Let's talk online universities....

[waggy]

I think you miss out on A LOT by getting an online degree. Even part time is better than online.

maybe when you are young. but as an adult with limited time they are great. any education is better then none. Just because you have a degree and a job does not mean you should stop getting education.

not saying you need to take high level math, science etc. There are plenty of classes that are good to take.

 

[highland145]

Yea, I guess I can understand that. Perhaps that's why I want to get into counseling. I very much enjoy listening and helping people. As a person, its kinda what I do.

Only working 25 hours a week, does she get paid decently? Was it worth it to her? And does she just have a masters? Sorry for so many questions, I just really appreciate the insight.

She has her masters and ~12 years in it. $25/hr via a non profit. She could work more but I'd have to put her on suicide watch. Also could go out on her own and make better $$ but then she'd have to deal with the insurance filings/liability ins...

It's worth it to her, helping people. Sometimes it just sucks. I know she would not trade her masters. 2 years for that and then 1 year under a supervisor to get licensed, ymmv. Continuing ed hours every year too but those can be in a wide range of study. Last year she had one where the program used horses with the clients.

There's another guy in town that charges $75/hr in his own practice.

Ask away. Glad to help if I can.

 

[sourceninja]

My brother in law is currently working on a "Software Engineering" degree at University of Phoenix. I have a BS/MS in Computer Engineering from a state school, so I know engineering coursework well.

His is a joke. No math or physics for starters (so it's instantly not a real engineering degree). I would have thought that being "Software Engineering" they would be learning about software lifecycle processes, design, Java or equivalent programming, etc. There is none of that. It is more focused on web development. HTML, some database stuff and a little php. I feel bad for him because he thinks he's going to jump into a job developing smartphone apps when he finishes school, but he will have never actually written any real code. I keep telling him to start learning Objective C and/or Java on his own time, but he keeps saying that work and school takes all his time....

WGU seems to be different. It's only my wife's first semester, but so far the material looks solid. As an example, the networking class she is required to take (She is going for Business—Information Technology Management) requires here to pass a Microsoft Networking certification (I think it's Exam 98-366). A quick look at their CS (with software emphasis) program seems to include requiring a few MS essential certs in web development, networking, database and systems administration as well as a+/network+/security+/project+/ certification. It also seems to require you to get the Java Standard Edition 6 Programmer Certified Professional Exam (1Z0-851). Overall it looks fairly robust.

Of course their target is not high school kids, it's working professionals looking for degrees to improve marketability or expand on existing skill sets. Someone like my wife who already works in the IT industry and just wants a degree to help her move into higher paid management roles.

 

[Cuda1447]

After doing a bit more work there seem to be a few good options. The Chicago University of Professional Psychology is accredited, not-for-profit scohol that seems to get pretty good reviews. I am looking at the Industrial Organizational program, which is ranked highly and would give me a pretty good earnings potential once I got out. I figure two years and $35k is worth it if I can continue working in the meantime and have good career possibilities after getting done.

The question is, with a below 3.0 GPA for my Bachelors, do I even have a chance of getting in?

 

[zinfamous]

tons of Universities have online coursework. it's a great thing to add with all the other classes, I think.

 

[kranky]

The question is, with a below 3.0 GPA for my Bachelors, do I even have a chance of getting in?

They aren't in the business of turning people away.

 

[Cuda1447]

They aren't in the business of turning people away.

They aren't? I was of the opinion that you had to prove your worth even more so to get into a masters program.

 

[wiredspider]

My school offers some classes online, but most of the master classes are after work anyway, so 6-9.