Can an online degree help advance your career?

[Marc]

Can an online degree help advance your career?

One thing to think about: A common assumption is that online schooling will be cheap. That assumption is wrong.

 

[Martin IT]

I live in Italy and here the online degrees aren't very common (I don't know anyone who has gotten an online degree), so I can't answer to this question!

However I'm considering getting an online degree, but I've got the same dubt: will it be useful for my carrer?

Any personal experience?

 

[Rivenbark22]

Since everything now days is going online, I think it can also be beneficial. I started my LSAT Prep Courses online and I am doing very well in it. I am positive that I will be able to score well this time as it is going to be my second attempt. I am sure you will get your answers here.

 

[Michael_M]

I was thinking about going back and upgrading my AAS to a BS but after getting the information and the costs, it was not worth the time/effort at my age. After getting the tuition costs and doubling the total for books, lab fee's and other 'hidden' expenses that always seem to exist, I would have to earn an extra $10,000 a year to pay the costs off in 10 years (interest, and other fee's).

Only 1 college class I have taken was transferable so it basically becomes a full 4 years again and I already did a 2 year degree (it took me 5 years because I was working).

If I was not nearing 50, the expense might be worth it but, assuming a loan over 10 years, I would not see any tangible benefit until age 61 or 62 (47 +4 years +10 years)

 

[Randy]

I was thinking about going back and upgrading my AAS to a BS but after getting the information and the costs, it was not worth the time/effort at my age. After getting the tuition costs and doubling the total for books, lab fee's and other 'hidden' expenses that always seem to exist, I would have to earn an extra $10,000 a year to pay the costs off in 10 years (interest, and other fee's).

Only 1 college class I have taken was transferable so it basically becomes a full 4 years again and I already did a 2 year degree (it took me 5 years because I was working).

If I was not nearing 50, the expense might be worth it but, assuming a loan over 10 years, I would not see any tangible benefit until age 61 or 62 (47 +4 years +10 years)

$10,000? You should look deeper, there are accredited schools that cost much less

 

[RoxaneB]

I was thinking about going back and upgrading my AAS to a BS but after getting the information and the costs, it was not worth the time/effort at my age. After getting the tuition costs and doubling the total for books, lab fee's and other 'hidden' expenses that always seem to exist, I would have to earn an extra $10,000 a year to pay the costs off in 10 years (interest, and other fee's).

Only 1 college class I have taken was transferable so it basically becomes a full 4 years again and I already did a 2 year degree (it took me 5 years because I was working).

If I was not nearing 50, the expense might be worth it but, assuming a loan over 10 years, I would not see any tangible benefit until age 61 or 62 (47 +4 years +10 years)

Go look at the EdX platform. I've taken a lot of courses from there which have supplemented my education and experience. They also offer MicroMasters programs which can then be used to transfer into Masters programs at those schools if you want to go that route.

 

[Jen Kirley]

Some respectable "brick and mortar" universities are offering online degrees. The diploma does not necessarily let on the nature of the structure. My Masters were both hybrid: half in-person, half online.

 

[Whiskey]

I feel like online degrees are more relevant now, so I thought this was worth commenting on.


Is online schooling cheap?
- Not necessarily, but it depends where you're getting your certificate or degree from. Some universities still charge out-of-state fees, while others remove this for online-only students.

What kind of time do you have?
- lectures vary from place to place. Courses designed for working adults tend to have due dates, but no set hours. Other courses may have live interactions and require you to be present for those, as we've seen recently with Zoom lectures this past year.

Are you disciplined?
- Boy, let me tell you that it's so much easier putting online learning off than it is forcing yourself to go to class in person.

Can it help you advance your career?
- If you do your research, I don't see why it couldn't. I took an internal auditor class via live online lecture recently and it worked just fine for my purpose. At the end of the day it all depends on what you're expecting to achieve and whether the program suits your needs.


Personally I am almost done with my Master's in Emergency Management, and it has been all online since day 1 (as in pre-COVID).
In fact, the majority of Em. Mgmt. master's programs are online or hybrid, it was difficult for me to find many in-person options.

On the other hand, if you are pursuing a science degree that requires labs, you will find that labs will have to be done in person for obvious reasons.

 

[Ed Panek]

I received my BSBM in 2010 after not being able to attend brick and mortar classes. It has helped me in my current career.