Looking for advice getting an online degree

[dashdriver]

Well guys and gals, i've put it off long enough. I've been saving money the past couple of years for earning my degree. Currently i'm a first officer at a regional, so attending class as a normal person just isn't going to work. I've done some research about some online degrees offered by Utah Valley State and Everglades University. I was wondering if anyone here has received there degree or is currently working on one through an online program. If so which school, program, what your getting a degree in, how it's working out for you. Any advice on what to look for and getting headed in the right direction would be much appreciated.

[TheWife]

My husband got his degree at UVSC soon to be UVU. I think the topic has come up many times, so it might be easier to do a search for it and find the previous threads. I think what most people say about UVSC is that it's too easy, but personally I find that to be a good thing

[dashdriver]

If you don't mind me asking, what did he think about it? How long did it take him to complete?

[mojo6911]

Embry Riddle also has an online program that is VERY affordable, especially when you compare it to the campus rates.

[dashdriver]

I've looked at them as well. Just wondering, did you attend their online program or Prescott/Daytona location?

[mojo6911]

Originally Posted by dashdriver

I've looked at them as well. Just wondering, did you attend their online program or Prescott/Daytona location?

I went to an ERAU extended campus, which is a lot cheaper than the main campuses, as well.

[GalaxyIFE]

I also did ERAU and it wasn't bad. I took as many as 4 classes at a time while flying A LOT!!!! It wasn't the easiest thing ever, but not bad. I am doing my master's online now with Webster University. It has been pretty easy, but some classes are really busy while others aren't as bad. If I were to do again, I would have done my BS at Webster or similar school and gotten a degree in something other than aviation. That is the main reason I am getting the master's...and it has nothing to do with aviation.

[fly4food84]

If you don't mind me asking how much does ERAU get for their online bachelor's degree program?

I'm just curious as to how it compares to their Master's. I was quoted $40,000 which is waaay too much.

[grnclvrs]

Originally Posted by fly4food84

If you don't mind me asking how much does ERAU get for their online bachelor's degree program?

I'm just curious as to how it compares to their Master's. I was quoted $40,000 which is waaay too much.

I just finished my bachelor's degree with riddle online. They gave me 51 credits for an ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI, A&P, and 1 type rating. They also allow you to transfer in credit from a community college. I transferred 36 credits. They only require you to take 30 credits from riddle to get your degree. The current cost is $221 per credit hour. I would suggest signing up for online classes at a community college near you and getting the core classes out of the way. Much cheaper in the long run. Currently classes at St. Petersburg College in the Tampa area are around $85 per credit hour. You could probably find cheaper schools, though.

[cfii2007]

Originally Posted by dashdriver

Well guys and gals, i've put it off long enough. I've been saving money the past couple of years for earning my degree. Currently i'm a first officer at a regional, so attending class as a normal person just isn't going to work. I've done some research about some online degrees offered by Utah Valley State and Everglades University. I was wondering if anyone here has received there degree or is currently working on one through an online program. If so which school, program, what your getting a degree in, how it's working out for you. Any advice on what to look for and getting headed in the right direction would be much appreciated.

Obtaining internet access would be a good place to start.

[GalaxyIFE]

Originally Posted by cfii2007

Obtaining internet access would be a good place to start.

That sir is real helpful to the guy.

I also concur on the transfer of credits. I was shy of 60 (the max they will give you for "work experience" which is aviation related stuff). Again, there are many different programs out there...perhaps consider a degree in something OTHER than aviation. It's not like we have furloughs and airlines tanking by the day!

[fly4food84]

Originally Posted by grnclvrs

I just finished my bachelor's degree with riddle online. They gave me 51 credits for an ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI, A&P, and 1 type rating. They also allow you to transfer in credit from a community college. I transferred 36 credits. They only require you to take 30 credits from riddle to get your degree. The current cost is $221 per credit hour.

That's a lot of credits given to you! $221 is "eh". It's $386 for a Master's in Aerospace Science. I only wanted to do it to give me a little something to do, but I said the hell with that!

[kellwolf]

I'm doing the ERAU online thing, and I'm about three classes shy of being done. One of those is CLEP-able since it's English Comp (I CLEPed a TON of classes and saved hundreds of dollars that way). Almost every credit I had from Mississippi State transferred, and I was able to get credit for my PPL and IR when I enrolled, and I've been getting credit for the other ratings as I went. I didn't even THINK about sending in a copy of my ATP when I get that. That could potentially finish it off depending on how they look at it.

[meritflyer]

I know several guys who did their BS at Mountain State. They have a deal with Cessna and will transfer around 50 credits for your certificates at no charge.

[E_Dawg]

Did the ERAU thing. Took as many as 4 classes at once while working at a freight company then regional airline. To tell you the truth it didn't require much more than a few hours a week, except during midterms and finals. Hardest part is staying motivated to do what little work is actually required. Obviously all tests are going to be open book multiple choice (maybe a few essay Qs) since it's all online. Overall a great edumacation. You do get out what you put in though, I'd just rather go to the library and read something truly interesting vs. something you're required to study. Well, I can check 'the box' anyways, and it's probably your only option if you're going to work a simultaneous airline schedule.

[Nihon_Ni]

My wife and I are both working on graduate degrees online. There's a lot of reading and writing. Tons! Lots of books to read and papers to write. (I wrote over 200 pages in my first class.) I guess that's the tradeoff for classroom participation. For us, the flexibility that online degree programs offer is perfect. My wife has set times she has to participate in conferences and due dates each week for various assignments, but my degree doesn't -- for me everything is due the last day of the semester. You may want to ask about any required times that you must be online.

[TheWife]

Originally Posted by dashdriver

If you don't mind me asking, what did he think about it? How long did it take him to complete?

It's hard to say how long because he didn't do full time credits every semester. He could have had it done pretty fast if he had, but there were a few semesters he focused more on flying, and then a few he focused more on school. For our situation, online was easier (with jobs and kids), than going to the classroom. You have to be disciplined though, and make sure you set aside the time you need to do it and don't procrastinate to the last minute.

[Fly_Unity]

Im working on my degree through UVSC. The first two years wasn't bad, but the upper classes are way more time consuming with alot of writing to do. Very valuable courses in my opinion if you try and get something out of it.

My advice if I had to do it over, is to do the general education courses first instead of being like me and doing all the "fun" ones first.

[BigGuyFlying]

I just finished my AA in Homeland Security today at Keiser University. Absolutely love the school, and the setup of it. You do one class per month and get your three credits. They are an regionally accredited university as well. I'm planning on moving on for my Bachelors in a month.

[dashdriver]

Hey everybody thanks for the information, it's greatly appreciated.

[Ramp Romeo]

Hey dashdriver....

If you're a Phoenix resident, you might want to look into Rio Salado college online. You'll get the Maricopa County resident pricing. I believe it's like $65 per credit.

Granted, they are a CC, so they only do Associates, but they have a program where you can transfer the credits to another Maricopa College toward a BA and not loose a single credit. (Talk to the advisors for the specifics).

The cool thing is that they offer in class, class & online; as well as online only classes. Most of the online classes start every few weeks or so (No need to wait for the next semester).

The only reason I know anything about them is because when I worked for Cox Communications, I earned 13 credits for simply training for my position.

At the very least, it's food for thought.


One more "Option" you may eventually look into is the CLEP. (Sounds like something you pick up from that sleezy F/A )
Basically, CLEP is a program where you study a particullar topic at your own pace, and when you feel confident in the subject matter you go to one of many colleges, take a simple computerised test, and presto, you have college credit for that course. Many colleges accept CLEP credit toward you degree, others only accept certain exams only. But if you do enroll in a regular school, this option may help speed the degree, at least a little bit. Heck, even some online schooles accept CLEP credit.

So... a Dash Pilot, out of Phoenix huh?
Mesa, Great Lakes or someone else?

[Hypersonic_Wings]

This CLEP program sounds really interesting and flexible. I've been thinking about pursuing an online degree myself.

[Wolfy]

Oh, CLEPs are amazing. I got 12 credits in two weeks. I put in about 10 hours of work total. That includes taking the test.

[pedro]

Originally Posted by Ramp Romeo

<snip>
If you're a Phoenix resident, you might want to look into Rio Salado college online. You'll get the Maricopa County resident pricing. I believe it's like $65 per credit.

I am doing my Associates in Science at Rio Salado and its working out great. The only snag so far is that I have had to do all my testing at one of their facilities. I haven't seen a way to actually take the midterm and final exams online. Still a great way to go about getting your core edumacation.