is accredited.

Also, remember that graduate school requires a lot of research, data analysis, etc. This sometimes requires one-on-one help from an instructor. Make sure that your school has the online facilities to make this happen so that your grade doesn't suffer.

Yes. The online courses do not allow enough personal interation. The schools tend to have low standards as well.

dis-advantages:

lotsa frauds, even accredited ones r not same as attending classes ...

advantages:

should fatten pay packet

check out returns on investment angle

> nothin better, without actually having 2 slog it out !

yes, lots, more money then just going to college.... its a rip off

friend,brother please beware of online frauds.thanks GOOD QUESTION.