Hi everyone . . . long time lurker here, finally registering so I could ask you all a question. I hope this is the right forum, but anyway:
I am 23 years old and have not yet completed my college degree. I had to stop short of getting a degree in mathematics due to various reasons (some of which I don’t really want to talk about, if that’s okay). Now that my life is starting to straighten out again, I’ve found I don’t want to do math anymore. I still want to get a degree, but now I’m leaning more towards computer science or networking or the like.
Unfortunately, I need to hold down a full-time job now, so it’s going to be tough getting back to college. I’m looking at online degree programs from various colleges-- there’s a lot of them offering computer degrees but I don’t know which ones are good and which ones arent.
Anyone here have any experience with online computer degrees? Which programs are good and which ones should I avoid? Is it possible that some of these places could be scams? Anyone willing to point me at a ratings list or something would be really appreciated, as a Google search turns up several thousand different sites . . .
One thing to check before signing up would be how many of your previous courses will transfer into the new degree in such a way that they’re a help. (“Sure, we’ll accept class XYZ for credit and GPA purposes, it just won’t help you fill graduation requirements…”) And, some schools have a minimum amount of hours you have to earn from them in order to get a degree from them. Since you’re planning on switching tracks, it hopefully won’t be an issue for you.
Let’s see, what else… also check to see what their rules are about second degrees. You may be better off finishing off and graduating with the Math degree, then turning around and picking up the CS after that. (Example: where I’m at, if you already have a Bachelor’s and you wish to pick up another one, so long as the State GenEd stuff is done, you only have to worry about the courses for the major.) This could save you a lot of time, or it may not. Really depends on the situation and what that particular school’s rules are.
While I realize this doesn’t really point you towards specific programs, hopefully this will help you narrow things down!
So far, we’ve both had incredibly good experiences. Both offer good courses in computer fields. You’d have to check them out to see if they’re right for you, but I can assure you they’re not scams. (AIU and Keiser, at least). I love the online class format as I can work at my own pace, and it’s a lot of fun to go to class in your pajamas!
I have been a CS prof for many years and now in private industry. I’ve looked at a lot of applicants over the years.
A purely online degree counts as a negative, to me. That means worse than not having it at all. I’ve seen too many folders with fly by night mail order diplomas. People who go for that sort of stuff I don’t want. I don’t care how big or famous the places are, they aren’t the same as real colleges.
There are now many colleges that have online programs for part of a degree. But I would only let it go if it was a really small part. Making sure who is doing the work and other issues just leaves too many question marks that I don’t need. Since there’s a 100 other folders without the question marks, guess what happens.
See ftg, that’s the problem I’m wresling with. As someone that has worked in a technical field for over 12 years now, including being a system administrator for 3 of those, I highly doubt that most colledges BS:IT or CS degrees are going to teach me much at all. On the other hand, a lot of jobs do their first search by applicants with a degree. So I never even make it past the first level of consideration. I think that with a degree, even if from an online university, at least the person reading it will see the expirience that I have, and should be able to give that consideration.
lola I guess I should have mentioned that I’m in the United States. Are you in the US? Does going to a Canadian university online present any problems for you?
Nightsong thanks for the tips. I’ve already heard that it might be easier for me to complete the math degree and then go back for the computer degree, but I don’t know if I could force myself through it. I just don’t like the advanced math as much as I used to.
XJETGIRLX thanks as well, I’ll check out both colleges.
And ftg , I’m sorry that you feel that way about online colleges, but I really don’t see how I’m going to get a degree unless I do it as soon as possible, and I don’t know if I can juggle a full-time job and a full load of classes at a “real” university. I realize this probably makes me a failure in the eyes of some employers, but, well, I’m already a failure because I didn’t finish college to begin with.
Glad you’re liking it, Jetgirl – I taught a class out at Keiser College a number of years ago.
Since the OP was asking about CS degrees, I’ll go ahead and mention that…
I teach in the CS department at FSU (Florida State), and we have a Distance Learning program in a number of degrees. One of them is Computer Science. Many of the DL students I had last term in a C++ class last semester expressed that they were pretty happy with the program, and the online format.
I’m a Canuck, but since our dollary-doo is worth half what yours is, you could possibly save money by registering there. Even if they charged muchos money for out-of-country applicants, it could end up just being even.
If I were you, I’d be looking at individual programs rather than overall online institutions. For example, my U is great for the English courses I’m taking, but if I wanted to do zoology by correspondence, I’d be signing up for U of Guelph’s program. That’s my advice.
Isn’t that the point he’s making? If you can handle a full-time job and a full load of classes at an online university, but you can’t at a ‘real’ university, doesn’t that mean that the degree from the real university is harder to obtain and therefor worth more to prospective employers?
Just because you have not yet earned a degree does not make you a failure. If your circumstances in life will not allow you to attend college, I think it would be a good idea to continue your education in the most structured setting available. That could mean earning an online degree or maybe taking a few classes. It is a good thing that you are willing to put forth your time, energy, and money to advance your education. I am not familiar with the hiring policies in the corporate world but it seems reasonable to think that a resume showing a degree from an established and reputable real-life college, would get more favorable consideration. So what. Work leads to opportunity. Eventually you may be able to get yourself situated so that you can officially go back to school. Until that happens, pursue whatever opportunities you have and don’t consider yourself a failure.
Good luck.
If your employer is willing to accept them or it’s just for self-interest, go crazy. Otherwise, I have heard that (as far as employers are concerned) online degrees aren’t worth squat.
The “accellerated” programs aren’t worth much more–like the ones that say “get an associate’s degree in only 13 months of Saturday courses”. There’s simply no way to adequately cover the material in such a short time, and everybody concerned knows it. Attending an established local community college part-time will do your resume better than either of the latter options.
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I’m personally interested in taking some online classes (like Algebra, basic stuff like that) and then transferring to a local college to get a degree later on. Any online courses that are transferrable?
I’m looking at online degree programs from various colleges-- there’s a lot of them offering computer degrees but I don’t know which ones are good and which ones arent.