I am thinking of preparing for a career change, and have talked to dh about going back to school. My kids are almost 16 and 10, and I am 43. But I work full time, and don't want to cut back to PT because of the benefits. I live in a rural, small town, and the closest university offering classes in what I want is 45 miles away. It would be difficult to do this. So I was looking at an online "university," like the University of Phoenix, which offers what I want (public relations), but, of course, there's the self-discipline thing, and the not being in the classroom thing, but I wonder most of all if an employer would look at a degree like that and consider it legitimate. Any opinions?

By Kittycat_26 on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 01:20 pm:

I'm currently working on my Bachelors through an on-line program. I can tell you from my research that University of Phoenix is expensive. Many colleges do offer on-line degrees and I'm sure there are more in the wings and coming.

University of MD is the school I am going through currently.

I can tell you that my boss and I are currently hiring for three positions. He could not care less about where your degree came from. His concern is whether or not you have one.

By Boxzgrl on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 01:31 pm:

I did my schooling online and quite honestly I don't think I got as much out of it as I would have had I been in a classroom. It really is about self discipline though. That's the first thing I learned.

By Tayjar on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 01:39 pm:

I work at the big insurance company in Bloomington. You probably know the one. The University of Phoenix is one of the approved online colleges they will pay tuition for. And yes, we have a ton of people who take online courses and get their degrees that way.

You may also check Western Illinois University. There are quite a few people here that take some sort of a program through them. Not sure of the particulars but I know they don't have to "attend" classes there.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

By Heaventree on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 02:35 pm:

I think it's becoming more acceptable. Why don't you call a few HR departments in the industry that you are thinking of going into and ask their opinion?

You mentioned self-discipline, for me personally I would prefer to do my degree on my own. When I was in school, I had one prof. who read from the text book for an hour and would not allow any questions during class. A complete bore! I certianly did not need anyone to read the text book for me. I went to the first class before mid-terms, went to my examines and the follow-up class for my mark. Good thing attendance didn't count towards my grade.

Anyway you are either self-disciplined or you are not. I doubt that it would matter whether or not you had a class to attend. I think you just have to make the decision to buckle down and do the work, keep your eye on your final goal.

Good luck.

By Janet on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 02:54 pm:

Oh, these are such good comments..thanks! Dora, thanks for the additional info about your company. Yes, I know the one! LOL Amanda, thanks about the tuition info. I'll look into it further.

By Reds9298 on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 04:10 pm:

My only thoughts are that it's expensive, but if it's convenient it might be well worth it. I looked into doing my Masters online and it was twice the price of just going to class. Plus, I agree with Melissa about getting the most out of it when you're actually *there*, BUT...I'm a super nerd. Always in the front row!!!

Good luck making your decision!

By Luvn29 on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 04:28 pm:

I am currently taking all of my classes on-line. My courses are Distance Learning courses through the local college here, but basically the same thing...

I love this. I could not be getting my degree if I had to go into the classroom. Yes, you have to be extremely self-disciplined and keep yourself to a schedule so you don't fall behind. But I am learning just as much on my own as I would with a prof in the classroom.

All of my profs teach distance courses and on campus courses, and said that it is definitely harder to take courses on your own because you have to pick out what is important and you don't have a prof telling you exactly what you need to remember and learn and when to do what.

I say, go for it! You'll be extremely happy you did. I just finished my first semester, and have gotten 3 of my four grades back and I am proud to say, all have been A's!!!

By Reds9298 on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 09:40 pm:

I just want to add that if it's more convenient for you and works out the best, definitely go for it regardless! All you really need is that diploma...no one will care if you were in the classroom in a future job interview

By Mrsheidi on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 10:42 pm:

Can your employer reimburse for your degree? I would look into that.
DH is getting his continuing education online and it's quite difficult to find a good one.

BUT, it's what's convenient, and to be quite frank...tuition alone should be good enough incentive to motivate you. Who wants to pay thousands to sit on their butt and not do anything?

Go for it.

By Kaye on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 10:48 pm:

Another option to consider is looking at a degree plan for what you want to do. Do you currently have a degree? What exactly degree do you want, who has that degree, will they let you transfer in credits? If they do a JR college has a lot of distance learning classes, for MUCH cheaper, so if you need to take intro psych, or sociology, etc, then you can do those a cheaper route. Also you would know if that learning style would work for you. I recently took 7 hrs via jr college, it cost about 500 dollars.

