Advanced degrees online
Advanced degrees online
(OP)
I know this question has come up before, but I'd like to hear some objective opionions about pursuing advanced degrees online.
I've been wanting to get my MS in structural engineering for a while now but my options have been limited due to a lack of any nearby colleges or universities offering these types of courses.
Today, I recieved an e-mail from Eng-Tips describing an online degree program offered by Norwich University. Below is a link to their brocure:
http: //www.geoc ities.com/ cabinfever 456/MCE_br ochure.pdf
I'd be interested to hear your opinions. It seems like a convienient way to get the degree, but I'm apprehensive about what appears to be a lack of flexability in the coursework (when compared to traditional programs). Also, in my experience professor-student interaction is key to a good education, especially when pursuing a graduate degree, and that this interaction would be limited when taking online courses.
I've been wanting to get my MS in structural engineering for a while now but my options have been limited due to a lack of any nearby colleges or universities offering these types of courses.
Today, I recieved an e-mail from Eng-Tips describing an online degree program offered by Norwich University. Below is a link to their brocure:
http:
I'd be interested to hear your opinions. It seems like a convienient way to get the degree, but I'm apprehensive about what appears to be a lack of flexability in the coursework (when compared to traditional programs). Also, in my experience professor-student interaction is key to a good education, especially when pursuing a graduate degree, and that this interaction would be limited when taking online courses.





RE: Advanced degrees online
I would suggest you stick with reputable and well established engineering universities that have on-line degree or certificate programs in engineering (The Ohio State University or University of IL, etc). These universities have the type of on-line program you are looking for to further your education.
RE: Advanced degrees online
I was able to enter the program at the same university where I earned my BS so I was already familiar with most of my professors and their teaching style. Teacher-student interaction isn't as important in the graduate program because you are expected to learn the material more independently and develop your own thoughts.
All of the programs available will be different, some very drastically. You need to look for a program at a university that offers ABET accredited undergraduate degrees because the graduate programs are mostly taught by the same professors. You will probably find very few "accredited" distance learning graduate programs because ABET only accredits undergraduate or graduate programs, but not both. Universities will usually accredit their undergrad programs because they have a lot more students in them. Check out as many programs as you can and see which one fits your needs and life circumstances better. i.e. some programs offer videotapes, some completely online, some are teleconference. There are more and more "top" universities offering distance learning degrees so do some research.
RE: Advanced degrees online
RE: Advanced degrees online
RE: Advanced degrees online
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Advanced degrees online
The fact that the program is new (that is, no one has graduated from it yet) bothers me a little. I also asked if I could make a visit to the campus to talk to some of the instructors and get a general feel for the program - I got the feeling that I'm the only guy asking to do this based on the awkward response I got.
I hope that you'll share any info. you gather on this with me as I'll do the same.
RE: Advanced degrees online
It's what you get out of it.
Some on-line schools are better than others, you need to check into them.
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Advanced degrees online
corus
RE: Advanced degrees online
I took University of Alaska AAnchorage Arctic Engineering CE603 online a few years ago. UAA uses Blackboard, I had enough bandwidth for Audio, and video at home and my office, but ran into problems when I stayed at hotels.
Blackboard is a good program, though expensive for the schools to license. I have utilzed Blackboard both as an Instructor and Student, I prefer it over WebCT. My wife a Professor prefers WebCT. Interact http:
The technical support from the school is important when tacking an online course.
Vita sine litteris mors est.
RE: Advanced degrees online
http://www.degreeboard.com/content/
This site is one of the better websites for information on Distance Learning, and accreditation issues.
Vita sine litteris mors est.
RE: Advanced degrees online
I did ask about how the material was relayed to us, and it varies from web-based videos to PowerPoint notes, just depends on the professor. At almost 26K for the 18-month degree, the cost of the program is a little steep for most companies to shell out the money.
The program is based on the recommended ASCE guidelines, but was unsure of what shows on the degree like M.S. or a dual degree of MS/MBA.
