Online Degree School

Archive for September, 2009

I’m 33 years old and I decided to go back to get my paralegal degree. I live in Illinois and I don’t have any experience in this field, but I will be willing to orientate to the position. Should I continue to get my bachelors degree or should I just focus on the paralegal certificate? Are degrees from online programs acceptable for the lawfirms in Illinois? What’s the best thing for me to do? Please only serious attorneys or professional within a law firm reply! Thanks..

It is very, very difficult to get into a paralegal position with no experience, pretty much impossible. They all want 3+ years experience and a 2 year degree only substitutes for 1 year. I got my associates degree in paralegal studies and for a whole year tried to find a law firm to hire me without any experience…well I couldn’t find one. I had to start at a law office as a legal secretary and work my way up the ladder.

A certificate from an online program is not worth anything. If you are serious about this then you should get your associates or bachelors in paralegal studies. You can find a list of institutions in your area that are American Bar Association accredited on the ABA’s website. Here’s the link… http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/il.html

Non ABA accredited places are no good and potential employers will not be impressed, just as they won’t be impressed by a mere certifcate or something from an online program. They want to see that you are dedicated, committed and a hard worker. A simple certificate or something from an online program shows that you are not.

My advice to you is to try and get your foot in the door at a law office NOW, start as a legal secretary, receptionist or clerk. Build up law office experience while you go to school. That way, when you graduate you have a degree and law office experience, even though it isn’t paralegal experience, it is better than nothing. And while you are finishing school, talk to your employer about the possibility of promotion once you complete your degree.

If you plan ahead your transition into the legal field and into a paralegal position won’t be too difficult.

Best of luck to you!!

I’m 33 years old and I decided to go back to get my paralegal degree. I live in Illinois and I don’t have any experience in this field, but I will be willing to orientate to the position. Should I continue to get my bachelors degree or should I just focus on the paralegal certificate? Are degrees from online programs acceptable for the lawfirms in Illinois? What’s the best thing for me to do? Please only serious attorneys or professional within a law firm reply! Thanks..

It is very, very difficult to get into a paralegal position with no experience, pretty much impossible. They all want 3+ years experience and a 2 year degree only substitutes for 1 year. I got my associates degree in paralegal studies and for a whole year tried to find a law firm to hire me without any experience…well I couldn’t find one. I had to start at a law office as a legal secretary and work my way up the ladder.

A certificate from an online program is not worth anything. If you are serious about this then you should get your associates or bachelors in paralegal studies. You can find a list of institutions in your area that are American Bar Association accredited on the ABA’s website. Here’s the link… http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/il.html

Non ABA accredited places are no good and potential employers will not be impressed, just as they won’t be impressed by a mere certifcate or something from an online program. They want to see that you are dedicated, committed and a hard worker. A simple certificate or something from an online program shows that you are not.

My advice to you is to try and get your foot in the door at a law office NOW, start as a legal secretary, receptionist or clerk. Build up law office experience while you go to school. That way, when you graduate you have a degree and law office experience, even though it isn’t paralegal experience, it is better than nothing. And while you are finishing school, talk to your employer about the possibility of promotion once you complete your degree.

If you plan ahead your transition into the legal field and into a paralegal position won’t be too difficult.

Best of luck to you!!

I have a Bachelors of Science, but can’t seem to find a decent job. I am considering going back for my Masters. I work in the day, and must be home in the evening. I will take classes online, but why put the effort if it’s not recognized by hiring managers.
Adam, Thanks for the advice. My BS is in Journalism. I gut tells me to take to long road. But, I don’t know what school or career to choose. No matter what, it looks like I’ll be starting over.

In my 15 years of HR experience I can tell you that Univ of Phoenix is better than a BA/BS degree alone, but they sit close to or at the bottom of any MBA program. What is your BS in?

If you are serious about improving your job prospects you not only need to chose the correct career path but also the best school for you. There are many…MANY schools with a better reputation. They will take longer to graduate, but nothing good comes easy! If you want to pay your tuition and buy a degree as quickly as possible, U of P is for you.

I have a Bachelors of Science, but can’t seem to find a decent job. I am considering going back for my Masters. I work in the day, and must be home in the evening. I will take classes online, but why put the effort if it’s not recognized by hiring managers.
Adam, Thanks for the advice. My BS is in Journalism. I gut tells me to take to long road. But, I don’t know what school or career to choose. No matter what, it looks like I’ll be starting over.

In my 15 years of HR experience I can tell you that Univ of Phoenix is better than a BA/BS degree alone, but they sit close to or at the bottom of any MBA program. What is your BS in?

If you are serious about improving your job prospects you not only need to chose the correct career path but also the best school for you. There are many…MANY schools with a better reputation. They will take longer to graduate, but nothing good comes easy! If you want to pay your tuition and buy a degree as quickly as possible, U of P is for you.

