<p>What do you guys think about masters programs that are entirely online? I was looking at Penn State University's World Campus program - I do like that they have a 5-day intensive summer option so you can meet with faculty and students while taking a condensed course, but the rest of the program is entirely online.</p>
<p>I'm considering getting a masters degree in human resources - I'm currently an HR manager with just over a year of experience. I'm not looking to apply until next year, which will give me just over 2 years of work experience in a relevant field. My goal was eventually to pursue a PhD, but that goal is being pushed further ahead in my future due to undergraduate loan obligations. This online program seems like something I could work around my current job, which is great.</p>
<p>However, for this particular field (or perhaps business/management in general), will an online degree hinder my job prospects? I suppose I would just list Penn State on my resume and employers may not know it was online, and I have full-time, paid work experience in place of internships in the same field. </p>
<p>I generally value physical class structures, but in my case I think this might be a good idea. Any thoughts? Any feedback from PSU World Campus in general (quality of online instruction, accessibility of professors through e-mail or by phone, etc.)?</p>
<p>You’re actually in Pennsylvania, so saying Penn State would have additional cache if you intended upon continuing in the area. If you just say PSU on your resum</p>
<p>I didn’t even consider putting this question in the PSU category since it was graduate school related, but perhaps I’ll post it there as well. </p>
<p>I certainly wouldn’t lie about it being an online program if I were asked. I don’t <em>think</em> it would matter as much since I have work experience in the field, and therefore would be able to apply what I was learning as I was learning it. I assume I would be able to complete the degree while still working since they state the average student in that program only takes about 2 courses per semester.</p>
<p>NovaLynnx, It’s been a couple years since you created this thread so I’m hoping you can provide some insight -</p>
<p>I’ve been accepted Penn State’s “World Campus” as well as Northeastern (I would be taking online classes there as well). I’ll be transferring in with my AA and will be earning my BS in Political Science. My goal then is to go to law school, which will obviously be an “on-campus” endeavor.</p>
<p>How has your experience been with the World Campus courses? How does it compare to on-campus learning? I’d appreciate any insight or advice you can give me, as student experience with either program is going to factor into my decision on which school to go to.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>@raneym305 - I never did pursue PSU World Campus. My goal has always been to pursue a PhD, and I decided that doing a masters program was just not worth the cost. I am glad I made that decision - a year after this post I was offered a much better position, and I didn’t need the advanced degree to get me there. </p>
<p>I think that PSU will have a better reputation than some other online programs, such as Phoenix or Walden. I’m not sure how it compares to Northeastern specifically. And for the quality of instruction, unfortunately I cannot comment. Was your AA earned traditionally or online as well? </p>
<p>I have taken undergraduate online classes, but I really do prefer the classroom structure. Some of the best online courses I took had a lot of interaction through message forums and partner critiques, while the worst only assigned quizzes and had little or no interaction. But this varies by professor, not necessarily by program.</p>
<p>I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful. As you can see I wasn’t able to get much feedback about PSU World Campus myself. Maybe check the PSU forum like the other poster suggested - there may be students who have taken online courses there who can shed some more light on the topic.</p>
<p>@NovaLynnx , thanks for the quick response! Congrats on the career move!</p>
<p>I earned my AA from a traditional college. I started out at a state school, and once I realized that I had no idea what I was doing, I transferred to a local community college for a couple quarters and earned my AA… That was seven years ago.</p>
<p>Right now I have a great job, one that I’m technically not qualified for, with a national IT Consulting firm. Although my lack of education hasn’t been an issue so far (I’ve received seven promotions since starting with my company three years ago), we just went through a huge merger and I fear that it may pose as a hindrance when I go for my next promotion.</p>
<p>Regardless, it really is a blessing in disguise as I’ve had the intention of going back to school since I decided I wanted a career in political consulting two years ago. But that was also around the same time I was beginning to make headway in my current career, and being the sole provider for my wife and daughter, I was about to look a gift horse in the mouth.</p>