Online Grad Degrees - Major Schools

[snizo]

Some schools don't differentiate between online and normal degrees. You can get a Masters of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech through the internet, and your degree will be exactly the same as if you were actually there.

Of course ... if you can make it through the #2 US aerospace program without a TA to live with, you deserve whatever recognition you can get.

 

[Gatordev]

@IRFly:

Thanks for the correction.

 

[Thisguy]

Some schools don't differentiate between online and normal degrees. You can get a Masters of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech through the internet, and your degree will be exactly the same as if you were actually there.

Of course ... if you can make it through the #2 US aerospace program without a TA to live with, you deserve whatever recognition you can get.

That's a good point, but online programs are much more limited, so they're not always going to have what you want.

As for the cost of online MBAs, 40Gs (total) may seem like a lot to shell out for IU's online program, but seeing how a lot of full-time programs are going to run you 30K/year while you don't have a job, it's not that bad.

To illustrate, my brother is currently going to UCLA business school, and the first year ran him 33K, and the 2nd year will be 23K since he established CA residency. Factor in living expenses while not having a steady income...you get that idea.

When you compare the costs, online MBAs are economically viable

 

[navyboyfriend]

What about as far as advancement is concerend with the Navy. I remember people explaining that if you want to make a certian rank then you need advanced degrees. Is this really the case or just the standard answer people put out? Also will the Navy care if you obtained your degree through online means? Thank for all the info.

 

[dP]

Some schools don't differentiate between online and normal degrees. You can get a Masters of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech through the internet, and your degree will be exactly the same as if you were actually there.

Of course ... if you can make it through the #2 US aerospace program without a TA to live with, you deserve whatever recognition you can get.

Seconded (and the program extends beyond the Aerospace department). When I went through Ga Tech for EE, all my classes (and some ME classes) were taped. Distance learners had the option of watching the class online or having a cd with the lectures sent to them. It was quite convenient in class, as all notes were on camera and projected on several large screens around each room. Professors were available via telephone or email during the business day to help support the non-Atlanta based students. Distance users were required to take trips to the public library so a proctor (librarian) could administer test(s) to them.

My gouge is current as of 2002. I'm not sure how the program has evolved in the past few years.

 

[Thisguy]

What about as far as advancement is concerend with the Navy. I remember people telling me that if you want to make a certian rank then you need advanced degrees. Is this really the case or just the standard answer people put out? Also will the Navy care if you obtained your degree through online means? Thanks again for all the info.

When I was in the AMDO community, the word I got at the 9th week of OCS community brief was "If you want to make Captain, get a masters...it doesn't matter what it's in or where it's from, just get it." That's a direct quote, so I think an online master's fits the bill.

Now that I'm in the CEC, all career-oriented officers can do a grad school tour at practically any public institution...no wearing a suit at NPS

I'd think it's different for every community.

 

[mts4602]

So you can actually get an online degree and that's good enough to go to OCS?

How do they even work anyways? I can't see myself being able to learn as well just from a computer, especially something like engineering.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

So you can actually get an online degree and that's good enough to go to OCS?

How do they even work anyways? I can't see myself being able to learn as well just from a computer, especially something like engineering.

There aren't nearly as many options for getting a bachelors via distance learning (online, correspondance, or combination thereof) as there are for masters programs. The learning model for masters programs is a bit different than for bachelors. This doesn't mean those programs aren't out there. It's just that you have fewer options. But to answer your question, the education requirement in order to be eligible for OCS is a bachelors degree. It can be online. HOWEVER, you need to make sure that it's accredited either by the Department of Education; Distance Education and Training Council; and/or one of the regional accrediting bodies.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

That's a good point, but online programs are much more limited, so they're not always going to have what you want.

As for the cost of online MBAs, 40Gs (total) may seem like a lot to shell out for IU's online program, but seeing how a lot of full-time programs are going to run you 30K/year while you don't have a job, it's not that bad.

To illustrate, my brother is currently going to UCLA business school, and the first year ran him 33K, and the 2nd year will be 23K since he established CA residency. Factor in living expenses while not having a steady income...you get that idea.

When you compare the costs, online MBAs are economically viable

That's actually a very good way of looking at it. You're out of pocket a helluva a lot more money if you go to school full time (i.e. no job) than if you pony up the cash for the degree while on active duty. Or, you can do what I'm going to do and use the GI Bill....

 

[Thisguy]

How do they even work anyways? I can't see myself being able to learn as well just from a computer, especially something like engineering.

That's probably why you won't see an undergraduate online engineering program (not accredited anyway). At the graduate level you can get away with it because most engineering programs require a BS in an engineering field.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Indiana University and Duke University both offer REAL on line MBAs...Duke is quite expensive

Duke doesn't offer an online MBA

 

[TheBubba]

Or, you can do what I'm going to do and use the GI Bill....

Anyone know of any other options on how to get the Navy to pay for a masters (besides NPS) as some of us don't have the GI Bll.

 

[greysword]

Many online master degrees require the student to be working in the field of the degree given (engineering, business of some sort, etc). This allows the university to assume you have a certain core application knowledge to bring to the course, and if you are an engineer in your daily job, then the engineering work online is not as big of a deal (for example).

As for Norwich, their program is unique in that they have a set track that one class follows the whole way. Unfortunately, they told me they won't have a thesis track available anytime soon, because of a lack of demand. Instead they have a testing out degree. I would need the thesis to get into a PhD program, I think. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[TheBubba]

Greysword,

My wife is also running into an issue with Norwich's online masters and getting a PhD at another school. She's thinking about getting her master is military history from Norwich, and her PhD from one of the state schools in Washington (providing i select Prowlers out of here). Yesterday, she found that the school in Washington won't accept distance learning degrees for their graduate programs... even if its an accredited program from a nationally recognized school.

 

[IRfly]

Yeah, Norwich's all look like "taught" Master's rather than research-based programs, which usually are needed for Ph.D. research. But many Ph.D. programs (depending on the field) will only admit you into a Master's program and then you'll advance to Ph.D.-student status once you've shown that the quality of your research is high enough to warrant it. My biggest question about Norwich is whether the MAs that they award are respected in the civilian world and not just a punched ticket for military personnel. At any rate, you probably won't find a better place/deal to punch that ticket...