Pondering college...

markzab

Hey guys. I've been thinking about trying to obtain a college degree from the online University of Phoenix. I'm a bit too old to be able to go to normal classes and this school and online setting seems like it would be perfect for my lifestyle. I figured a Bachelors degree in the IT field could only help me grow. And I'd sure as hell make my mother proud...even at the age of 27.

I just went to their site and saw that these were the BA programs available (online):

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Information Systems Security
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Multimedia and Visual Communication
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Software Engineering

I'm not exactly sure which one I would go for, but probably the security one. I took a look at all the classes for each of these degrees and it seems like programming is a major part of these. I guess they focus on that the most. Sucks too because I'm not that interested in programming at all. Oh well, what can you do.

Has anyone ever done this before? Online schooling I mean. Also, if anyone is familiar with any of these courses could you give me some info? Was it fun? Thanks.

seuss_ssues

I have no experience with a full fledged online university. I have however taken several courses online through a traditional university.

Check the forums and google around for Phoenix and you are sure to find alot of positives and negatives around it. It will be up to you to decide if it is right for you or not.

JDMurray is currently getting a masters from an online university and he seems to have done quiet a bit of research about them.

royal

Here is a thread where several of us were discussing online univerisities. It's also great that you are planning on attending universitieis. 27 is definitely not too old. When I went to college, there were 40+ year olds attending trying to do a career change, or even trying to get their first degree. As I always say, it's better late than never. Good luck on this life-changing endeavor and let us know how it goes.

Here's that thread:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20036

markzab

Thanks foir the link to that other thread guys. I just took a look at WGU's security curriculum and noticed that their assesments are based on passing actual industry certs (A+, Net+, Sec+, etc.). I don't know if I like this or don't. I mean, I could do these things on my own. Wouldn't employers feel that my bachelors wasn't really up to par since I was just passing certs that people in the business pass every day?

seraphus

I have to say:

Don't go to Phoenix. You'll pay a lot of money
for a school bound to loose their accreditation, and your
BS will be... well, BS!

Not to bash anyone else, but UoP has been discussed here before:

http://www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=21609

I have to applaud anyone considering going back to school.
Hell, I did it myself, and graduated undergrad last year from
a traditional school (NCSU). I'm now at Strayer working on an MBA
(which is accredited, and UoP's isn't :P ), so I know what it's
like from both perspectives. I do recommend online degrees.
However, consider the ranking of their accreditation, and if their
acceptance requirements are up to your standards or not.

At least if it is accredited, you can always transfer.

Good luck, &

Paul Boz

I'm still in school but I feel like an old man in all of my classes, because I've been working 40 hours a week since I was 18 (to put myself through school and be independent, etc). Let me tell you right now that you are NEVER too old to go to a formal college. Look past the insecurity of being the old guy in class and think about how far you're putting yourself in front of the field by giving the initiative to be in school. I go to parties and live an otherwise normal college life on the weekends, but from Monday through Friday I'm that old guy in class - only I'm 22. If you can't do formal school due to your social situation (wife, kids, 9-5 job) I understand completely, but don't let the age barrier be what keeps you from your goals. You're never too old to improve yourself.

markzab

It's not age at all. I could care less about that. It's the wife and work barrier like you mentioned.

Damn man, I thought UoP was supposed to be like the best online U out there. Hell, Shaq graduated from there. So tell me, what is the most accredited online school out there...regardless of price.

seraphus

Probably this one!

http://www.extension.harvard.edu/DistanceEd/


I am not really sure, to tell you the truth. I initially planned to
attend a traditional Grad school, but found that 1) I need to
make money, now, and 2) the online schools were less
expensive (23k versus 50k for my choices). This isn't the
case for UoP, or even Strayer, undergrad programs. The prices
are astronomical.


Check your local instate colleges. Many are beginning to offer
online programs, and you get the advantage of having a
stronger name on your resume to boot.

For instance, I plan to go here for a second masters:

http://www.ecu.edu/options/degrees.cfm

I'm guessing (Florida, is it?) would have something similar...

deneb829

University of Phoenix cost a fair amount of cash. While you can probably get financial aid, you might want to check out if the university system in your state ... wait, you live in Florida - I am sure there is an online program available that you can look into. Do you have any college at all?

markzab

deneb829 wrote:

University of Phoenix cost a fair amount of cash. While you can probably get financial aid, you might want to check out if the university system in your state ... wait, you live in Florida - I am sure there is an online program available that you can look into. Do you have any college at all?

Back in the day...way back in like 01/02 I was working towards my associates at my community college in PA. I think I actually even worked up 30-40 credits. I just sent an e-mail to someone at Temple. Back then they had a program where your community college credit would all transfer. I sent an e-mail if their IT degrees could be done completely online. I highly doubt it.

emmajoyce

Ditto,
Its never too late. Im graduating in three weeks. It will be my third degree. I will be 47 when i graduate. good luck

markzab

emmajoyce wrote:

Ditto,
Its never too late. Im graduating in three weeks. It will be my third degree. I will be 47 when i graduate. good luck

Love the avatar.

deneb829

markzab wrote:

Back in the day...way back in like 01/02 I was working towards my associates at my community college in PA. I think I actually even worked up 30-40 credits. I just sent an e-mail to someone at Temple. Back then they had a program where your community college credit would all transfer. I sent an e-mail if their IT degrees could be done completely online. I highly doubt it.

If you're going for an academic degree, you might want to look at transferring those credits wherever you decide to do college. That should knock a year or more off of your degree program.

seraphus

markzab wrote:

deneb829 wrote:

University of Phoenix cost a fair amount of cash. While you can probably get financial aid, you might want to check out if the university system in your state ... wait, you live in Florida - I am sure there is an online program available that you can look into. Do you have any college at all?

