online degree

[kgain25]

You best move would be to enroll in a college and attend the classes and not sit at home in your skivies doing something on a computer. Not a great way to learn.

I have to disagree. Online classes are a great way for some people to earn or finish a degree. I can view a presentation online and get just as much out of it, as I would sitting in a class. It definitely take more self motivation, but having done both online, and actual classes...I prefer online.

[Chief_Roy]

I have to disagree. Online classes are a great way for some people to earn or finish a degree. I can view a presentation online and get just as much out of it, as I would sitting in a class. It definitely take more self motivation, but having done both online, and actual classes...I prefer online.

I agree. In fact one recent study showed that students who lived on campus were increasingly still signing up for online classes because they liked the flexibility. I earned my degree through an online program at a major university after earning my AA at a brick and mortar school. I can tell you that an online class can be a lot hard than a traditional one and an online degree program can require a lot more work and dedication. Additionally, some learn better that way. I know that despite some classes being very difficult in an online environment that I found I learned and retained better that way.

To IllinoisFF3, your question depends on what school you're talking about. Most accredited and "above board" schools will not let you "test out" on very many courses. There is going to be a maximum amount of credits they'll let you transfer in and a minimum you're going to have to take through the school. After all, they want to count on you for at least a certain amount of tuition.

Now, for timing and cost. If you already have an associates degree, "most" online bachelor's programs can be completed in 2-4 years. The reason it's so varied is that it depends on how much you want to put in to it. I knew people in my program who did it in just under 2 years, but that was basically a full load of classes. Most people can't do that if they're working full time. It took me 3.5 years to complete mine. That was because I usually only took one class per semester and just occasionally took two at one time. I found it to be a fairly relaxing pace and class load with my full time job and family. The week's classwork would be posted on a Sunday night and I'd have it done by Tuesday (the work being due on Sunday). That would give me Tuesday through Sunday not having to worry about school work at all. At times it felt like I was taking a lazy pace, but it suited me. Your mileage may vary.

Cost can vary widely. My program was through a fairly prestigious (i.e. expensive) and nationally accredited university. Those 3.5 years cost me about $20K and my employer didn't reimburse me a dime. At least I got a decent tuition tax break every year.

[FiremanLyman]

It is all what you put into it when dealing with online. Anyone can open the course evals, and skim the book for answers, fudge a essay or two.

But if you take time to read, highlight and take note, you actually will gain knowledge.

While it is no where near as tough as my first degree at a "real" college, it is a great way for a person to gain some education. Honestly, if you don't keep learning, this job will leave you in the dust. All the new technologies we are getting, all the new roles we are to take on, it isn't just putting wet stuff on red stuff anymore, it is a profession.

[ctfireguy]

There's been alot of talk about guys on the job taking college level courses. I want to take it one step further. I come from a dept. that does not train (as a shift or a whole dept). So I have been taking classes from the state fire academy on my own time to try to keep up my skills. However, I find myself having trouble finding time to take academy classes and doing well in college. I am curious to see what other firefighters would or are doing in my situation.