College Online-- What am I in for?

[MIRunner]

I received my Bachelor's degree 12 years ago in Political Science from a local university. Now I have decided to go back and get my Bachelor's in Business Administation (Accounting.) I am going online at Baker College. I have 25 classes to take (I am going to try to CLEP out of 5 of them-- first test tomorrow YAY!)

So, what can I expect from an online class?? I work full time and have 2 young kids. Am I getting in over my head? Baker does 6 week classes and I'd like to possibly take 2 per quarter in the winter time so it doesn't take me 10 years to finish this up.

Thanks for your help!!

MI-Runner

[Geezer]

Expect a bunch of people to tell you a bunch of things. I would :

1) Enroll at Excelsior CLEP, DANTES, EXE, & TECEP your way to a degree in months instead of years for less that $6K

or

2) Finish your Bachelors in one of the top 25 business schools in the country for about the same or less than Baker College

example #1 University of Florida Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

example #2 University of Alabama
Home | Online Bachelors Business Degree | Academic Outreach | The University of Alabama

3) Go directly to an MBA program
Least expensive ACBSP accredited Distance Learning Programs at Chadron State College

[MIRunner]

Since my employer is reimbursing the cost of my education, I'm not really concerned about cost. And, they will not pay for CLEP or any other exams that I take... only for the actual classes and books. So, while I would like to test my way out of this degree, it doesn't make financial sense. I'm going to take the 5 Cleps that I can just for my sanity and to speed up the process a little.

I will however look at the links to U of Florida that you listed. Although I am already enrolled and ready to start at Baker next month.

What I really wanted to know was about the time commitment of an online class. I've heard to expect to spend more time at it than you would a regular "in school" class.

[Geezer]

Why not go directly to an MBA ? You can fulfill the prerequisites with a combination of CLEPS and Baker classes this semester, then move directly to an MBA program. By the end of the day you will have taken the same amount of classes and spent the same amount of time.
An MBA has more value than a BSBA.

[barcotta]

I'm with Geezer. If someone else is picking up the tab--get the MBA! This is honestly the first time I've ever heard of the approach you are describing. To answer your question--I've taken three on-line classes and none of mine approached the time required for a regular class--despite receiving the same cautionary prediction (threat) from the professors. Just the flexibility alone fixes that.

[cookderosa]

Originally Posted by MIRunner

I received my Bachelor's degree 12 years ago in Political Science from a local university. Now I have decided to go back and get my Bachelor's in Business Administation (Accounting.) I am going online at Baker College. I have 25 classes to take (I am going to try to CLEP out of 5 of them-- first test tomorrow YAY!)

So, what can I expect from an online class?? I work full time and have 2 young kids. Am I getting in over my head? Baker does 6 week classes and I'd like to possibly take 2 per quarter in the winter time so it doesn't take me 10 years to finish this up.

Thanks for your help!!

MI-Runner

Expect more writing (typing) since all of your "classroom interaction" must be typed out.
Expect some technical difficulty from time to time.
Expect to put your written work into your professor's format not your own (richtext rather than Word, etc.)
Expect that you must be a very strong independent learner- not much hand holding in online education (read it- do it)
Expect the flexibility to do your work at 2am, but also expect that you won't have the down time/holidays like on campus. (I had a 10 page paper DUE on Christmas)

Additionally, an MBA is only 36 credits away- why get another undergrad degree? Up, up, up!

[goldpaws]

I can't say I disagree with upgrading to an MBA rather than go for another degree. However, I don't know what your employer is willing to cover, and if that's all he will cover, then go for it. Any reasonably educated employer would realize that two separate degrees can be more work. Although, really, it's usually about the same about of work for most people.

Also - you say you have a political science degree. why not law school? That's one of those majors pre-law students choose. Finishing off at a real instituition is also a VERY good idea. Employers can be iffy (especially in traditional areas) about online degrees. Online courses -they can handle, but online degrees -maybe not.

Online classes stretch your time and abilities in different ways than regular classes. While regular classes start, end, and give homework, online classes are very much like constant homework. (Read section, work problems). You may find yourself doing the work in odd time slots or periodically. That's ok as long as you can keep those odd time slots consistent/not spotty. Flexibility in online courses isn't really about time at all. It's about the freedom to choose when to do it, where to do it, and how to do it.

[SimonTam]

I agree with the others who recommend you go for the MBA. There are a few MBA programs with accounting concentrations available. I'm currently enrolled at Upper Iowa University. Online Program - Extended University - Upper Iowa University

Another excellent accounting program is at Florida Atlantic University. Welcome to Florida Atlantic University and at Online Masters of Accounting Undergraduate accounting degrees are not required. You may have to take a few prerequisite accounting courses.

Another option is to get a graduate certificate in accounting. Independent study at LSU has a good one. LSU Independent and Distance Learning

[Lindagerr]

Just like classes at a B & M college online courses vary in the amount of work and time required. I can't say I am an old hand(just one online course), but when the work on my course got Extremely time consumming I looked into it. Depending on the course and the professor, I have seen everything from hardly any time or effort for an A to my case where 100 pages of textbook, two 250-500 word essays two 100-250 word essays, more side reading and Five four paragraph book evaluations were due each of the last three weeks of a 12 week course.

As a part time working mother of 3, helping my mother move in the middle of my course, I still found it difficult, but i did do it and get A-. So I would say it depends on what courses you are taking, how hard your professor/mentors are and how much time you are willing to be in Major stress mode.

I may take future online courses, but I will definetly research what others have to say about the course before i do.

Good Luck

[MIRunner]

I guess I should have explained myself better on why I am going back for my BA in Accounting. I work in the Finance area at my company. If I want to progress any further in my career, I really need a BA in Accounting. An MBA won't do it because it doesn't require enough Accounting classes. Also, for the reimbursement, I have to be in a program in line with my career path.

Thank you all for your replies. I guess I will find out for myself what this is all about... I start my first online class next month!

I also took my first CLEP today-- Financial Accounting. I don't know how I passed it because there wasn't much on the test that I actually remember studying for. In fact, I kept looking at the screen to make sure I was taking the correct test! Oh well, as they say on the forums a pass is a pass! I just hope the next test is a little easier.