Posted by Jeff Davis on April 17th, 2009
Not only am I considering earning another online degree, I’ve already started on one. Once I completed my online Bachelor’s degree program, I told myself over and over that I would not even contemplate a Graduate degree program for at least a year so that I could give my mind a rest and take a much needed break. However, it didn’t quite work out that way. I finished my online education in April and by November, I was eager to start school and start learning again. Well, here I am smack dab in the middle of a Master’s degree program and of course, it’s another online program. I wouldn’t have it any other way, especially since I already know that a traditional school wouldn’t offer me the flexibility I need for my hectic schedule.
After looking at some various options as to which program was right for me and which online school I wanted to attend, I came to the conclusion that the school from which I just graduated, seemed to provide me with the best opportunity for meeting my overall goals in the long run. I am now approximately halfway through my Master’s degree program at the University of Phoenix and am starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel (or it could just be my eyes playing tricks on me from being so tired). I am looking forward to graduating in about 6 months now and being able to utilize what I’ve learned into my professional career.
I don’t feel that I have done anything different this time around than in my online undergraduate degree. However, I do notice that there seems to be more work involved and is therefore taking up more of my time each week. So, for those of you who may be considering embarking upon the journey of obtaining a graduate degree online, listen closely. There is work involved, just as if you were going to a traditional school. My best advice for anyone considering returning to school to pursue another degree in the online environment is to do your homework and comparison shopping wisely in order to get exactly what you are looking for. I am noticing more and more traditional schools coming online with their degree programs each and every day. I can imagine that it won’t be long before the majority of all schools offer the traditional classroom environment or the online classroom environment for all students. In fact, they may have to do this in order to compete for students because the online enrollment is growing by leaps and bounds.
Posted by Jen Zeman on April 16th, 2009
In the fall of 2008 I considered, and was ready to begin, a graduate degree online with the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. The master’s program was in Liberal Studies and at the time I felt this was the direction I needed to go in. I felt I had completed enough research to know whether graduate school was the right choice and that Liberal Studies was the program for me. As soon as classes started, fear and loathing consumed me. I started questioning whether starting graduate school now was really right after all and suddenly I felt like I wouldn’t be able to handle it. Not a good way to start a semester – I was setting myself up for failure. After much consideration and discussion with my husband and with myself, I decided to drop the classes and withdraw completely.
In deciding to withdraw, I took a hard look at my reasons for beginning graduate school online. I hope the lessons I learned will be helpful to you when deciding to pursue a graduate degree:
- Carefully consider the reasons why you are doing it. A lot of career fields do not require a graduate degree. Do not feel pressured to obtain one just because others around you have one (i.e. do not think of it as a status symbol). If you feel pressure from others to obtain a graduate degree, you will be miserable in the process.
- Graduate school is expensive, even if your company offers some sort of tuition reimbursement. If a graduate degree isn’t necessary to get you where you want to be, think about whether the debt you will accumulate will be worth it in the end (i.e. will you recoup the money?).
- Graduate school consumes a lot of time. If you think earning your bachelor degree online was a lot of work, multiply the workload by at least two.
For me an online graduate degree is not completely out of the question. But when considering it next time around, I will spend no less than a year researching the right program; lining up adequate funding; and I will make sure I truly have the time it takes to make graduate school a rewarding experience and to make sure I do well at the same time.
Posted by Sharon Cece on April 14th, 2009
Tofu is not for everyone.
Now that I have your attention, I’ll add this: sushi is not for everyone either, but some people do love sushi. Others, on the other hand, would very well live well without sushi and instead prefer a hot, juicy steak with potatoes. Still others (like myself) love tofu, sushi, steak and potatoes. Now, who’s ready for dessert?
Along with celebrating my healthy appetite, I’m using food metaphorically to illustrate that some students enjoy attending school online, yet it may not be the right fit for everyone. Similarly, attending college in the traditional sense–on campus–might be a great choice or it might be a hardship for those looking to pursue a degree.
It would be helpful if we had a template for determining online and traditional campus populations, but in the absence of such templates there are guidelines that can help students gauge which degree-seeking method would be an ideal choice:
- Lifestyle Your daily life routine is a good starting point to determining whether online college is a better alternative to attending college on campus. For example, if you’re single and attending school full-time and want to be in the thick of college life, attending college on campus would be a great choice. However, if you are married, working full-time and caring for children or older family members, you will undoubtedly benefit from the time-saving flexibility of online classes.
- Social Disposition Those who are shy, socially-reserved, or who prefer working from home on the computer might benefit from the liberated platform of online learning. Keep in mind, some socially reserved students would benefit from the social atmosphere of campus life, for it would challenge one‘s comfort zone and widen their experiences–all good. However, a student with a healthy social life who performs better academically without social distractions might find online options to be an excellent choice. Gregarious and socially active individuals who love being out in public and interacting with other classmates and friends may naturally want to consider courses on campus.
- Level of Autonomy If you’re the type of student who needs strict order and scheduling, set class times and guided formats, then traditional college venues would be recommended. Students who are adept at making and adhering to their own schedules, who prefer being independent in course work and course submission, will do very well online.
- Computer Skills Both online and traditional courses utilize the computer; however, online courses operate exclusively from the computer.
- Organizational Skills Organization is fundamental when taking classes online. Since the student is, for the most part, scheduling their own coursework regulation, class and testing times, and content review, a self-structured and self-imposed schedule is necessary for online success.
There is a third option; that is, to do both–attend school on campus and take a few courses online. This way, you get the best of both worlds and, like me, you can enjoy sushi and steak. Just don’t forget the dessert.
At age 54 I am not in the market for an online degree. I am more interested in updating my skills, even as I edge toward age 55, the first year I am eligible to retire from Wisconsin public education. In the spirit of keeping up to date I have enrolled in a five-course program to become certified as an e-learning educator. The courses are all available online from the University of Wisconsin—Stout, located in Menominee Wisconsin. I have looked nationally for a program, which would teach me how to teach online, and I found it in my own backyard. I pass by Menominee Wisconsin once or twice a year when I travel north to see my relatives. The first course is this summer.
I will take the courses one at a time as not to overwhelm myself, while teaching full time and tutoring students after school. Hopefully when I finish the sequence I can retire and make a living online. Online education has not quite evolved for students at the middle school level, but I want to be ready as the opportunity will be here soon.
The only thing I am concerned about now is paying for the courses while I finish paying for my daughter’s degree. She says she is going to be finished in December and I reminded her that after five years (this is 41/2 for her) I will not be contributing to her college education. It is a subtle form of “dangling the carrot” so hopefully she will finish and graduate debt free from college.
I have so enjoyed my online course work I can’t imagine anything should be changed. I blossom in the online environment. This is because the written discussion format gives me time to read, ponder, and formulate an intelligent and more complete response. Vocal discussions in on site classes do not offer the time to really research an answer.