By Mommmie on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 12:05 am:

I work at a law firm and they do not recognize distance learning degrees or distance paralegal certificates.

I have a bachelors degree in public relations. It's a tough field! My first job in the late 1980s was at the largest PR firm in San Diego and I made minimum wage, got no parking and it was downtown. I also wrote for a newspaper (since PR is essentially journalism) and made $1 for every inch I published. I was very poor! I left the field after that. I felt like it was legalized lying. So many women want in the field. I have also heard that companies are getting rid of or downsizing their PR departments. PR people have a hard time justifying what they do and how they add to the bottom line. There's nothing quantitative about it. Smaller companies don't have the money to retain an agency. I'm not sure there is much future, growth, in the field (but I admit I have been away from it for awhile). The firm I worked for in San Diego closed last year.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 07:03 am:

Janet, Most colleges offer on line classes/degrees now, so you could broaden your search. My sister and my BIL both have gotten their Bachelors through a college down in Columbus, all their classes where on line. It is an accredited college. Because of the way things are in our society ("everyone" working, life so busy) a lot of people are having to use this option to further their education. I know that several of the kids teachers are taking courses on line to get their Masters.

Are your credits from your current degree transferable? Did you look into the school you got your degree from and see if they offer on line classes? I took classes at a local college last winter and they offer on line classes once you have your Associates.. Their credits are also transferable. I would start by looking into those two things..

The company my dad works for/ major company... Allows their employees to use the University of Phoenix by the way and they reimburse so much of it.

The only thing about on line... My sister said that it is much harder than in a class room. They do a lot of scheduled chats, meaning you have to make time to be there as it is a part of your grade. And then she had to make sure she paced her self on the syllabus because she found herself not getting things done until the last minute at first. Group projects were also harder... Because everything was done through emails and chats, so if someone didn't show up then their input wasn't given. She said it was more difficult then sitting in a classroom. Just not the same, when you have a teacher/professor standing there going through things or available right when you need the help..

By Bobbie~moderatr on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 07:05 am:

And I can not believe your children are that old... By the way.

By Debbie on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 08:28 am:

My dh got his degree through an on-line/distance learning program that was offered at one of our local university. He paid the same price as any other class at the university(it was paid for by his employer). There were a few classes that he had to actually attend, so he went at night. His degree does not distinguish that he did most of his studies online. I would check with some of the universities in your area, a lot are now offering programs like this.

By Feona on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 12:29 pm:

Might be even better if you get a regular college that offers online degrees also as others suggested. Then no one will know the difference.

By Janet on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 03:41 pm:

Bobbie...LOL! I can't believe my dds are that old, either! (I certainly haven't aged)

By Pamt on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 03:52 pm:

Janet, I would second the others who suggested looking into older established universities who ALSO offer distance learning programs. Distance learning is becoming very legit, but personally The University of Phoenix seems to me like a pay-your-money-get-a-degree kind of program from the ads I've seen and the little I know about it. I'm sure there are other schools with higher accredidation that are offering what you want.

FYI, I took one online class for cont ed through The University of OK and it was very challenging and I learned a lot. We had weekly readings and had to post comments and discuss the readings throughout the week on a discussion board like this one. You had to actively post and stick to the topic as part of the "classroom participation" component of the grade. Then we had group projects. There were 2 other people---from GA and MN---in my group and we set up a time each week to dialogue and work on our project. It was a very different way to learn, but I did learn a lot and think it can be a very good way for those in rural areas to get a degree.

You know that I'm a huge fan of you going back to school anyway. You are such a talented writer and I'll be cheering you on!

By Kittycat_26 on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 08:28 am:

My classes have been similar to Pam's. We had to post on a bulletin board to group discussions on top of the "normal" classroom activity.

You need to be able to teach yourself to a degree though so alot of whether it will be successful or not is how you learn. If you are the person that has to hear something to understand it, then an on-line class is going to be difficult.

Also, with on-line classes, you need to have the ability to step up and ask questions when you don't understand something. The professor does not have the advantage of seeing you in class and reading your body language to see that you don't "get" something.

There are good points and bad points. Good luck to you either way.