I am looking to go back to school this fall. I was in a state college a few years back with about 60 credits completed and a GPA of 3.89. I had to stopped school due to personal family obligations and financial hardships. (My dad got very sick in his old age and I had to stop everything to take care of him). I am in a much better place now but I still cannot to quit my job to go back to school so I was hoping to complete my bachelors through an online program.
So far I got accepted to Colorado State University, UMass Lowell and Dartmouth. All online programs. I eventually want to get into the finance sector or management industry. (Currently an insurance agent).
If I want to get into Merrill Lynch, UBS, Management Consulting (I know the big three is pretty much impossible, what about lower tier firms?) are there any online bachelor programs I should look at in particular?
I have spoken to advisers from UMass and they advised my degree will not have any distinction on it stating that I completed the degree.
Also, what is your opinion on a Bachelors in Business Administration vs a Bachelors in Finance? I am having trouble finding a decent program with a degree majoring in finance.
University of Florida has developed an online Bachelor’s degree. My son does dual enrollment with them online and it’s pretty user friendly, but still rigorous.
Tom, I am avoiding those universities that are known for pushing out degrees to anyone with a heartbeat. What I meant by that statement is that there are some schools such at Colorado State University, their online program is called Global Campus. On the degree from Colorado State will have “Colorado State University - Global Campus” on the degree whereas the online degree from University Massachusetts will not have the word “online campus/etc.” on it. So I will get the same degree printout as everyone else. Hope this made sense.
SouthFloridaMom9, thank you for advising. I am hoping for a rigorous program to not waste my time or money. Obviously online degrees have a certain stereotype about them and are generally looked down upon by major employers (from what I have been told). Just want to avoid useless schools like University of Phoenix.
I think you have to check each college website to make sure the degrees they issue for online programs are the same as the degrees they issue to traditional students. I know the SUNYs issue the same degree. I wouldn’t enroll in a college that issued separate degrees.
Are you looking for less expensive options or just additional programs to consider?
austinmshauri, price isn’t really a big issue since my employer is covering 60% of the cost as long as I stay and work full time for him and meet sales quota (I am one of his top insurance producers which why I guess he offered to cover the costs) and I have a few scholarships left on hold from when I left school a few years ago. Financial aid is another option so price shouldn’t be a big obstacle. I just want my money’s worth with a degree from a program employers can respect.
I am just looking for additional programs to have a wider array of options. I am still waiting to hear back from UMass Amherst (this is the only institution out the schools I applied to where big finance firms and Bain Consulting recruits mildly from). Really hoping I get into Amherst since it is the better out of all my acceptances so far, but they only reply with a decision by mail which is taking forever.