I live in Memphis Tn and attend a private University here called Rhodes College on a full academic scholarship. I have a little working list of Universities to apply to for grad school. This list is rather realistic and humble and open.
One of the universities on my list is the University of Memphis. If I get lucky with obtaining nice employment upon graduation, I can go to the University of Memphis and earn an online masters.
Alright?
And, I will always know in the back of my mind, that the university is on the up and up and that I can go there at any time in order to use the library or even to take some “in class” classes in something nifty. Or, even attend a football game or something. None of the diploma mills have sports teams, eh? Can one say that if they attend the University of Phoenix? No. Can one say that if they attend a school which only exists online? No.
I wish there were laws against these diploma mills. Blessed shame. My worse case scenario is this University of Memphis. And, for a bit over $700.00 a grad class, it is a steal! I wish more folks would look into the Universities of their own city or state before picking a diploma mill.
You’ve got to be kidding me. Did you really just evaluate the quality of a university on whether they have a football program or not?
I’ve got a better idea. How about we decide whether a school is legitimate by if they are accredited? News flash, the University of Phoenix is institutionally accredited by one of the six regional agencies recognized by the Dept. of Education to do so. This is the exact same level of external oversight and approval the University of Memphis has.
Think of Phoenix what you want (and it’s obvious some employers think it’s not so great), but calling it a diploma mill is laughable. You can’t use a diploma mill degree to get into an ABA law school, something a quick Google search will demonstrate many Phoenix grads have accomplished.
I would assume that everyone on this area of the site is aware of the accrediting agencies which are recognised by the US Dept. of Ed. Oh look, here is the US Dept. Of Ed. listing of accrediting agencies…
In my opinion, when it comes to online degree options, I think a quick and simple rule would be to see if the University has a legit brick and mortar campus.
Another really quick and easy rule of thumb is that a University which has sporting teams as well as such things as a fully functioning physical library are indicators of the University being on the up and up.
I have yet to see any long term studies which indicate that folks who graduate from Diploma Mills go on to such places as medical school and the like. I do know that one who attends a normal University does not have to make an attempt to justifying their mode of schooling through such a thing as a google search. Please note that I am not, at all, referring to you personally.
The only thing I know is that in the real world human resource managers are not ones for Diploma Mills. Until there is a legit long term study done on such a thing as graduates from Diploma Mills becoming easy hires in the work force and the like, I will stand by my opinion.
Please note that it is always when one has to defend their choice in University that the chickens come home to roost. For example, my idea of keeping the University of Memphis on my list of potential grad schools is: quick, easy, simple, and realistic. No employer would doubt the validity of what could very well be my future Graduate level coursework at that University. In no small part because such things as their sporting teams lend credence and validity to the fact that the University of Memphis is a real live g haul University.
Anyone else would just get in their studying somewhere normal and move on. And, it literally breaks my heart when folks do not see that there are more legit options for their higher education. I am not, Vincey37, making reference to you personally. Since you are new to this web site, I am assuming you will be able to take my response to your “post” in good humor.
Well mildred, you may want to rethink your choice of graduate school, because the University of Memphis shows one of the undergraduate schools represented in their current law school class is the DeVry Institute of Technology - which I’m sure you would classify as a diploma mill. Do you really want to be associated with a school that accepts diploma mill alumni for graduate study?
Since it appears you are attempting to cast doubt on my “post” by calling into question my time here on the forum, I should point out I have been a member here since 2005, far longer than you. Perhaps the difference is I do not create as many “posts” spreading misinformation such as calling legitimate schools “diploma mills”?
Vincey 77. As I have explained already, The University of Memphis is basically my worse case scenario grad school choice in the event that I find really nice employment in the city in which my current University is located. I am not going to defend my having a very realistic and open list of potential grad schools.
Now I would think it interesting as to why you feel as though you can assume what I would consider to be a diploma mill, but I can tell you are being argumentative just for the sake of being argumentative. I also would think it interesting to know why you are fixated on Law Schools, but I do not really care to bother with that.
Calling a spade a spade is not spreading misinformation. I am still waiting for the day that there will have been long term, longitudinal studies done on the future employment opportunities of folks who are graduates from diploma mills. Until that day comes, one can assume whatever they care to. That is fine by me, I am not a mean girl. Also, posting a hyperlink of the web site for the US Higher Ed accrediting agencies is not a bad thing at all and it does not constitute misinformation. One can look up the University of Phoenix and whatever the heck else from that site. It is not a bad thing to do.
I really could care less as to how long anyone has been a member of any web site at all. I am not a gentleman and am, therefore, not one for: “mine is larger than yours” type of arguments. I was just under the presumption that you did not read the rules of this site or something.
I notice, having read through your postings, that you are on the verge of graduating University. Perhaps the hostility you have decided to express towards me comes from your just wondering what it is you will be doing with regards to Graduate School? If it is, then that is alright. No big deal. We all feel like that when going through major life changing events and the like, man. It will be alright.
