Well, after reading some of the discussions here on the education board. I can only say that we are getting too caught up into the name game and accreditation game when it comes to online education. People argue if national accreditation is better then regional and vice a versa. When it comes to accreditation it depends on what you plan on doing with your degree. If you want to be a nurse, lawyer, or a counselor attending just a regional accredited degree is not enough. However, if you plan on moving on from the military and moving into a government job (GS) then having a national accredited degree is just fine. Most of us forget that if you do 20 years in the military you will be around 40 years old young. The employers who are looking at you are looking at more then your education. They are looking at your career path and the dedication you have given to the military and your education.
Most people can not afford to pay for college text books along with all those fees. Therefore, colleges like Columbia Southern, Touro University, American Military University and others are great for military members with families and bills. Most people are trying to get ahead and attending anyone of these colleges or others that are reasonably price for an enlisted member only makes since. If you are sure that having a Penn State degree is going to get you a job that can help pay off your college debt then go for it. However, we should not make people feel that they need to drive themselves crazy worrying about accreditation or stacking up debt. We have to remember that DETC accredited colleges have been doing distance learning for decades. If this was not an acceptable way then why has Notre Dame, Harvard, and Penn State jump into the online arena? The bottom line, do you homework and remember to attend a college that fits your budget and can help you accomplish your goals. In addition, if the military will not pay for it then it is probably a college you should not be attending.
From a personal perspective, I did not know six years ago that I would pursue a graduate degree. After doing extensive research on online degrees and weighing costs and program offerings, my local state university was the best option. A bachelor degree from a regionally accredited was required, which I had having completed my bachelor's through a myriad of methods: in class, correspondence, online, and ACE credits. So my only advice is not to limit yourself in the long term based on near term considerations.
Great article and I agree with the view presented. You have to find out which type of accreditation is going to work best for your situtation. There are numerous colleges both regionally and nationally accredited. I received both my AA and BS degree from regionally accredited colleges. However, when it came to my masters degree I went with a national accredited college. We all have to find what works best for our situtation. Nevertheless, we should never knock another person for their choices.
I found a college near where I grew up in Massachusetts which offers an online degree in Accounting. I have about 40 credits which I can put towards the 130 I need to graduate. Not only is the school accredited, but the Accounting Degree program is as well, which is important for the Accounting field. The school is a small business college, but has a great reputation. I am also able to finish my courses at the school if I do not finish them online before my Active Duty time is complete. I think that if you look around enough you may find other school options, besides colleges such as the Univ. of Phoenix, which may not only be accredited but also provide you with a diploma that will hold some weight in a specific career field. One thing I did notice about being a Lawyer; there are hundreds of Law Schools which will accept your Bachelors Degree no matter where it is from. There is even a Law School in Massachusetts which bases their acceptance more on your life experiences than on your prior education. Although you probably wouldn't be working for a top law firm after graduation, you will still have a pretty good job. Just keep looking, and don't settle for something if you expect more.
