Crim Degrees...Yes Online

[SHAACTION]

First, it is o.k to gain your education online. It is actually a convenient way to earn your degree while you gain working experience.

Second, who would know your degree is online? The smartest thing to do is get a online degree from a "real" institution, i.e Troy State, Oklahoma State U., Auburn University, NYU and even Boston U has an online criminal justice degree. Your degree won't say Master of Science from Troy St Online, it'll say MS Criminal Justice, Troy St or the university.

Last, the only way it isn't really recognized or it's frowned upon if it is a strictly online degree, where no headquartered institution exist, such as Phoenix university and the other online programs. Everybody know these are strictly online. Don't get fooled by the online degree thing. Even Penn St has an online degree program for MBA's, Finance and some other interesting degrees. These are reputable institutions, top 100 in the nation in some cases. Go to www.petersons.com or www.usnews.com and you'll find all the information regarding e-learning and distance learning.

[Kimble]

Last, the only way it isn't really recognized or it's frowned upon if it is a strictly online degree, where no headquartered institution exist, such as Phoenix university and the other online programs. Everybody know these are strictly online.

Some of the information you posted is accurate, but the above-quoted portion is not. University of Phoenix has on-ground campuses, too. The important thing is accreditation. If they're regionally-accredited, you're good (this is the accreditation all major state universities, as well as several well-known "online" colleges like University of Phoenix and Kaplan University, have). If it's nationally-accredited, many (if not most) employers will recognize it, but other regionally-accredited schools will not if you plan to transfer credits.

I mean no offense by this, but please be sure you know what you're talking about before posting in an open forum, as you will be corrected if you disseminate inaccurate information.

[Joeyd6]

Last, the only way it isn't really recognized or it's frowned upon if it is a strictly online degree, where no headquartered institution exist, such as Phoenix university and the other online programs. Everybody know these are strictly online.

While I too agree with most of what you said, this statement is just not well thought out. Just because a school is all online does not mean it is a degree mill. If it has DoE AND regional accrediation, it has met the same standards as all other schools.

Phoenix...American Military, American Public, Northeastern, etc... are all online and have a GREAT reputation. Read teh yearly Newsweek that lists the best colleges, including a section on on-line schools.

[K-9MALY]

I finished my B.S. online from Park University, which is on 32 different DOD military installations in the CONUS and offered at all USAF overseas commands. The main school is in Parkville, MO and has been around since 1875.

When I do my M.S. which will be with AMU, its going to be online as well. Good points about accuracy from the other guys too! Gotta be dead on when giving out that type of information, lots of people rely on it.

[madsnax]

What about schools that are accredited through the same agency that accredits Phoenix online - that give you degrees based on your work experience? Such as Almeda University .. St. Edwards University also offers degrees based on work experience.

A guy I know was applying for an Engineer position at my company, but the position required a degree, which he didn't have (Just lots of work experience).. So Human Resources pointed him to Almeda, where he obtained his degree in a month and was hired. Almeda says they're accredited..

This would be perfect for someone like me, that has worked for several years in a highly technical/specific industry. How I landed this job is another story, most of the people I work with have a degree or a strong military background.. I got lucky! :D

This is what the Almeda web page says about their accreditation:


COUNCIL FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION ACCREDITATION (CDEA) has a commitment to high quality educational values, customer service and business practices. The services of CDEA are specific to international open and distance universities, colleges, schools and private institutions.

The Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX): The Association for Online Academic Excellence is a private, professional accrediting association that provides employers with a resource of acceptable college degrees attained through non-traditional means. The colleges and universities that gain accreditation by AOAEX strive to produce qualified degree students that meet or exceed those of more traditionally accredited universities.

Interfaith Education Ministries (IEM) provides certificates of measurement and evaluation of educational and professional credentials and practices of traditional, nontraditional, religious and other online and distance education programs. IEM, founded in 1965, is listed in the UNESCO Higher Education Institutions Registry (HEIR) under United States of America. UNESCO is the Educational Arm of the United Nations which is recognized by the Departments of Education of all countries members of the Lisbon Convention, including the U.S. Department of Education . UNESCO is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Would hiring Police Departments regard this as college?

[Kimble]

What about schools that are accredited through the same agency that accredits Phoenix online - that give you degrees based on your work experience? Such as Almeda University...

Would hiring Police Departments regard this as college?