Now, what I am going to do is call things a day. You just try and have a nice day. I am sure things will work out alright for you, and I am sorry if I somehow rubbed you the wrong way.
I fail to see how it is possible to draw a distinction between Phoenix and DeVry. They are both for profit schools which operate on identical business models.
I don’t think people who did actual work for a degree from one of those school s would appreciate you classifying them in the same category as those who bought their degree for $550 plus shipping. Trying to demonstrate that difference is not being argumentative for the sake of argument.
Before you question my law school data, where is yours? Right, you have none for your “degree mill” claim. And the reason I used law schools is that they are typically the only type of graduate program to post the undergraduate schools of their incoming classes.
Just because I’m arguing with you on the Internet doesn’t mean I’m upset about something. I sure hope you aren’t taking this personally.
Anyway, I can see there is no convincing you and people can make up their own minds after reading this thread. You have a nice day as well and best of luck with your studies.
University of Phoenix is the best of the online degree programs which is not tied to an already established college or university, which is why it achieved accreditation. However, it still raises questions in the eyes of some graduate schools and with some potential employers. That is a factor which needs to be considered when undertaking the degree program. Perhaps over time this perception will change but, for now, some folks may prefer to play it safe and pursue a program which they do not have to defend to others. Whether right or wrong, it is a legitimate perspective.
I think the issue with these types of degrees, whether they are from GW or University of Phoenix, will always be, “how can we be sure you didn’t cheat?” Even with the non-selective brick and mortar schools that offer classes mainly conducted online, I know someone who pays others to submit the web work in lieu of doing their own assignments or even partaking in the discussions. Even the most rigorous accredited online programs can be a sham in that way unless every single grade is based solely on regularly scheduled, stringently proctored exams. But in that scenario, what’s the point of an online school anyway? State schools are like that already…
overanxious mother, I think that’s more a reflection on the University of Phoenix than on-line degrees in general. If she got an on-line degree from a brick and mortar school, nobody would even know that she did it entirely on-line.
I just read this article this morning and I think it might interest you all. The writer interviewed employers, HR professionals and students to find out the answer to this question:
These days with so many Online Colleges option it is not impossible to compare Online degrees with that of Traditional. Universities like: Bakers College Online, University of Phoenix, Westwood College, Capella University, Walden University are some of the mainstream online colleges. I would say Yes to Online Degrees.
Online schools are a great option for people pursuing degrees higher than high school. I’d really recommend doing your research. Visit edu.com and view a complete list of online schools and programs that will fit your needs and experience.
i go to university of phoenix and i went to a community college when i was 21 i find the online course load hard with lots of reading. i know college students at regular colleges say that online isent hard well it is. yes i only have to take two at a time but guess what there 9 weeks long, tons of reading 3 assignments a week perclass and one class compared to my college experience at 21 is like 2 or 3 in a on campus school. plus online you have to take more responsibility you have to depend on your self more, you dont have the option to work with your teacher or have study groups to help learn the info. i find it more difficult. but im for it. i think a online degree is just as acceptable as off line
Depends on the school name, if you have an online degree from USC, Columbia, Stanford or MIT, you’ll get way more career opportunities than pure online schools like U of Phoenix. Plus, these top universities have alumni connections you could take advantage at, these connections you made through college/grad school are far more valuable than any class instructions.
I earned my BA from Baylor University, and my MBA from the University of Houston at Victoria. Both schools are AACSB-accredited, both schools have brick-n-mortar campuses and compete in NCAA sports. Guess which one was where I attended classes online?
My point is, you want to consider what the name of the school says, its accreditation and whether the courses are the same for online as for face-to-face classes. Never choose a school in hopes it will be easy or quick, always consider how potential employers or next-level schools will regard your degree, and be sure to consider if you will be proud of your degree ten years after the fact, or try to make up for it as if it were an embarrassment.
Speaking as a manager, I agree that many for-profit online schools like U/Phoenix and Devry may provide a solid education, but it is undeniable that they are not considered equal to established state and private schools. On the one hand, there are undoubtably cases where that bias is unfair to the graduates of such schools, but on the other it’s a legal practice and you’d better be aware that it happens.
Online schools have a stigma mostly for younger students, since the assumption is that they could and should go to “regular” schools. When older students go to school, it is socially more acceptable to consider an online school due to family and work restrictions, especially when you go back to satisfy a more or less formality in obtaining a higher degree - you earn your promotion more on your resume than on your degree, and so the school’s name is much less significant when you’re over 30.
Finished up my degree at UOP and got a job right out of college in my field about a year ago. Didn’t seem to have any negative effect. I did attend online and on campus which to me seems harder AND better for you as your instructors currently work in the fields they teach and the classrooms are smaller so you have more one-on-one time. It’s also harder to cheat that way,
