Online Degree

[MAN_B]

Hello All, What do employers think of students that earn their computer science degree online? I noticed many schools offering online education, and they make it seem so easy. Im sure there has to be a catch to all of this. ITT Tech, DeVry, University of Phoenix, looks like alot of technical schools are jumping on this online, but what does this mean? Are there other degrees online that employers do take serious? thanks!!

[riyafath]

From my point of view online degree has a significant value. I talked with one of the online consultants from Phonix University. The course is nor about reading books, it about how you understnag the daily life experience. Their course seemed focused on practiacal issue. And these courses are complete depended on thesis. So, the view of online degree is much more different than traditional degree.

And the employer's view towards online degree should also change. Let see what future holds for us.

[raross]

From my point of view they are not taken highly, but again it’s better to have a degree then not to have one. But I recommend going to a traditional school if you have the choice. Not only will you get a better education, but you learn social skills and responsibilities. The downside to these programs is they are not accredited. So this means that the education you're paying for is not up to par. I think to an extent they are taken serious. For instance, a lot of companies require at least a 4 year degree before they even look at you. So this would of course get you passed that stepping stone. But would it look better then the guy who went to a mediocre traditional school? Probably not.

I am interested to see how society handles online education in the future. Even though I think it is a great idea, I believe the majority of the students do not have the motivation to learn, so traditional school forces them to at least attend class and hopefully ideas get molded into the student’s brain. In online education, you might cram before a test, and pass with a D. Did you really learn anything? Again, probably not. Even though this happens a lot even in traditional school, at least you're forced to attend class, so I believe the majority of the students try to make the best out of it. But yeah, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for this type of learning.

[Aspirin]

raross is correct. A traditional college is the best route directly out of high school. The more prestigious and well known the better. If you have to go to a state college that's fine though. If you have to go to a community college and transfer to a state college that's fine as well. Honestly, you'll save money if you do the latter.

Online colleges are a great idea but are not as respected with employers as traditional colleges. As such, they should be a resort for older students who missed/never had the opportunity to go directly to a traditional college but have the experience through years of working hard in their field and want a degree but have to work full time, might be married with children, and cannot afford the time to go the traditional college route. Do NOT use them as an easy way out if you are graduating high school: Go to the traditional college instead.

Ideally, certifications should compliment a college degree not act as a replacement for it.

Don't get me wrong, certifications are useful and cool but if you are young (18-28) you should be full time in college (living at home and waiting tables at night if that's what it takes) getting a useful degree from a traditional college. You can then move straight into garnering certifications if your goal is to work in the computer industry.

Check the statistics. It's about your ability to earn over time and a good college degree combined with certifications and then coupled with experience will get you farther in the end.

[mmorin17]

I know this is an old topic, but I just had a question. I have a 4 year degree from a traditional university in an unrelated field. I am considering a career move into IT. My company will pay full tuition for these online universities. Is it worth the time to get a second BS from a less respected online university, or should I just look at some certifications.

[leje0306]

Online degrees are far less challenging and lack the important social component of the college experience (learning from other students; not just a professor, book or even a computer). Imperical evidence states that students who skip class get worse grades than students who regularly attend (for traditional schools). Many of the students who skip try to learn the material outside of class. Draw your own conclusions.

[jaeusm]

Online degrees are far less challenging

This is an unfortunate myth. For example, the University of Illinois offers an online master's degree in computer science, which is identical to the curriculum offered on its campus. In fact, online students have the same assignments, get the same lectures (video-recorded), and take the same tests as the "brick and mortar" students.

[Kubel]

You should stick with your current BS and get certification. That's what I would do if I were in your shoes. But it depends on the employer. Most employers will look at your resume and see you have a BS and will see you have relevant certification, and will consider you. Some won't even consider you if you don't have certification.

For example, right out of an IT associates degree, my brother tried getting a job with a certain communication companies tech support department. He didn't get in, but a friend with an unrelated associates and with certification was accepted.