I have heard of some degrees that were earned through online courses that are for profit only that are frowned on by employers and companies and I’ve heard of ones that are just as good as going on campus, any recommendations? I would love to attend a college on campus but being a military spouse it’s not easy to stick around in one spot long enough to attend a college on campus. Thank you.

The best online programs are at the best colleges. Almost everyone teaches online these days and include the likes of Harvard, UC-Berkeley, UMass, Columbia, UTexas, and 1000s more.

Of course, the best colleges generally cost more than the lesser colleges but not so when comparing the for-profits. A class at Harvard or UC-Berkeley online will cost you less than one from UPhoenix or AIU. You’ll get better transfer reception from the first two than the others.

My favorite search tool for online programs is at Petersons.com http://www.petersons.com/distancelearning/code/search.asp You might be really surprised what’s available to you completely online.

Which is best depends a lot on what you want to get a degree in. For example, Boston U offers their master’s and doctorate in music online. Not so useful unless you want to study music.

UMass (http://www.umassonline.net/) has an awesome selection of fully online programs as an example for you.

UMaryland has a nice selection of online programs AND has a campus on many military bases. http://www.umuc.edu/mil/mil_home.shtml

Many public colleges will give you in-state tuition as a military spouse – that can make a huge price difference for you.

Bottom line though is to pick the best college you can get into and can afford. Remember, the first couple years are far less expensive if done at a community college. Cerro Coso Community College online (http://cconline.cerrocoso.edu/) is priced well and has a huge military student population.

Also keep in mind that military education offices have CLEP, DANTES, and ECE exams available. You can knock out a lot of credit by self-study and testing.

I have heard of some degrees that were earned through online courses that are for profit only that are frowned on by employers and companies and I’ve heard of ones that are just as good as going on campus, any recommendations? I would love to attend a college on campus but being a military spouse it’s not easy to stick around in one spot long enough to attend a college on campus. Thank you.

The best online programs are at the best colleges. Almost everyone teaches online these days and include the likes of Harvard, UC-Berkeley, UMass, Columbia, UTexas, and 1000s more.

Of course, the best colleges generally cost more than the lesser colleges but not so when comparing the for-profits. A class at Harvard or UC-Berkeley online will cost you less than one from UPhoenix or AIU. You’ll get better transfer reception from the first two than the others.

My favorite search tool for online programs is at Petersons.com http://www.petersons.com/distancelearning/code/search.asp You might be really surprised what’s available to you completely online.

Which is best depends a lot on what you want to get a degree in. For example, Boston U offers their master’s and doctorate in music online. Not so useful unless you want to study music.

UMass (http://www.umassonline.net/) has an awesome selection of fully online programs as an example for you.

UMaryland has a nice selection of online programs AND has a campus on many military bases. http://www.umuc.edu/mil/mil_home.shtml

Many public colleges will give you in-state tuition as a military spouse – that can make a huge price difference for you.

Bottom line though is to pick the best college you can get into and can afford. Remember, the first couple years are far less expensive if done at a community college. Cerro Coso Community College online (http://cconline.cerrocoso.edu/) is priced well and has a huge military student population.

Also keep in mind that military education offices have CLEP, DANTES, and ECE exams available. You can knock out a lot of credit by self-study and testing.

Hi.. I am planning to join MBA online and was suggested by a satisified friend to join at http://www.universitiesedu.com.
They have wide variety of courses in MBA both campus and distance. Can anyone suggest if we do a course through distance education will it be at par with campus?

totally useless…dont even think of it.

If you wanna do MBA online then go for accreditted and well reputable universities like:

1. euro mba
2. abathcus university, canada
3. penn state univ, usa
4. michigan state univ
5. open univ, uk
6. florida state univ, usa

best of luck

Hi.. I am planning to join MBA online and was suggested by a satisified friend to join at http://www.universitiesedu.com.
They have wide variety of courses in MBA both campus and distance. Can anyone suggest if we do a course through distance education will it be at par with campus?

totally useless…dont even think of it.

If you wanna do MBA online then go for accreditted and well reputable universities like:

1. euro mba
2. abathcus university, canada
3. penn state univ, usa
4. michigan state univ
5. open univ, uk
6. florida state univ, usa

best of luck

You should ask potential employers whether they would be able and willing to employ a person with one. Even if you may find someone who got a job. it may not get you a job in any area you would consider working.

Our hospitals used to employ trainee nurses who had a 6 month in class training, but now it is all 2 years, no online courses. The nurses have insisted on this standard.

You should ask potential employers whether they would be able and willing to employ a person with one. Even if you may find someone who got a job. it may not get you a job in any area you would consider working.

Our hospitals used to employ trainee nurses who had a 6 month in class training, but now it is all 2 years, no online courses. The nurses have insisted on this standard.