OT: Who knows anything about online Master's Degrees?

[Grateful11]

I was just looking into online Master's degrees for my son Jacob. He graduated from Pfeiffer University
this past spring with a double major in Pre-Med and Biology and a minor in Chemistry with honors
in 4 years. 3.6 GPA. I'm bragging on him a little, sorry. I noticed Harvard and many other colleges seem
to be offering more and more online classes. He did manage to get through 4 years at private college
and wound up with only $12K in student loans because of scholarships and grants.

Do these online degrees carry any clout?

Some of y'all might remember this thread:
Well he did it! A 4 year Full Tuition Scholarship!

http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1...msg-253276

I'm trying to get him and that awesome brain of his back into learning mode. He's been through a lot this
summer, losing his brother, they were like twins, like glue, they seem to hold each other together. Jobs
in his field without at least a Masters are probably going to be tough to find. His plan since High School
was to be a Family Physician but after shadowing a Dr. for while right out of college this spring he decided
it wasn't for him, he needs to be in a learning or research environment, he says he could see himself
being a professor someday.

[SteveO]

I think like everything else, it depends on the source. There is a chasm of difference between, say, Harvard or a well-respected state university/college/private college vs. the ubiquitous programs we've all seen. To me, reputable school = fine, even great. School you never heard of or known diploma mill = not good or worse.

You didn't ask, but it probably would be good for him to work in his chosen profession for a year or two while he sorts out what he wants. He has been through so much and may even need that time to find his bearings again. Congrats on his success, it reflects on you. And I am so very sorry for your loss.

[mattkime]

you're not going to impress anyone in academia with an online degree. research is all about who you know and have worked with.

[abevilac]

I have to agree w/ mattkime -- on‌line = not so great. Maybe, if he gets a part-time job/internship this fall, he could try out one class online -- that would show that he brain is still engaged in his desired field of study, but for the real deal, get thee to a university.

[rz]

mattkime wrote:
you're not going to impress anyone in academia with an online degree. research is all about who you know and have worked with.

:agree:

I was lucky in that my employer essentially paid for my Master's Degree. I only had to pay for books. If he can get his foot in the door somewhere where they're willing to pay for it, that would be the best course.

Online degrees are best suited, IMHO, to people who want to advance within their own organization into a position that "requires" the degree. But trying to get a first job, or when trying to move to a new job somewhere else, I don't think they help. In fact, it might actually hurt his chances.

[anonymouse1]

An online degrees are good if you just need a credential.

[August West]

There are legitimate universities which offer online masters that do not reflect the online status in the degree or transcript. Can't be recommended for lab research obviously, but in other situations it is comparable to class situations. Even in an on-campus situation, much, even a majority, of the work is outside the classroom. That said, I personally enjoy face to face interaction.

[TLB]

As others had said, plans for a research or academic career really rule out an online degree. Even the name schools distinguish between their residence and online/distance programs. I think "stigma" will fade in a decade or so, but right now it would be a hindrance in these fields.

[Grace62]

Grateful11 wrote:
His plan since High School
was to be a Family Physician but after shadowing a Dr. for while right out of college this spring he decided
it wasn't for him, he needs to be in a learning or research environment, he says he could see himself
being a professor someday.

Congrats to Jacob on his success at Pfeiffer in a very challenging field!!
Sounds like he'll do well in whatever he decides to pursue. I personally think that college professor would be a dream job, and there's always a demand for the sciences. We need to train a lot more doctors and researchers in the US.

Hope you and family are doing OK.

[digby]

I was Pre-Med and Biology (BS back in the 70s). I've done fine without a Master's.

(...of course, I'm an art teacher now...)