Back in the day...way back in like 01/02 I was working towards my associates at my community college in PA. I think I actually even worked up 30-40 credits. I just sent an e-mail to someone at Temple. Back then they had a program where your community college credit would all transfer. I sent an e-mail if their IT degrees could be done completely online. I highly doubt it.

Perhaps worth a look...

http://oll.temple.edu/
http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/online/

sir_creamy_

"Sucks too because I'm not that interested in programming at all"

Then a degree in CS is not what you want because that's all you'll be doing for 4 years.

oldbarney

markzab wrote:

It's not age at all. I could care less about that. It's the wife and work barrier like you mentioned.

Damn man, I thought UoP was supposed to be like the best online U out there. Hell, Shaq graduated from there. So tell me, what is the most accredited online school out there...regardless of price.

Stay away from UoP. Not only is that school expensive, it bears the brunt of numerous jokes in some circles. If you are in Florida, consider the following online programs for about 1/3 to 1/2 the price:

University of West Florida has two online IT-related programs:

http://onlinecampus.uwf.edu/Programs/undergrad.htm

University of Central Florida has one IT program via streaming video - Information Systems Technology

http://online.ucf.edu/programs/programs.htm

St. Petersburg College offers a BS in Technology Management online

http://www.spcollege.edu/bachelors/techm_main.php

If you require an AA or AAS, Brevard Community College has an IT degree online. Look for the virtual campus.

http://www.brevard.cc.fl.us/

I'd also recommend WGU. Just stay away from UoP.

elover_jm

Just stay away from UoP.

Damn is this university that bad.......

I saw so many cable Ads on about this University, thought tht would have meant somtin

Paul Boz

markzab wrote:

It's not age at all. I could care less about that. It's the wife and work barrier like you mentioned.

Damn man, I thought UoP was supposed to be like the best online U out there. Hell, Shaq graduated from there. So tell me, what is the most accredited online school out there...regardless of price.

Huh? Shaq graduated from LSU, where I go.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2000/12/15/shaq001215.html

deneb829

Here is an ad for an online university, you'll have to sit through some of the cartoon to get to the commercial, but it sums up some of the online university choices out there - worth the wait.

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail155.html.

oldbarney

Shaq indeed earned his bachelors from LSU. From my understanding, he attended summer sessions and took classes through distance learning. By the way, LSU offers some of the least expensive undergraduate distance learning courses in the USA - $229 per course.

Shaq also earned an MBA from UoP.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/25/AR2005062500974.html

elover_jm: In my opinion, UoP advertises to the point of market saturation. It's all about perception. UoP may not necessarily be a bad school, but their aggressive recruiting practices, substandard pay for adjuncts and shareholder-driven model make them appear goofy in the eyes of many. They have assumed the role of the proverbial "800 pound gorilla" in education.

My best recommendation for online or distance learning, especially for undergraduate, is to find a program in your state offered by a traditional "brick and mortar" institution. Many HR people could care less so long as the school holds regional accreditation. On the other hand, branding is very important and some employers certainly care.

chomberg

I got my BS in Information Science at 53. My daughter got her BA the week before. You're never too old for education. Go for it.

markzab

Paul Boz wrote:

markzab wrote:

It's not age at all. I could care less about that. It's the wife and work barrier like you mentioned.

Damn man, I thought UoP was supposed to be like the best online U out there. Hell, Shaq graduated from there. So tell me, what is the most accredited online school out there...regardless of price.

Huh? Shaq graduated from LSU, where I go.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2000/12/15/shaq001215.html

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/cgi-bin/news/newsbrief.plx?id=2239762072&fa=1

/usr

From the same article.

"Someday I might have to put down a basketball and have a regular 9-to-5 like everybody else."

Makes you wonder how legit his degree really was.

drakhan2002

Don't go to an unaccredited school - UoP I do not believe is accredited. If you're set on a online school, consider Capella University. I am finishing my Masters there (JD goes there as well). It is fully accredited.

Capella can be found here: http://www.capella.edu

petedude

drakhan2002 wrote:

Don't go to an unaccredited school - UoP I do not believe is accredited. If you're set on a online school, consider Capella University. I am finishing my Masters there (JD goes there as well). It is fully accredited.

Capella can be found here: http://www.capella.edu

I hear good things about Capella, but it may be a bit pricey for some.

UoP is accredited, but it is not without its fair share of detractors.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/education/11phoenix.html?hp&ex=1171170000&en=493a1472b9b25bc1&ei=5094&partner=homepage

http://www.onlinedegreereviews.org/college/university-of-phoenix-online-campus/

A buddy of mine went there for a while, then transferred to Chapman College. Didn't tell me why, but I imagine he wouldn't have changed schools without good reason.

A good resource to look at potential schools is www.degreeinfo.com.

mgeorge

I actually teach part time locally at a small community college that offers MCSE/CCNP courses. Since your in florida im sure you could find somthing that does this... Besides most of my students are at least 5-10 years older then me lol

being as im only 20 >.< my average student is about 32 or so wanting a career change or what not. I guess all i can say is look around and see if any local community colleges offer night classes and these types of courses.

markzab

mgeorge27 wrote:

I actually teach part time locally at a small community college that offers MCSE/CCNP courses. Since your in florida im sure you could find somthing that does this... Besides most of my students are at least 5-10 years older then me lol

being as im only 20 >.< my average student is about 32 or so wanting a career change or what not. I guess all i can say is look around and see if any local community colleges offer night classes and these types of courses.

Im not looking for NP courses or certs at all. I'm looking for the opposite actually. I'd be looking for a college degree, not a cert program like I saw in the WGU school. Tech certs I can get on my own. College degree, unfortunately, I need college for that, lol.