Online colleges with frequently aired commercials are easily laughed out. No punch line needed. But what the heck, I got a few.
“Online degrees are like Kroger Brand products: inexpensive and convenient to everybody. Matter of fact, when you’re done grocery shopping, you can visit Everest University’s campus right next door without even having to move your car because they share the same parking lot.”
“Attending Devry University isn’t much different than Hogwarts. First, they’ll send you an acceptance letter in the mail without you even having to apply. Also, you’ll be shamed for telling any muggle you’re enrolled. Boast your school pride freely amongst other “Devrians” of course. Not sure what nicknames they’ve garnished however. Lacking a mascot, they are most distinguished by a warped Delta logo for a crest.”
“And Kaplan. Oh goodness. What is there to say about Kaplan University that doesn’t relate to Kim Kardashian’s ex, Chris Humphries? Only a reality show could boast their career. After dropping out a relationship with them, students realize how much better they can do with someone else.”
Here’s a good one. “Q: How did the Phoenix Alumni earn his degree? A: He downloaded the app.”
Okay, okay. Enough bashing I suppose. Hopefully, you shared a laugh or two.
I’m not as self-righteous as I may have come off. Looking back on my college career, I’m definitely grateful for having chosen to attend a traditional campus, but not so much for reasons that are purely academic. If people chose universities such as the ones I just ragged on for purely academia reasons, I guess that’d be a plus for the institution.
Earning your degree online is becoming more popular. Many prestigious universities are offering classes online and even degree programs. GA Tech for instance offers online master’s degree programs in a few different branches of engineering.
Online classes are more convenient to the working individual and offered at a lower cost. GA Tech’s “M.S. tuition for 2012-2013 is $1,100 per semester credit hour, plus a $107 semester technology fee, and a $194/semester Institute fee.” That’s a pro in many ways. Notice you aren’t required to pay many fees you might wish to opt out of. And if you’re an out-of-state student, you are not subject to out of state tuition fees. Wow!
Needless to say, taking an exam with your toes buried in the sand somewhere in St. Thomas is much more comfortable than in a classroom with a proctor surveying the class for any academic dishonesty. Not that you would switch over to your stash of notes of course. We’re better than that in college.
So, despite having mocked commercial schools, would you consider GSU incorporating similar online degree programs?
Some may argue online degrees devalue the structure of a class. Professors are more capable of stimulating your mind, provoking critical thinking, and can better gage what students learn. While others believe lecture classes are worthless.
Everything is moving towards the internet already. The bulk of the work done nowadays is turning in assignments online, retrieving class notes online, and communicating with the professor online. That’s truly why so many students are present only on exam day. Sometimes, you may wonder “how did they even know today was an exam? They haven’t been to class in 5 weeks.”
Guess where the syllabus is posted? You got it.
