Your Questions About Business Online Degree Programs

Jere answers:

Hi there,

I work with a few colleges that offer Business Administration degrees online
As far as the programs we offer, lectures are accessible 24/7. Lectures are audio and visual lectures. It is nice b/c you can pause, rewind, or fast forward your lecture.

You would typically have a due date for assignments – most of the time the assignments are due on the weekend by midnight. You would have access to completing the assignments before the due date, which would free you up for the rest of the week or you could get a head start on next weeks assignments.

We normally have students complete 1) weekly textbook readings 2) reading discussions 3) a test at the end of the week. This also varies from class subject.

We also offer students assistance from the student services department – they check in with you weekly to make sure everything is going well with the online courses.

Online classes are a bit more accelerated than ground classes. Those who are independent learners would do well and succeed in an online environment.

Jere answers:

There are tons of online programs. I personally attended traditional and online-only schools, and I have taught for various online schools and traditional schools over the last five years. All are accredited and solid programs. Schools tend to vary in price, so we could say online schools are more expensive, but that is relative. Of course they are more expensive than a community college, but less expensive than Harvard. The price range varies.

The key is to find a program that is fully accredited. Is it worth it? YES. My career has boomed since my MBA at nearly 5 years ago. I am close to finishing my PhD through distance education, and I am at the job that I want. I know I wouldn’t be here without the education. If you are looking at work in the U.S., then you need a school that is accredited and recognized by the Dept of Ed. I can give more info on that later.

You should market yourself and not the degree or university. There are many traditional universities offering degrees that can be earned through online methods. Distance Learning Alliance has a list of these traditional online schools. Look at that if you are truly concerned with the name of the school. Good luck on your search!

Jere answers:

Recent academic research tells us that it is not online vs traditional but instead all about the reputation of the college awarding the degree. Online coursework is nothing unusual these days, almost everyone teaches online and at many you can complete all of the courses in a degree online.

The question employers ask is whether the school is accredited (and by who) and what’s the reputation of that college.

Education degrees online are plenty. They are second only to business majors. Communication and journalism isn’t as common but is available.

You want to explore all of your options and not simply those “as seen on TV” programs or the paid ads on your Google search. Look for programs like these:

UMass http://www.umassonline.net/Home.html
Florida State http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/online/
Oregon State http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/
SUNY – http://www.oswego.edu/academics/continuing/index.html
Montana State http://www.msubonline.org/

Maybe even the State U in your own state.

Remember though – journalism gigs want to see some actual journalism experience in addition to the degree. You have to get both. Offer to do some PR/News Release writing for some non-profits in your area to get your foot in the door and get some print credits you can show off.

Jere answers:

Take a look at Ashford University. This is the school I have chosen and I love it! Also, you could definitely achieve your Associates first if you would like. An Associates is mostly your General Education classes which would be the first part of your Bachelor’s degree program anyway.

Jere answers:

Here’s the breakdown on the degrees:

Associates – (2 years (times are traditional)
It is a degree generally awarded by community colleges and junior colleges. In bachelor and above granting universities it is given upon completion of credit equivalent to the first two years in a four-year college or university.

It basically, a little better than a high school diploma. For psychology specifically, you won’t be able to do much. I have a BS in Psychology and I was able to work at a counseling organization, but not counsel. Since then, I’ve moved on to my MBA and PhD in business. That’s another story.

Bachelors – (2 more years)
It is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a specific course or major. This is the traditional college education. If you have a Bachelors, you can say you graduated college. Personally, I can’t stand it when someone says they have graduated with an Associates (it’s just half way).

With a BA or BS in Psychology, you may be able to assist in a little more hands a person who counsels. You still need more education to be giving people advice on their personal lives. I didn’t want such responsibility, so I decided to advise people on their business instead.

Masters – (2 more years)
It is an academic degree awarded for completion of a postgraduate (or graduate) credit courses dealing with a specific and detailed subject. Depending on the career field, this is a necessity. It also separates you most cases from those with a Bachelors degree; and if you can do it in a few more years, why not. A Bachelors alone is becoming not enough in many fields.

You usually work on your Masters after starting your job related to your degree. In many states, you can counsel with a Masters, but generally under supervision during certain number of years and you usually have to have a state certification.

Doctorate – (3 more years)
A doctoral degree is granted at the completion of extensive academic work in a particular field of study. There are three types of doctorates: research/terminal, (first) professional, and honorary. The PhD is a research intensive program, while other doctorates focus on the topic without as much research methodology involved such as the EdD for Education, DBA for Business, and PsyD for Psychology.

This is the terminal degree, basically the last one because as I say jokingly, if I go for another one, my wife will terminate me. Really, it is the highest level of education. With a doctorate in psychology then you will be able to counsel on your own.

Other – (vary)
There are state and national certificates to earn in many fields as well as Continuing Education Credits to ensure that you maintain updated in the new field information. There are also very specific topic oriented Graduate Certificates that you should earn in other to show your counseling specification and specialty.

You should first of all, review your goals, personal and professional. Make sure that the school that you are going to offers the programs that match your goals. Do not settle. There are many programs that are similar, but you have to make the ultimate decision. Do not let be based on finances and length of program, but the fact that when you are finished or near finished you will be able to assume your proper place in the career field sought.

I hope this has broken down the educational degree system a little for you. You should market yourself and not the degree or university. There are many traditional universities offering degrees that can be earned through online methods. Look at that if you are truly concerned with the name of the school. Good luck on your search!