Opinions Please!

[Johanna]

I realize that this is a subjective question, but I would like to throw it out there anyway in case some of you have some imput - I need a BA/BS only to be able to get into graduate school (social work). So what I would like some opinions on is whether it is safe to just go with a completely external degree (like Excelsior) or whether it would be better to transfer 78-80 credits to a 'degree completion' kind of program that would give me a BA in Human Resource Mgmt after I put in my 44 odd credit hours worth of work that is their minimum required number to graduate from them. Any thoughts? How will my state university (OSU) graduate school regard an Excelsior degree versus a degree at least partially earned in actual classes?

[ShotoJuku]

I realize that this is a subjective question, but I would like to throw it out there anyway in case some of you have some imput - I need a BA/BS only to be able to get into graduate school (social work). So what I would like some opinions on is whether it is safe to just go with a completely external degree (like Excelsior) or whether it would be better to transfer 78-80 credits to a 'degree completion' kind of program that would give me a BA in Human Resource Mgmt after I put in my 44 odd credit hours worth of work that is their minimum required number to graduate from them. Any thoughts? How will my state university (OSU) graduate school regard an Excelsior degree versus a degree at least partially earned in actual classes?

[SIZE="3"]"]The only thing I would suggest would be to contact EC directly and try to get some feedback from them as they would be better able to give you the kind of answers needed. Despite the best of intentions from everyone here, myself included, I would consult with the real experts such as the advisory staff at any college. GOOD LUCK!![/SIZE]

[Criticalthinker]

Can you ask someone, such as an enrollment advisor etc...Perhaps someone at OSU's school of continuing studies or returning student program could answer these kinds of questions for you? Personally I think showing the initiatve to finish a degree, in an innovative and focused way makes you a great candidate for graduate work in SW.
Good luck
CT

[spazz]

I realize that this is a subjective question, but I would like to throw it out there anyway in case some of you have some imput - I need a BA/BS only to be able to get into graduate school (social work). So what I would like some opinions on is whether it is safe to just go with a completely external degree (like Excelsior) or whether it would be better to transfer 78-80 credits to a 'degree completion' kind of program that would give me a BA in Human Resource Mgmt after I put in my 44 odd credit hours worth of work that is their minimum required number to graduate from them. Any thoughts? How will my state university (OSU) graduate school regard an Excelsior degree versus a degree at least partially earned in actual classes?

It would be better to transfer to a traditional school to finish your degree, even if its a state school like you suggested. If you could transfer and not lose most of your credits, then I think it would be very smart. But if you lose half or more of your credits, then it would probally be better to just stay your current track.

The answer to your question is the degree from excelsior is not worth as much as a degree from a traditional school. But you have to weigh out the benefits in your current situation and to what you would lose if you went to a traditional school.

Hope this helps!

[snazzlefrag]

I realize that this is a subjective question, but I would like to throw it out there anyway in case some of you have some imput - I need a BA/BS only to be able to get into graduate school (social work). So what I would like some opinions on is whether it is safe to just go with a completely external degree (like Excelsior) or whether it would be better to transfer 78-80 credits to a 'degree completion' kind of program that would give me a BA in Human Resource Mgmt after I put in my 44 odd credit hours worth of work that is their minimum required number to graduate from them. Any thoughts? How will my state university (OSU) graduate school regard an Excelsior degree versus a degree at least partially earned in actual classes?

Hi Johanna,

Most graduate schools are primarily looking for completion of a Regionally Accredited undergraduate degree, a minimum required GPA (ie, 2.0, 3.0 or 3.5); fulfillment of any required pre-requisites for entry into a given graduate program (a degree in a specific subject, or certain undergraduate credits); entrance test scores such as MAT or GRE etc.; a really good entrance essay; and/or letters of recommendation.

Each schools admissions policies are different, but in general, you shouldn't have any problem getting in if you can meet the above types of entrance requirements.

Obviously, if you have a 1.8 GPA and your desired graduate school requires a 2.0, you will have problems. If your desired school requires an undergraduate degree in a specific subject, and you don't have it, that might cause problems (but usually they allow you to take "bridging courses" to fulfill their pre-requisites).