I've already written a thorough posting on accreditation and diploma mills, so look here for more information: http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=45668

Would a PD accept a degree from an institution like this? I wouldn't count on it. You may be able to slip through the cracks, but this is NOT a regionally accredited degree, and though the verbage seems to indicate it's nationally accredited, further review of the accreditor's website proves otherwise:

"Interfaith Education Ministries IEM is a Private Religious Global Membership Organization, therefore it is not and does not seek recognition of CHEA, the US Dept of Education nor any governmental approvals of any country. Informational links to CHEA and other organizations is provided to visitors but does not in any way imply recognition."

Here's the accrediting agency's website were I pulled this quote from: http://interfaitheduministries.org/index.html

[Kimble]

St. Edwards University also offers degrees based on work experience.

St. Edward's University is a legitimate REGIONALLY-accredited school: http://www.stedwards.edu/seu_profile.htm (look top-right for accreditation info).

I've said this before, so again, a search would benefit you, but many schools offer "work experience for credit" programs. There is a BIG difference, however, in offering some credit (the school I work for full-time offers up to 25% of your credits to be transferred in via approved, verified work experience), as opposed to an entire degree from work experience.

[SHAACTION]

Some of the information you posted is accurate, but the above-quoted portion is not. University of Phoenix has on-ground campuses, too. The important thing is accreditation. If they're regionally-accredited, you're good (this is the accreditation all major state universities, as well as several well-known "online" colleges like University of Phoenix and Kaplan University, have). If it's nationally-accredited, many (if not most) employers will recognize it, but other regionally-accredited schools will not if you plan to transfer credits.

I mean no offense by this, but please be sure you know what you're talking about before posting in an open forum, as you will be corrected if you disseminate inaccurate information.

Though I agree with some things you said I don't agree with the fact that University of Phoenix has on-ground campuses. When I said on-ground campuses I meant such as an NYU or Devry. Phoenix "contracts" any area they teach out of. They use certain office bldgs, community colleges and even military installations. Yes, you can say these are campuses but not in the traditional since. If you look up the address of the campuses you'll see Suite xx, something to that effect.

Last, yes accreditation is important but the institution is just as important. If somebody comes to you with a degree from Phoenix which everybody knows is derive mostly online or through contracted facilities and somebody comes to you with the same degree from St. Johns U....who looks more attractive. No offense to anybody using phoenix but I'd advise that you find a "brick" institution that offers online learning. There are plenty. Oklahoma St University, UMASS, Boston U, FSU, plenty out there.

[SHAACTION]

I finished my B.S. online from Park University, which is on 32 different DOD military installations in the CONUS and offered at all USAF overseas commands. The main school is in Parkville, MO and has been around since 1875.

When I do my M.S. which will be with AMU, its going to be online as well. Good points about accuracy from the other guys too! Gotta be dead on when giving out that type of information, lots of people rely on it.

....Yes and I am one of those guys who rely on this information. There is nothing wrong with an online degree....but there are institutions, traditional institutions that offer the same types of degrees with no distinctions. Your degree won't say online...it'll say Penn St., though you received it from Penn St World Campus which is a online degree program. That is all I'm saying. Don't read into this too much. I'm not pulling info out of my butt, I'm talking from experience and advice I've received from a number of law enforcement, business and educational professionals. I have my MS and it was through an online program, but from a traditional institution. That is all I'm saying. And I'm going back to get another MS.

lata

[DetSarg1]

What is the total cost for a BA or BS degree from a college like Pheonix or these other online schools?

I know they are convenient but I have heard that they can run $25,000 or $30,000 for a bachelors degree. That just does not seem cost effective for an undergraduate degree in a social science like criminal justice.

[SHAACTION]

What is the total cost for a BA or BS degree from a college like Pheonix or these other online schools?

I know they are convenient but I have heard that they can run $25,000 or $30,000 for a bachelors degree. That just does not seem cost effective for an undergraduate degree in a social science like criminal justice.

Sir,

All do respect if you want a good education you have to be willing to pay money. 20K to 30K is nothing nowadays compared to the avg cost of tuition. You have to apply for Fin Aid, get grants even take out loans (Staffords). Most of my friends graduated with 60K in the hole, my wife is one of them. I got lucky with scholarships and the military for my undergrad but not everybody is lucky. What you have to think for yourself is the fact what will it be worth in the future. 20-30K? I know people who would love that.

[mxwelch]

What is the total cost for a BA or BS degree from a college like Pheonix or these other online schools?