RE: Advanced degrees online
I've given the Norwich program a little thought and have decided I want something with a little more flexability in course selection and one that has a little more history
If anyone out there has personal experience in gaining an online degree I would be interested in hearing what they thought of the courses.
Corus, that goecities website is my own. The brocure isn't available for download without first giving a bunch of info on the website so I posted it there for viewing.
RE: Advanced degrees online
There was no difference in instruction, course materials, work load, and deadlines between the two methods.
Never tried an online course. Maybe I will. Sounds like it could be better than a video course.
RE: Advanced degrees online
My university does however have another take on online courses. All of our graduate classes, and some undergrad, are digitally recorded for the purpose of transmission to other state colleges and universities. The full class is also available for streaming or downloading from a university site. I can actually download my classes and watch them any time I want to in the event that I miss one. I could watch online the whole semester and only show up for tests and to make sure my homework is in ontime. This makes it much easier to earn a graduate degree when you work full time but it isn't as impersonal or removed from the classroom as a typical online course. If a university in your area offers a similar set-up I would go for that any day over an online degree.
RE: Advanced degrees online
Is it pursuit of knowledge? Want another trophy to add to your collection? Want to "look better" in a resume compared to those who don't hold advanced degrees? Want to climb the career ladder faster?
People pursue advanced degrees for many reasons. But if you are pursuing additional knowledge related to your career, there are many sites available online where you can gain information for FREE (Filter out the junk though).
If an accredited degree is absolutely necessary for whatever reason, I would recommend attending an accredited university that offers night classes. Like UcfSE, I would much prefer "live" lectures with human interaction over online or video courses.
RE: Advanced degrees online
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Advanced degrees online
Videos, web learning - better but you are still learning alone and there is that important football game on the telly tonight . . .
Maybe if you created a local group of students who would meet EVERY week at a certain time/place to help each other and discuss/complain about the text, notes or prof.
RE: Advanced degrees online
RE: Advanced degrees online
Several other Florida schools have engineering programs like this and GA Tech as well. The teachers at UF are very understanding about turning in late homework and rescheduling tests due to conflicts with work. Tests are administered through an approved proctor, I have a colleague at work that does them and have had a supervisor proctor too.
Online degrees are definitely doable if you have the right type of personality for them. There are people out there it probably wouldn't work for.
RE: Advanced degrees online
RE: Advanced degrees online
You can buy BS and MS, Phds whatever title you like. Employers rarely check and even if they do and you get fired, chances are they will be afraid to tell your future prospective employers. If they do tell, they are afraid they will get sued.
A fun thing to do is just check that EE-OP info only box that you are black. Hell even if you look white, as long as you swear you are black no one, and I mean no one will mess with you. Even if you did buy your degree at a mill and they can prove it.
Now if you really want the engineering knowledge. Pay the high tuition at a DOE accredited university and put your time in.
RE: Advanced degrees online
Rob Campbell, PE
Finite Monkeys - www.livejournal.com/users/robcampbell
RE: Advanced degrees online
RE: Advanced degrees online
RE: Advanced degrees online
RE: Advanced degrees online
Back to topic, I have spoken to Norwich a few more times, and as previously stated (by someone else) I would not recommend it until they iron out all the problems, that will inevitable happen with a new program. I haven taken both traditional and online video courses and find them both adequate, and think if the individual were disciplined enough, either, or both, would be a good way to get your MS.
Last thing, anyone know of an online Bridge Design course? My university does not offer a course in Bridge Design.
RE: Advanced degrees online
RE: Advanced degrees online
Relationships with big-time professors have really paid off for me over the years. I know several other MS people who did non-thesis options or otherwise didn't work with professors enough to make good relationships. This kind of thing can be a big deal over the long haul. I would think that this would be far worse from a remote location. I suppose it's possible that you know somehow that these things won't/don't matter in your career.
It's definitely not the quality of instruction that matters in this case. Most of my teachers absolutely stink and I end up teaching myself out of the books anyway.
DBD