The other situation in which you might have trouble, would be if you are trying to get into one of the 'elite' schools. But that goes without saying, and most students, REGARDLESS of where or how they got their UG degree, would have a hard time getting into the elite schools.

There are NUMEROUS examples of Excelsior grads going on to earn masters and doctorates at conventional schools. So I don't think you will encounter any problems. But, if you are at all nervous, you should contact a few schools on your list of 'potentials' and ask them what their policy is on Excelsior degrees. You will probably find that, for the vast majority of them, it will not be an issue at all. Rather, they will be looking to see if you can fulfill some combination (or all) of the admissions requirements I mentioned in my first paragraph.

By all means, do your research up front so there will be no surprises later on. But as I said, I doubt you will encounter an admissions issue solely because you tested out of your degree at Excelsior.

Hope that helps,
Snazzlefrag

[snazzlefrag]

The answer to your question is the degree from excelsior is not worth as much as a degree from a traditional school.

Johanna,

Spazz's statement is probably true in certain specific situations which require the completion of an on-the-ground undergraduate degree (science subjects come to mind). But for the most part and with all things being considered equal, a regionally accredited degree from Excelsior is no less and no more valuable than a regionally accredited degree from another school.

It is a regionally accredited degree. Period! As such, there is no reason to expect that employers and graduate schools would discriminate against an Excelsior degree, providing that all other requirements have been met satisfactorily. This is bourne out by the countless number of Excelsior graduates who have continued on to RA masters and doctorate programs, and those who have been able to gain employment, promotion, and/or increase their pay grade based on possession of an RA degree from Excelsior.

To pass any of the college-level equivalency exams, you must prove that you are AT THE VERY LEAST as knowledgeable as an average Bricks and Mortar student who takes the corresponding class. If anything, testing out shows that you are able to take the initiative, able to research and study independently, work well under pressure, be determined, be organized, and be absolutely focussed and self-motivated. All these qualities augur well for graduate work and/or advancement in employment.

There is discrimination and snobbery in all facets of academia. So it is almost certain that any given student would encounter it, in certain circumstances.

A state school may discriminate against non-state schools. An ivy-league school may discriminate against a non-ivy-league school. A B&M school may discriminate against a distance learning school, American schools may discriminate against foreign schools, and so on.

But to claim outright, and without qualification, that an "Excelsior degree is not worth as much as a degree from a traditional school" is probably not a wholly accurate assessment.

As others have correctly recommended, it is wise to do your research before coming to any decisions or conclusions either way.

Hope that helps,
Snazzlefrag

[spazz]

Johanna,

Spazz's statement is probably true in certain specific situations which require the completion of an on-the-ground undergraduate degree (science subjects come to mind). But for the most part and with all things being considered equal, a regionally accredited degree from Excelsior is no less and no more valuable than a regionally accredited degree from another school.

It is a regionally accredited degree. Period! As such, there is no reason to expect that employers and graduate schools would discriminate against an Excelsior degree, providing that all other requirements have been met satisfactorily. This is bourne out by the countless number of Excelsior graduates who have continued on to RA masters and doctorate programs, and those who have been able to gain employment, promotion, and/or increase their pay grade based on possession of an RA degree from Excelsior.

To pass any of the college-level equivalency exams, you must prove that you are AT THE VERY LEAST as knowledgeable as an average Bricks and Mortar student who takes the corresponding class. If anything, testing out shows that you are able to take the initiative, able to research and study independently, work well under pressure, be determined, be organized, and be absolutely focussed and self-motivated. All these qualities augur well for graduate work and/or advancement in employment.

There is discrimination and snobbery in all facets of academia. So it is almost certain that any given student would encounter it, in certain circumstances.

A state school may discriminate against non-state schools. An ivy-league school may discriminate against a non-ivy-league school. A B&M school may discriminate against a distance learning school, American schools may discriminate against foreign schools, and so on.

But to claim outright, and without qualification, that an "Excelsior degree is not worth as much as a degree from a traditional school" is probably not a wholly accurate assessment.

As others have correctly recommended, it is wise to do your research before coming to any decisions or conclusions either way.

Hope that helps,
Snazzlefrag

I think no matter what they are going to discriminate unless of course the majority of the admissions also have degrees from online, which is very unlikely.

I work at a state university as a research assistant and many of my colleagues also feel that you cannot get the proper education from online/distance learning. Now as Snazzlefrag was saying, there are obviously more specialized results, I was just giving you a general idea. But for some degrees it would not matter where you got it from, the degree that comes to mind here is liberal arts. To me this degree, just says I have a degree, etc. It is not specialized, but if you get a more specialized degree, you're competing with everyone else’s degree program.

For graduate school, there are limited places, even if you're going to a school that is not very good. Again, depending what degree you're going for you are probably competing with 70% of the students who come from accredited programs. I am not talking about regionally accredited, everyone and their mother is regionally accredited. I am talking about the actual program accreditation. This is what the admissions and even employers look at.

Even if you stay the course of your online learning for whatever reason, it is still better to have a degree from online then to not have a degree at all. You just have to weigh the cost and benefits of obtaining one online vs. traditionally. Which I am sure you have

Generally speaking, any online/distance learning degree is not worth as much as any traditional degree. The only counter example to this would be if the board of directors for admissions all came from that same online college.

It is a simple principle, if you come from a tier two school like WPI, RIT, etc then your degree is worth more then a degree from a state school and if you come from a world class school like Stanford, Upenn and Yale then your degree is obviously worth more then someone who graduated from a tier two schools.

Here is what I like to call the food chain of college education. Generally speaking this is practically always true.

Online/Distance Learning -> State schools -> Tier Two schools -> World Class Schools

Hope this helps!!

[snazzlefrag]

Here is what I like to call the food chain of college education. Generally speaking this is practically always true.

Online/Distance Learning -> State schools -> Tier Two schools -> World Class Schools

Interesting viewpoint.

Where would an online degree from Stanford, Penn, or Yale fit into your food chain? Would a B&M degree from West Pickaniny College trump a DL degree from Harvard?

[spazz]

Interesting viewpoint.

Where would an online degree from Stanford, Penn, or Yale fit into your food chain? Would a B&M degree from West Pickaniny College trump a DL degree from Harvard?

You cannot get an online degree from these schools and you surely cannot test out of the entire degree. What you can do though is take online courses from these schools, but it is VERY limited towards your major. They were severely criticized when they actually started offering online courses. But they had to come across sometime because of the demand from the body to get rid of these bullshit classes.

As far as I am concerned I do not think these schools will ever offer a 100% online program. So to answer your question, no. College education is about learning from the body of faculty (not just the course content), doing research (labs/oral comm, low level), and getting experience. None of these things are achieved in online learning. While it might be possible to have around 25% of the required classes online, it is no where near possible to have them all.

[anar579]

I realize that this is a subjective question, but I would like to throw it out there anyway in case some of you have some imput - I need a BA/BS only to be able to get into graduate school (social work). So what I would like some opinions on is whether it is safe to just go with a completely external degree (like Excelsior) or whether it would be better to transfer 78-80 credits to a 'degree completion' kind of program that would give me a BA in Human Resource Mgmt after I put in my 44 odd credit hours worth of work that is their minimum required number to graduate from them. Any thoughts? How will my state university (OSU) graduate school regard an Excelsior degree versus a degree at least partially earned in actual classes?

Johanna,

Why don't you call the graduate program(s) you'd like to attend and ask them directly?

You might also want to look into other forums, notably this one: http://forums.degreeinfo.com
It's been around for several years and is more diverse than this one; you might find someone who's been in a situation similar to yours.

I think the most important thing is to look at the type of graduate program you are looking to get into. Personally, I'm looking to go onto law school, and my EC degree will work just fine since GPA is important, but LSAT scores supersede grades regardless of UG school or degree type. You're doing the right thing by looking into it beforehand.

Best of luck!