I know they are convenient but I have heard that they can run $25,000 or $30,000 for a bachelors degree. That just does not seem cost effective for an undergraduate degree in a social science like criminal justice.

My brother is working on a IT AS degree from Phoenix and it's costly, about 13K compared to my 6K at a local CC and from what I've seen they don't cover the material as thoughly.

[DetSarg1]

Sir,

All do respect if you want a good education you have to be willing to pay money. 20K to 30K is nothing nowadays compared to the avg cost of tuition. You have to apply for Fin Aid, get grants even take out loans (Staffords). Most of my friends graduated with 60K in the hole, my wife is one of them. I got lucky with scholarships and the military for my undergrad but not everybody is lucky. What you have to think for yourself is the fact what will it be worth in the future. 20-30K? I know people who would love that.

I appreciate your stance but must also, and respectfully, disagree. I know tuition costs have gone up since I graduated college in 92, but the total cost of my tuition was less than $6000 for a bachelors degree.

Current tuition rates for state universities in Florida are approximately $3492 per academic year. For four years that equates to $13968. Since the first two years can be completed at a community college, where tuition is less, one can assume that that cost would actually be lower.

To spend $30,000, $40,000 or as you noted $60,000 on a bachelors degree, especially for a career in law enforcement, is simply not cost effective. Most state university systems offer some sort of night, online or other programs geared toward working adults, even cops.

Student loans only compound the cost of higher education. I contend that most people who work full time in law enforcement, like me, should be able to cash flow the cost of a class or two per semester thereby avoiding student loans. It's either save up and pay for the class now, or pay for the class AND interest on the loan later.

I know I have cited tuition rates from Florida but I would venture to say that most state university systems and community colleges offer completive rates for tuition.

I'll admit that there is a convenience factor to straight out online programs like those offered by private colleges, but that convenience comes with an excessively high price tag.

[Kimble]

Though I agree with some things you said I don't agree with the fact that University of Phoenix has on-ground campuses. Phoenix "contracts" any area they teach out of. They use certain office bldgs, community colleges and even military installations. Yes, you can say these are campuses but not in the traditional since. If you look up the address of the campuses you'll see Suite xx, something to that effect.

If it quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, and swims like a duck, it's probably a duck. Regardless of what an individual's definition of "on-ground campus" is, the fact of the matter still remains that U of P has on-ground campuses, which you acknowledge. Regardless if it's a large university campus or suites in an office building, it's still classes held in a classroom rather than on an online website. On-ground is just that (i.e. not "online").

Last, yes accreditation is important but the institution is just as important. If somebody comes to you with a degree from Phoenix which everybody knows is derive mostly online or through contracted facilities and somebody comes to you with the same degree from St. Johns U....who looks more attractive. No offense to anybody using phoenix but I'd advise that you find a "brick" institution that offers online learning. There are plenty. Oklahoma St University, UMASS, Boston U, FSU, plenty out there.

While I would agree that traditional brick and mortar instituions carry Name Power that helps employers to know the quality of the education, the fact remains that U of P (and many other online degree programs) have been proven to be successful, both in obtaining students and in providing them with a high-quality education that employers recognize. You personally may not agree with this, but the hiring rates of graduates with online degrees shows this is the case in the vast majority of cases. When this does not occur, it is usually due to the degree not being from a regionally accredited insitution (rather than the fact that it was obtained through online education).

[SHAACTION]

I appreciate your stance but must also, and respectfully, disagree. I know tuition costs have gone up since I graduated college in 92, but the total cost of my tuition was less than $6000 for a bachelors degree.

Current tuition rates for state universities in Florida are approximately $3492 per academic year. For four years that equates to $13968. Since the first two years can be completed at a community college, where tuition is less, one can assume that that cost would actually be lower.

To spend $30,000, $40,000 or as you noted $60,000 on a bachelors degree, especially for a career in law enforcement, is simply not cost effective. Most state university systems offer some sort of night, online or other programs geared toward working adults, even cops.

Student loans only compound the cost of higher education. I contend that most people who work full time in law enforcement, like me, should be able to cash flow the cost of a class or two per semester thereby avoiding student loans. It's either save up and pay for the class now, or pay for the class AND interest on the loan later.

I know I have cited tuition rates from Florida but I would venture to say that most state university systems and community colleges offer completive rates for tuition.

I'll admit that there is a convenience factor to straight out online programs like those offered by private colleges, but that convenience comes with an excessively high price tag.

Great post man! You have a great point. Thanks for the flip-side