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Monica D
You're either in, or you're out
PeaNut 20,988
September 2001
Posts: 9,906
Layouts: 61
Loc: South Bay, CA
 |  Posted: 2/4/2013 1:13:06 PM
I've been a SAHM for the past (almost) seven years and would like to go back to school; I'm looking into possibly becoming either a paralegal or an ultrasound tech. Ideally I'd like to take classes online, but am not sure how those types of degrees will be viewed and am worried about accreditation. My other option is a local school that may offer some online classes, which is what I'm leaning towards. Any experience with either? TIA! |
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PolarGreen12
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 319,638
May 2007
Posts: 2,701
Layouts: 24
Loc: Tulsa, OK
 | Posted: 2/4/2013 1:25:29 PM
I would go with your local accredited school and check out their online courses.
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MergeLeft
Typical Liberal
PeaNut 221,236
August 2005
Posts: 19,103
Layouts: 67
Loc: Houston
 | Posted: 2/4/2013 1:27:45 PM
Go with a local accredited school. My husband did his MBA through the University of Texas online and it's been viewed as the same as any other MBA - not "less" at all. |
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Designing
PeaFixture
PeaNut 57,490
December 2002
Posts: 3,897
Layouts: 116
Loc: Okmulgee, OK
 | Posted: 2/4/2013 1:30:54 PM
As a general rule, most of the for profit online colleges, and I use that term loosely, are viewed about as well as if you had gotten a degree in a cracker jack box.
Your best bet is the local route. If they offer your classes online,,, you should be good as long as those classes you take will transfer to your eventual choice of college.
I am assuming you know what you want to want to do? If so, you would need to first determine if you would want/need an advanced degree (Bachelor or higher) or just an Associates.
If just an Associates, then make certain your courses will be accepted for your degree field. If higher, then you need to decide where you will get your Bachelors from and then you have to find out what, if any, of your online classes will be credited as well as what classes you would need in your general studies in order to complete the degree choice as well as the field choice.
Hope I made that a bit clearer than mud. I do not seem to be able to gather my thoughts at the moment. Basically, the end result you are going for is what you need to determine prior to making decisions about any classes you would start with now.
I went to college in 2007 at the ripe old age of 40 and attained my Bachelors of English at a private university that is among the top 100 private universities in the US. I had no clue what I needed to do, but by sheer luck, I managed to select classes that transferred. Had I known then what I do now, I would have been able to eliminate some classes and add others.
I would determine your final goal, what college you would like attend (online or brick and mortar) and then plan accordingly.
Good luck and HAVE FUN while you learn! |
"The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other peoples money." Margaret Thatcher
"Most People live life in the fast lane. *I* live life in oncoming traffic."
The BEST pal is a Scrapal!!!
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mythreeboys
Lady of Ledgers
PeaNut 52,585
October 2002
Posts: 5,438
Layouts: 45
Loc: Alberta, Canada
| Posted: 2/4/2013 1:30:55 PM
My dh has a Masters in Education that he took through the online option from a university. Considering how long ago I graduated university, I was AMAZED at what he was able to do online. It was really awesome & convenient for him and our family. He had people in his classes from all over the world. I was really impressed. Online education has come a LONG way.
As long as the school you get your diploma from is accredited & has a good reputation you should be fine. Definitely check with your local schools first, imo.
Christine
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Wife to my sweetie for 18 years
Mommy to:
Timothy - Feb/00
Benjamin - Jun/02
Gabriel - Sep/05
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scrappower
Allons-y Alonso
PeaNut 174,150
October 2004
Posts: 13,005
Layouts: 0
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Compwalla
Pastafarian Pea
PeaNut 11,942
March 2001
Posts: 19,839
Layouts: 39
Loc: Vacaville, CA
 | Posted: 2/4/2013 2:01:30 PM
I did some of my classes online because I was remote and could not attend some classes in person. But my university was a regular school that happened to offer distance ed, not an online school. We did have to have a proctor for the midterm and the final. If you're going online, that's what I'd look for. |
Virginia
I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires. --Susan B. Anthony
Blog link - Dryer Lint
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StampinBetsy
AncestralPea
PeaNut 197,496
March 2005
Posts: 4,048
Layouts: 8
Loc: North Texas
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gavinsmom
AncestralPea
PeaNut 9,019
January 2001
Posts: 4,574
Layouts: 22
Loc: michigan
| Posted: 2/4/2013 6:31:21 PM
if you decide to go ultrasound tech..there is A LOT of clinical work that you need that can't be done online |
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raindancer
Capt. Sparrow's Pirate Wench
PeaNut 217,886
August 2005
Posts: 15,465
Layouts: 44
| Posted: 2/4/2013 7:03:39 PM
WGU, Western Governor's University is completely accredited and a very good online school according to a few of my friends. Two have nursing degrees from there and did their clinicals locally and had no issues getting a job. Another has an IT degree with them and again no issues.
I have heard the same and my sister is getting her masters through them after much research on the school.
Otherwise, I would go the state school route. Remember too that you can take classes online through community colleges as well and they will transfer to a big university. So I have a class this summer online through Maricopa Community college, even though I'm in Tucson, and it will transfer to the University of Arizona, per my advisor at the UA. 
I hadn't even thought about looking at cities around the state for classes like that.
But I would definitely not go the University of Phoenix route or anything like that. Bad plan. And not looked upon fondly by pretty much everyone I know who does hiring. |
~Heidi~
"You can make excuses or you can make progress but you can't make both."
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Sierramoon
PeaFixture
PeaNut 71,348
February 2003
Posts: 3,017
Layouts: 26
| Posted: 2/4/2013 8:48:29 PM
I earned my Master's degree entirely online from a real brick and mortar college. They had the program online but I could have taken classes as well. When I was looking for an online program, I wanted get one from a physical college. That just felt more authentic to me. |
*~*"Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter..."*~*
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Aggiemom92
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 90,200
June 2003
Posts: 2,693
Layouts: 2
 | Posted: 2/4/2013 9:51:32 PM
It's not the 'online' that's an issue, it's the for profit universities. If you get it from a state university for example, it's not like they stamp 'Earned Online' on the transcript. |
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CarolT
Slow Poke Pea
PeaNut 857
June 1999
Posts: 5,108
Layouts: 37
Loc: Central Florida
 | Posted: 2/4/2013 9:52:05 PM
I'm another who earned my MA from a brick and mortar state university through online classes.
I worked hard, learned a lot, and got a great new job the Monday after my graduation
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Monica D
You're either in, or you're out
PeaNut 20,988
September 2001
Posts: 9,906
Layouts: 61
Loc: South Bay, CA
| Posted: 2/5/2013 12:06:33 AM
I think I'll stick to a local college. I live in the Bay Area so I have access to plenty of schools. Thank you for the advice...I appreciate it! |
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scrappower
Allons-y Alonso
PeaNut 174,150
October 2004
Posts: 13,005
Layouts: 0
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Fairlyoddparent
AncestralPea
PeaNut 71,090
February 2003
Posts: 4,747
Layouts: 11
Loc: Indiana
| Posted: 2/5/2013 10:38:49 AM
I am finishing my degree completely online. I am going with a state university. You just need to find the major that you are interested in doing because online degrees are more limited than traditional degrees...at least in my experience.
Good luck! |
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<--- Graduated from Texas Tech 12/18/2009!!
