Online Class

[MotorVib]

I have been doing some looking over the last year for different masters programs and I have found a few online programs (Master of Engineering Systems) and some of them look like they would be good programs. My question is how good are the degrees and would they be worth any after I am done with them? The one that I was looking at was Penn State online Master in engineering Systems.

I would like to hear from other engineers what they think about the different online programs that are out there.

Chris

"In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics." Homer Simpson

 

[bk19702]

My personal feeling is an online degree should be worth as much as a traditional degree provided it's from a legit institution and not one of these fly by night outfits like University of Phoenix. In actuality, the online degree may be more difficult since it may require more work on your end (no direct instructor contact, etc.); this may be looked at as a positive in the eyes of HR folks down the line. Just my $ .02

 

[Mr168]

Do a search on here. There have been several threads that have covered the pros and cons of online degrees.

 

[xnuke]

MotorVib,

Sorry I'm not going to answer the real question you asked, but I think you might be interested in this tangent.

Regardless of whether or not the program is delivered by distance-learning methods or on campus, please be sure you know what the program is teaching and in what direction your degree may lead you. If it isn't what you want, look elsewhere.

For example, the program you mentioned is a Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering. Do you know what systems engineering is? I happen to be friends with the program chair in systems engineering at Portland State University, another school that has that particular program (also available online). I'm not trying to advertise his program, but systems engineering may not be what you think. Do a little research on the major. I did when I was considering graduate schools. I was surprised to learn what systems engineering was, and I didn't want the career path it might have led me to. I wanted to stay more in the technical design on projects rather than project engineering or management, and I didn't see that particular graduate program helping me meet my goals.

It's kind of ironic that both schools offer the same program, with the same delivery methods, and have the same initials.

xnuke
"Live and act within the limit of your knowledge and keep expanding it to the limit of your life." Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged.
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[cvg]

as mentioned, this has been discussed, try the link below

google search for online degree