Maxine Said:

Are the online degrees at University of West Florida as good as regular degrees?

We Answered:

I work for UWF and can assure you that our online degrees are high quality. UWF offers over 400 fully online course sections that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as credit-earning certificate programs. I actually received my master's in public administration from UWF and was very impressed with the quality of the online program. In fact, UWF was recognized as a best online graduate school in 2009 by GetEducated.com.

To learn more about UWF Online, visit http://onlinecampus.uwf.edu/. You may also want to ask people about this on UWF's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/WestFL.

Good Luck to you!

Sincerely,
Lauren Smith

Emily Said:

What are the pros and cons of a online university versus a physical campus and their degrees?

We Answered:

Ms Gucci, UoP and Walden are regionally accredited.

Check them here:
UoP: http://www.chea.org/search/actionInst.as…
Walden: http://www.chea.org/search/actionInst.as…

I'm not saying I like either one - just that they ARE regionally accredited and the fact that many people don't like them doesn't change that fact.

The question at hand:
based on my experience - I've done both. Your mileage may vary

ONLINE
Pros: Locational flexibility - you can do your work anywhere you want, any time you want. You can study at colleges across the world without moving there. You save money and time on commuting.

Cons: You MUST be highly motivated and self-directed. Nobody will remind you each day to do your work. You WILL read the textbook, there aren't usually lecturers telling you what the book said. You will probably write a lot and won't do as many 'multiple guess' quizzes. Some subjects are REALLY hard without a teacher right there to help you. Some subjects just can't easily be done online - you need labs or people.

CLASSROOM:
pros: It's traditional (people like that). There are professors and other students around to help with your assignments and to remind you when they're due. It's easier to be motivated when you have to be in place X at time Y every week.

cons: location - you're restricted to studying only what is offered where you happen to be (or where you are willing to go). Time - you must be in class when it's time for class, not when it fits your schedule. Distractions - there are people there that aren't going to pass/graduate and they'd like you to join them. Traffic, cost of gas, parking.

MYTHS:
* Online is easier, cheaper, and/or faster. Not a legit program. It's often harder, costs more, and takes longer.

* You learn more in a classroom. Some people do. The US Dept of Education tells us that you learn more online + classroom, then online, then classroom.

* Employers don't like online. The common example is that "XYZ company won't pay for their employees to go to University of Phoenix (etc)" Reality is that those employers won't pay for that college whether online or classroom - they don't like the college. Most employers have come to realize that online delivery is now normal and that in many positions it has significant advantage.

Network: Straw-man argument. Unless you're going to a top school, the network you establish anywhere isn't all that strong. Your classmates are in the same position as you are. But, with some online programs you'll find yourself in class with people that have some real power and contacts. This is because most online programs are being attending by working adults and not fresh out of high school kids.

"The college experience": If you're 17-18 and fresh out of high school then a classroom is a pretty good place to learn to grow up a little. If you're in your 20's and work 9-5, have a husband and two kids, have bills to pay and things to do -- "the college experience" with a bunch of kids that think getting stone-faced drunk is fun is the last thing you need to add to your life.

just a few thoughts... online is not the best approach for most people. Most people can't do a 100% online degree and succeed. A hybrid is always a good option and just about every college in the country teaches online these days.

Francis Said:

Do employers take online university degrees seriously?

We Answered:

It depends on what institution is handling the on-line instruction -- if it's an accredited university that has on-line programs in addition to a regular curriculum, sure. If it's an on-line "paper mill" where there isn't any real instruction or testing, and you just get credit for "life experience" -- no way.
I once interviewed a guy for a senior producer position, who had on his resume bachelor's and master's degrees in English Lit and Business. He listed the school, and I'd never heard of it -- so I did a google search, and found them: "Get credit for your life experience! Bachelor's degrees from $79.95!"

I asked the candidate if he really thought these degrees were worth anything, to which he replied," Sure, they asked me what I had done previously, and might not have given me the degrees if I hadn't had a lot of experience."

Needless to say, I didn't hire him -- and I advised him not to put them on his resume in the future, since they gave the impression that he was trying to pull a fast one on potential employers :)

Andrew Said:

are online degrees as good as an inclass university degree?

We Answered:

you already know the answer...the reason why is that you get the experience not only hands on with the professor, but with other students too.

On line takes too much time, and you get bogged down in cyber space. The classroom is a much better learning enviorment.

Been there...and will never take another on line course...so help me God!

Milton Said:

Online University degrees- University admins would like to increase revenue but do not want to compromise the?

We Answered:

Jobs resources and information at jobstret.info.
http://jobstret.info/

Ashley Said:

University offering online degrees at in state tuition?

We Answered:

You can easily compare info about these schools in this site - schools.iblogger.org

Hugh Said:

Can anyone tell me about taking online classes, through an online university. Are the degrees credible?

We Answered:

If you MUST take online courses, please take them under the auspices of a well-known and REGIONALLY (not nationally) accredited university. Many reputable state universities offer affordable online courses (and even degrees) these days. Please do your research before you waste your money.

Here is a list of regional accreditation associations. If the program you are considering is not accredited by one of these bodies, you should look elsewhere.

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools