Online Colleges

[Sentience]

Because of some issues I have been dealing with, attending conventional classes where I have to go somewhere at a certain time is often challenging for me. I am looking for an online college that is fully accredited (no McColleges offering fake degrees).

I am thinking I would like to get a bachelors in nutrition so I can become a registered dietitian. I am also interested in health related courses in general.

Does anyone else have experience with online colleges?

 

[Cyc]

I'm not sure where you live, but in Canada most Universities offer online programs. Now you may have a few in-class hours here and there, but you can spend the majority of your time learning at home.

There is one in particular in Alberta (Athabasca) that specializes in online degrees. But yes, please make sure they're accredited and well respected. Many schools nowadays will mail you a piece of paper for the right price.

 

[Sentience]

I have heard people claim that online colleges will just mail you a degree if you pay them for it, but that has not been my experience at all. Every online school I have researched or encountered requires you to do real work. I have never encountered a school that just hands out degrees without requiring course work. While I cant say I am certain it has never happened, I think claims that online colleges just hand out degrees for a price is exaggerated. I think a lot of people excel in home learning environments and dont get any less of an education compared to showing up in person.

 

[Z Y G G Y]

From what I researched University of Phoenix and Devry like schools are not very well respected by other schools and employers. I thought about it, then looked online for advice and decided to go with the regular schools, even if it's a lot more commitment on my part.

There are respectable schools that have complete online degrees thou, like CyC said. They are harder to find and if u search for an online program will probably be lost w/i the amount of not so respectable programs.

Do an online search.

 

[Sentience]

Yeah, I wouldnt go to Devry or University of Phoenix.

Im dealing with a chronic illness, so traditional education isnt a good option for me. I need to be able to complete a degree from home.

 

[Jerry Atrick]

I would see if any regular universities offer online degree programs. When I left high school I attended an out of state college and dropped out my senior year. 8 years later I finished my degree ONLINE through the same college.

I know most colleges offer online courses, but I'm not sure if they have entire degree programs to be offered. Just look at some university websites, the name of the department at my college was "The Center for Distance and Independent Study". If you can't find anything online, call them up and ask.

Good luck.

 

[Sentience]

Thanks.

What is anyone's opinion of Kaplan University? I hear the nutrition and dietetics program it fulfill the requirement to begin your internship to become a registered dietitian. It might not be as prestigious but it is regionally accredited. Has anyone heard anything good or bad about it?

 

[Cyc]

The great thing about taking a dietitian program online, is that you can do it at home, unshowered, in your underwear with a big bowl of Cheetos.

 

[Sentience]

Im a health nut actually. Unfortunately I am a health nut with auto-immune problems. Its not fair. When you live and eat like I do you are supposed to be the picture of perfect health. At least I look healthy...

I think I would be great at counseling people who have special dietary needs. I not only know about what its like to find the right foods for Celiac and Crohns, but I also know tons about herbs and supplements. I think I could really help people and cover stuff that their doctors cant get to.

 

[Cyc]

Then I see your reasoning for taking an online degree. Packed lecture halls full of people coughing and sneezing are cesspools of germs.

 

[Sentience]

Actually, my immune system is really strong. Im not immune deficient, but my immune system attacks my own healthy cells. If anything my immunity is too strong and over active. Kind of like the US when we go to war. My immune system uses shock and awe and destroys a lot of innocent bystanders and infrastructure along the way.

Sometimes I cant sleep and sometimes I am either in a lot of pain or having other issues that make me not able to get to my classes on a rigid schedule. Completing the work on my own schedule and watching the lectures at my own convenience is ideal for somebody who has my limitations.

 

[Z Y G G Y]

check this out:

Penn State Online

Penn State seems like a reputable school. I'm not 100% but almost positive it's one of the better schools in the US. It's also not extremely expensive and they have very reputable staff teaching the courses.

From what they state the diploma u get is exactly the same as the one u'd get from going in physically. No one will know the difference in case some people discriminate against online education. It seems like this program will be as rigorous as traditional education if not more so.

 

[Z Y G G Y]

Thanks.

What is anyone's opinion of Kaplan University? I hear the nutrition and dietetics program it fulfill the requirement to begin your internship to become a registered dietitian. It might not be as prestigious but it is regionally accredited. Has anyone heard anything good or bad about it?

I personally would not spend the money on an online school that only offers online classes. They are not as respected by employers. Most programs can be found through regular schools. I would only go with those from doing some research and Kaplan is an online school so I would not put my time and money into that school. But that's just me. Ur choice is the one that works for u.

It would be a very good idea to find someone who has actually finished a program in nutrition from an online school and has gotten an internship and then employment. If internships and employers will take traditional schools ahead of ur school it's not worth it for u as it's already competitive to get an internship in nutrition as it is. U don't need anything hindering ur chances as u might not get an internship. I know people who have not gotten internships after finishing nutrition schools. Each internship weights in different factors and if they look down on online schools u might never get an internship. Dunno if it's true, but it's definitely something to think about.

 

[Sentience]

Unfortunately Penn State doesnt offer an online Bachelors in dietetics, only an Associates. Bachelors is the minimum requirement to become a registered dietician.

 

[Z Y G G Y]

Eastern Michigan University is a regular school which offers nutrition (BS level) and dietetics (MS level) online degrees. Look into it.

Kaplan is 63,000 for the degree. That's a shit load of money to spend on a degree u r not sure will be well respected and will get u where u need to go.

EMU Link
From doing some reading the EMU program really seems reputable and well put together. I'd say that's ur best bet as opposed to going with Kaplan. U'll get a degree from a regular school and it will propably cost u less. U states u'll get tuition rates that are the same as in state students which is usually cheap.