Hi,
In answer to the original question of this thread, I agree that the best course of action is to choose which Masters program you want to attend and then ask them directly. If they accept the Excelsior degree, then you have no problems (get the answer in writing on school letterhead). If not, complete 60% to 70% of it by tests and then transfer into a B&M school.
Now, on to the sub-topic...I believe what spazz meant by "bullshit" classes was not that they aren't college level but the typical liberal arts classes that all BA/BS degree students have to take. I do not believe that in this instance, spazz was denigrating online courses. These classes do reinforce and expand upon the learning received during a student's highschool and earlier learning. These classes are intended to make a student an intellectually well-rounded person, but usually have no application to the actual degree. I don't mean that they are never used. For example, a class in sociology will help a business student in understanding a foreign culture.
It is true that Ivy League schools have been slow to embrace on-line learning.
However, that is slowly changing. Harvard currently offers many courses online but not complete degrees. Princeton, Yale and Stanford also offer courses online. Administrators and faculty from Princeton, Yale and Stanford have met to discuss establishing a broader online program in early 2000 and even invested $50 million in the project. Unfortunately, it appears that effort has stalled. I currently cannot find any additional information on those three schools offering online degrees. But, Columbia University (an Ivy League school), currently offers several Masters degree programs completely online. (See this article: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/02/09/cv...orbes.html and the Columbia Continuing Education website: http://www.ce.columbia.edu/index.cfm)
Also, it was true in the past that on-line learning was looked down upon. However, that is quickly changing. I read an article recently (can't find the link right now) about a survey of employers on a broad range of topics. One topic was the source of the education of a prospective employee. 85% of those surveyed said that they would treat an online degree from an accredited institution the same as a traditional degree. Basically, at this time, you may meet someone who discriminates against an online degree, but those instances are becoming fewer and fewer. There may still be some discrimination in academia about online degrees, but that should change in the near future as well. Many state and private institutions are increasing the number of programs offered online. The following link is a page showing a great many of the degrees and certificates available online through Florida schools (both public and private).
http://www.distancelearn.org/degreeOptions.cfm
Many of the B&M institutions are starting online programs with graduate degrees. The Columbia example earlier is just one. University of Southern California (USC) also currently offers over 30 Masters of Science degree programs entirely online.
BTW, Excelsior is regionally accredited and also has individual programs that are accredited. For example, the Nursing program is accredited by National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) which is recognized by the CHEA and the U.S. Secretary for Education. The Electronics Engineering and Nuclear Engineering degree programs are accredited by Technology Accreditation Committee (TAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology(ABET). Most, not all, B&M schools are regionally accredited. However, most of the online institutions are either accredited by an agency not approved by CHEA or are Nationally Accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).
The online schools that are accredited by an agency not approved by CHEA are in most instances, degree mills. Which means those degrees are close to useless.
Nationally accredited schools by the DETC, gain a higher acceptance than the degree mills, but there is probably still a significant prejudice against these schools.
Regionally accredited schools are the standard. In order to receive funding from states, public schools must be regionally accredited. Private schools also maintain this accreditation. Certain programs offered by a school may also be accredited by a specific organization. For example, ABET offers accreditation of Engineering and Technology programs. However, not all programs will have an accreditation committee or agency to accredit them.
Hope this helps,
In answer to the original question of this thread, I agree that the best course of action is to choose which Masters program you want to attend and then ask them directly. If they accept the Excelsior degree, then you have no problems (get the answer in writing on school letterhead). If not, complete 60% to 70% of it by tests and then transfer into a B&M school.
Now, on to the sub-topic...I believe what spazz meant by "bullshit" classes was not that they aren't college level but the typical liberal arts classes that all BA/BS degree students have to take. I do not believe that in this instance, spazz was denigrating online courses. These classes do reinforce and expand upon the learning received during a student's highschool and earlier learning. These classes are intended to make a student an intellectually well-rounded person, but usually have no application to the actual degree. I don't mean that they are never used. For example, a class in sociology will help a business student in understanding a foreign culture.
It is true that Ivy League schools have been slow to embrace on-line learning.
However, that is slowly changing. Harvard currently offers many courses online but not complete degrees. Princeton, Yale and Stanford also offer courses online. Administrators and faculty from Princeton, Yale and Stanford have met to discuss establishing a broader online program in early 2000 and even invested $50 million in the project. Unfortunately, it appears that effort has stalled. I currently cannot find any additional information on those three schools offering online degrees. But, Columbia University (an Ivy League school), currently offers several Masters degree programs completely online. (See this article: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/02/09/cv...orbes.html and the Columbia Continuing Education website: http://www.ce.columbia.edu/index.cfm)
Also, it was true in the past that on-line learning was looked down upon. However, that is quickly changing. I read an article recently (can't find the link right now) about a survey of employers on a broad range of topics. One topic was the source of the education of a prospective employee. 85% of those surveyed said that they would treat an online degree from an accredited institution the same as a traditional degree. Basically, at this time, you may meet someone who discriminates against an online degree, but those instances are becoming fewer and fewer. There may still be some discrimination in academia about online degrees, but that should change in the near future as well. Many state and private institutions are increasing the number of programs offered online. The following link is a page showing a great many of the degrees and certificates available online through Florida schools (both public and private).
http://www.distancelearn.org/degreeOptions.cfm
Many of the B&M institutions are starting online programs with graduate degrees. The Columbia example earlier is just one. University of Southern California (USC) also currently offers over 30 Masters of Science degree programs entirely online.
BTW, Excelsior is regionally accredited and also has individual programs that are accredited. For example, the Nursing program is accredited by National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) which is recognized by the CHEA and the U.S. Secretary for Education. The Electronics Engineering and Nuclear Engineering degree programs are accredited by Technology Accreditation Committee (TAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology(ABET). Most, not all, B&M schools are regionally accredited. However, most of the online institutions are either accredited by an agency not approved by CHEA or are Nationally Accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).
The online schools that are accredited by an agency not approved by CHEA are in most instances, degree mills. Which means those degrees are close to useless.
Nationally accredited schools by the DETC, gain a higher acceptance than the degree mills, but there is probably still a significant prejudice against these schools.
Regionally accredited schools are the standard. In order to receive funding from states, public schools must be regionally accredited. Private schools also maintain this accreditation. Certain programs offered by a school may also be accredited by a specific organization. For example, ABET offers accreditation of Engineering and Technology programs. However, not all programs will have an accreditation committee or agency to accredit them.
Hope this helps,
[SIZE="1"][COLOR="blue"]
BS in Accounting(General) from Excelsior College
Enrolled in MBA program at Upper Iowa University.[/COLOR][/SIZE]
BS in Accounting(General) from Excelsior College
Enrolled in MBA program at Upper Iowa University.[/COLOR][/SIZE]
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