Online Master's Degrees

What is the concensus on an online degree? Has anyone gotten one? I know in many cases, the degree says the name of the university, but not that it was completed online.

It seems like a great way to work on a degree while keeping your day job and/or auditioning, since you log on whenever you want.

My concern is how seriously they are taken in the marketplace.

Anyone?

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Thank you!

I'm looking at an MA in International Affairs/Diplomacy.

There's so much waiting around in the acting profession, that I'm getting anxious to be working on something else.

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I completed both of my masters degrees while working full-time and I now teach graduate programs at night. I highly recommend traditional degree programs. There is much more to be learned and experienced through in-class interaction with professors and peers. That's not to say that you can't also take a few courses on-line as using both methods is often allowable in many degree programs.

university of phoenix is well thought of but i found them to be v. expensive by comparison.

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I have a MA in International Affairs. I don't think an online course study is appropriate for this field of study. Its really important that you interact personally with high level practitioners in this field during your course work. This can only come from a well-respected institution with teachers that are well connected with such professionals. In this field of study, its also important that you do internships, or have some practical experience while going to school. Unless you already work in the field, an online course will not give you this kind of access. Many times internships are found through school or professors. Its really the only way to get a good start on a career in the field and build up credentials. Practical work in the non-profit and public realms are desirable. I have many friends that have this degree and did not do internships as part of their curriculum and have yet to find jobs even 2 years after getting the degree. You will be competing with people who went to universities, interacted face to face with professionals in the field, while doing 3-4 internships both in the public and private sectors. It can get pretty competitive after graduation like most specialized fields.

On the other hand, if you want to do this as learning for learning's sake, I say go for it. But if you want a career in this specialized field, don't pursue this option.

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Singer, call the New York State Department of Education in Albany and ask for someone who can give you information on getting a teaching certificate through the "alternate route". They will be able to tell you what course work you will need. Many courses from your undergrad and grad degrees MAY fufill the teacher certification requirements. You can just take grad courses without going for a terminal degree.

Ooh! That's different. I know someone whose old Israeli undergrad degree and MLS helped her get credit for a New Jersey teaching certification. And she was working at the time, too. So it's doable. :)

I know exactly how to do that in North Carolina Bway, but I have been too busy with school and work full time to even think about teaching again here. Good luck to you with it, I'm sure the info is out there itching to be scratched up the surface. (stupid attempt to keep the metaphor alive was bad, I should have nixed it)

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The attempt is appreciated, Pengy.
I'm sure it's possible, I guess I just expected the information to be closer to the surface. God knows you don't get much help if you call a school's admin and bless you if you think you're going to get a program coordinator or department head on the phone. We'll see!

Pengy,
Thanks! I'm so glad you're back. I actually just fired off an e-mail to the contact listed on that page. I'd heard of the alternative route (there's ways to actually being teaching since I already have a masters - with supervision - provisionally) and now it seems I can apply for this track.

Pengy, I think you just hit on something. Cheno is indeed plotting a vicious coup.

Thanks for the kind words.

Audition, schmaudition. I subscribe to the Robbiej school of getting cast: you work that street hard enough, the producers will hire ya.