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HR Education

CinderellaCinderella 632 Posts
in HR & Employment Law Vote Up0Vote Down
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-29-02 AT 11:16PM (CST)[/font][p]Anyone have good/bad experiences with getting degrees/certificates from online? Is it worth it to get some of these "HR certificates" offered by places like Western Governer's University, Baker Online, Cappella University (in "HR Management")? Some of them look pretty good. Would I be "looked down upon" in the industry for getting a degree/certificate through this manner? Or should I just bite the bullet and attempt an HR degree at a four year? I honestly don't think I could make it through a traditional BA/BS program...math and me do not get along...I'm not an exempt employee so the SHRM certification is out for me. I currently have almost enough credits for an AA in Lib Arts so I would have a bit of a jump start to get a BA/BS....

:) Cinderella :)
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  • 5 Comments sorted by Votes Date Added
  • TerryTerry 104 Posts
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    I too have received these messages. The key here is the word accredited as opposed to non-accredited. You want an accredited school. I think some of these places don't have a physical school, they are just virtual. Don't trust them. There are legitimate colleges that have on-line programs. If it seems too cheap and too easy I would be extremely suspect.

    Do a little research, there are colleges that will give you credit for practical experience and/or offer alternative types of learning instead of the typical classroom experience. A local college near me (PA) will allow, depending on experience, a one year accelerated program for a Bachelors degree. If you are on your way to an associates degree, then you are on your way. Take the time to speak with the school counselor where you have those credits earned, its usually free advice.
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  • GillianGillian 885 Posts
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    [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-30-02 AT 10:56AM (CST)[/font][p]On-line education is the coming thing, so I would not discount a program because of that. The University where I work has a fully accredited Graduate Nursing program which is on - line. The student aren't learning to be nurses, they already know the patient contact piece, so they learn advanced information, all on-line except for periodic visits on campus. I did check out Capella University in the Higher Education Directory because I had heard of them. They are a fully accredited University. Western Governors University is in pre-accreditation status. There are a lot of Baker Colleges and a Baker University which has been around for a long time. Baker On-Line is not listed as a separate entity so I would first find out if it is affiliated with Baker University. Is so, it would be worth checking out because Baker University is fully accredited.

    With regard to you and HR, I would recommend that you get your undergraduate degree. We all know HR people who do wonderful work and do not have a degree (my staff of three are like this) but more and more employers ask for a degree. You should look into the accelerated programs like the University of Phoenix and those where you get credit for life experience or other education that you have taken. If going for a BA is not an option for you, check out the HR Certificate Programs that are offered in university extension programs. Most large metropolitan areas have these.
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  • Margaret MorfordMargaret Morford 1,143 Posts
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    One of my client's employees is working on a degree through the Phoenix Institute. I was pretty impressed with the sophistication of the assignments. I mentioned Phoenix to several people and they indicated that Phoenix is really gaining respect in this country. Check them out. Other than what I've told you, I know nothing about them. Hope that may give you another option.

    Margaret Morford
    theHRedge
    615-371-8200
    [email]mmorford@mleesmith.com[/email]
    [url]http://www.thehredge.net[/url]
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  • CinderellaCinderella 632 Posts
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    Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I did find a website that is pretty informative about online degrees/certificates/courses in HR and some other subjects too:

    [url]http://www.worldwidelearn.com/index.html[/url]

    I think I will continue to research my opportunities. Who knows I might just get a degree in creative writing or something totally off subject like that (oh the perils of being an indecisive 25 year old)!

    :) Cinderella :)
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  • Margaret MorfordMargaret Morford 1,143 Posts
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    Cinderella,

    Give yourself a break. What I was doing at 25 had nothing to do with what I'm doing at 47. Being absolutely sure at 25 only means you have to change your mind rather than make it up. Choose to do things that you want to do or haven't tried to find out if you want to do them. Always do something you feel strongly about! Work is too hard not to like what you do.

    Margaret Morford
    theHRedge
    615-371-8200
    [email]mmorford@mleesmith.com[/email]
    [url]http://www.thehredge.net[/url]
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