I have researched the internet, i have gone to embassies and alot of online American Unveristies. The problem with them is:
Either they are too expensive (100-200 USD / month is good)
They do not offer courses outside USA (I live in Bahrain)
Or they don’t have my field of study (I want to study Software Engineering or anything related to that)
I have finished high school (Lahore board of Pakistan). Have a one year’s engineering diploma in Network Centered Computing. I have studied almost all the subjects in a regular BS degree, but have never really worked towards a degree. Have working experience of 6 years (out of which 3 were as a Sales Engineer for an IT Giant www.almoayedgroup.com).I am 27, married and about to be a daddy :).
Please help me find a institute inorder for me to get a degree. This state of “degree less ness” is not a hindrance right now in my career, but I am sure, a few years from now it will be a killer.
either go abroad to even a small but real and truly accredited 4 years college or go to a good college in Pakistan.
online courses and diplomas are not good for resumes.
at least have one degree from college.
do not ever take the whole program on line.
when harvard has started a few courses, i got to attend a lecture at my univ. by an esteemed prof in my field, from there.as he gave his key note,
he taunted on the state of amerian higher ed going business like & said something to this effect: with the advent of on-line courses, i wonder when the harvard.edu will turn into a harvard.com
( i hope u get the pun implied by him.)
it seems like fun that on line courses and degree progs aree easy and hi-tech.
my advice - still go to a real campus and study.
I totally agree with Dushwari’s take on this. While it may be ok to pursue postgraduate level studies for coursework oriented programs online, an undergraduate degree through online studies should be only pursued as the last resort. As the basis of your career portfolio, you need to showcase a robust training foundation.
I’m sure that there are local educational institutions in Bahrain with foreign University affiliations. Don’t they offer a part-time program? It is much better to pursue your undergraduate studies locally rather than online alternatives. There really is no substitute for one-on-one academic interaction with teachers and colleagues.
exactly my friends. I do not boast but I am far more better than my colleagues who are post-graduates. I just need a piece of paper that states that I have a legit degree and that I havent “bought” it. I did go through exams and follow a study program. And again, its just to get me that piece of paper…
In the real world, if you are 4.0 GPA FAST (National University) graduate and you go to an Indian Dominated multinational and tell them I am from FAST, the interviewer will be like…“yeh what a funny name for a university…”
I am not criticising real 4-year college education… its just that for people like me who wont have time to go for a four year degree, an online course is the best and i guess sometimes, the only options…
ps: If I am 21 again, I will only vote for a proper 4 year college…
Many online degree and certificate programs are more difficult than on-campus programs because they require more work and better time management skills. If you need something that is truly affordable, why don't you try doing the first 2 years of your undergraduate degree at a community college and the other 2 years at a four year institution. Your credits will be transferable, and this is much more affordable than doing all four years at a university.
I am residing in Bahrain right now. We dont have community colleges over here. Plus the whole point of online education/long distance education is that i dont HAVE to attend regular classes. Can't anybody JUST give me a link???
dude you have a very specific inquiry, not only do you want a very specific field, but also specific price ranges..which seem very unrealistic btw.
There are not too many people on these boards who have experience with distance learning let alone who know
the fees structure here is different, it goes by per credit hour, or in some cases for the entire program (essentially same data presented in a diff way) so fees/month are hard to estimate.
If it was that simple to find that info, would you not have found it on google by now already?
Well I understand your situation. Its difficult to go to full time school with commitments and do go for an online degree, I know quite a few working ppl who are doing such study ( at the open university ) and they say its worth the money and effort.
Get a online degree from a good university and then do masters from some good national or international university.
An online degree shows that u are commited even though u are working and shows that u are multitalented.
Now a days with internet and computers its a good alternative to the normal way of learning. The main thing is that u learn and not how u learn.
Good luck and tell me if u find this link interesting.
Good luck with the new baby too.
an undergrad degree is usually 40 classes or 120 credit hours. some institutions could be a little bit more.
assuming that you have a per credit hour price of $200/credit hour, its $24K for the program, the 'monthly' charge will depend on how soon you finish the program.
So if you finish a program that costs $24K in 10 years, you have $200/month fees.
Mr. Fraudia: You are right, if the information was easy to find, I would have got it googling by now... I guess a person in my position, doesn't have much choice, so i should just change the 'search criteria'. Thanks for all the help though.
SadiaB: Thanks for all the information and consideration. Mr. Fraudia does have point that if I prolong the 'degree studying' period the costs can be reduced. But with universities like the ones you have suggested and any other 'good' institutions, they want a big 'CHUNK' of the 'BENJAMINS' before even I open my first book.
Costing I guess would be something I will have to work out on...
Yo!
I'am from bahrain too!
I am also looking for a quick bachelor degree. Actually I found some university offering bachelor degree for life experience i.e. if you have over 4 years of IT experience you get bachelor degree. I've looked into those & information from wiki tell me these are frauds & even their accreditors are none other but themselves. Search for Almeda University in google.
Bhaijan kuch universities hai jo diplomas ke liye credit deti hai, like they will give you half the credits you need i.e. a 4 year bachelor will be completed in 2 years. mai ne online university of phoenix mai try kiya (I have a Professional Network Centered diploma from NIIT) but they rejected it saying its not recognized by them & I have to do full 4 years :( noway I am gonna do that.
Omair, hi, is this Omair (Tauseef's friend from Urdu School?).
I will check the university out.
Mr. Fraudia: I am talking about:
1. Century University
2. Manipal Univeristy
3. University of Wlonglong(spelling might be wrong)
4. University of Pheonix
5. Universty of Houston
Sadiab: the word "reasonable" is a relative term.
Omair:
I came across University of London, external student courses. Seems to be ok. I have still to check out the "Accreditations". But for starters, it is very well marketed and supported by the Local British Council.
The university of london looks good, they offer Bachelors in Computer Information Technology, I might give it a go if they recognize my diploma & certificates.
Umair, unfortunately, nobody recognises the diplomas we did at NIIT or any such institute, except universities like Almeda and all...
The only advantage that you hold with your diplomas is that, you would not have a problem in studying "towards" your degree.
forget NIIT, i studied at a community college in Houston "Accepted and Accredated" by the Higher Education Commission, but even the bloody university of Houston rejects 40% of its credits.
So go ahead and jump in on to London University. I am seriously considering it. I just need to get my paper work sorted out. The application process is quite a process, takes a bit of concentration and dedication (just so that the university knows that we are really interested-they just care about the money i know).