CS Correspondence/Online Schools?

cs dropout asks: "I'm one of those quit-school-to-take-great-job-in-the-industry guys, and now I'd like to finish up my degree. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or recommendations for a Correspondence school or one with a completely online program. I have about 70 credits now, and am looking to finish up my CS Major, but I don't have time around work to attend regular classes. Suggestions?" It's difficult for people to work first and get their degrees later, mostly due to the fact that a lot of people don't have the time for college after starting their careers. Such schools like this would make it a lot easier for folks to test-the-waters in this rapidly changing industry and would serve to focus their choices when they do decide to finish their education. Thoughts?

Comments

I think this might apply

[MrProgrammer]

I am a high school student, but I have a job programming. This year, I switched to an online-only highschool. I thought it would be great - work a 40 hour week, do high school at home.

After a month, I'd had my fill of it. It was extremely hard to comunicate with the teachers, expectations were not clearly communicated, and the quality...well, there wasn't any!

I've since returned to normal high school, and I like it a lot better. There is really something neat about actually having a real teacher, with real passion about the subject.

On the other hand, my sister goes to Florida University, and they let her see movies of the lectures at home on her computer. She seems to like it better.

I guess the hard part is balancing it with your work. School can get pretty demanding. Think about what you aim to get out of the courses and the demands you're willing to place on yourself. Online school might be just the right thing!

well

[nomadic]

Despite all the predictions about how great online learning will be, I don't think it's an adequate replacement for a bricks and mortar degree, and unless the correspondence aspect doesn't show up on your resume, potential employers might not as well. If you can spare a few hours a week to go part time, you might just want to work for a year or two then go back. Probably have an easier time in class as a result of industry experience, too.
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Re:well

[nomadic]

That of course should have read "if you can'T spare a few hours a week to go part time"
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University of Phoenix

[Albatross]

I have been going to the University of Phoenix for about six months now. I am not enrolled in their online program, but they do have one. The school was designed for working adults rather than traditional students. All the classes are in the evening, and you only go one night a week. You might want to look at attending classes at one of the campuses rather than online. I have heard the online program is harder. It it pricey, but for me has been worth the money. Everybody I have worked with really does realize that you have a job and a life and are willing to work around that.

Oh yeah, one more thing. It's not just in Phoenix. There are 85 campuses aroung the country. (I don't want to tell you how many people have said "Oh, when are you moving?" when I tell them I go to the University of Phoenix :P)

Florida State University

[dotcomed]

Try Florida State University. They have a distance learning program which allows Computer Science majors to complete their junior and senior years completely online.

The only downside is that you need an AA or higher. You can get more information at http://www.fsu.edu/~distance.

I am halfway through my first class in this program, and the quality is level is high. The instructors reply to email very quickly, and the web based software is easy and efficient to use. If you can get an AA with your 70 credits, this is definately the way to go.

CMU Distance Education

[BobGregg]

Carnegie Mellon University's Distance Learning program may offer some of what you're looking for. They have courses on videotape and the Web, as well as teleconference classes you can participate in. My own master's degree was in CMU's Software Engineering program, and I know the people who teach some of their classes, and they're all top notch. (As if there would be any doubt about CMU's faculty!) They even offer teleconference links to some of the classes.

In addition to software engineering, you can also take classes in the Heinz Business School, which is also one of the best in the country in its subject matter. CMU is expensive, but if you can get your business to foot part of the bill, it's well worth it. What I don't know about is whether you can transfer your credits in there or not. Even if you can't, some of their courses might be transferrable elsewhere, or they might have recommendations about another good distance program you could finish with.

interesting sidenote...

[grammar nazi]

Here's my reasoning why all universities will develop online verisions of their degrees:
From a marketing standpoint, now universities can make money off of poeple who they never could before. If you live in another part of the country or in another country, you can now take courses and pay university tuition. Expanding markets is a basic business strategy and I've never seen a clearer example of it than online universities.

At Michigan State University, there is a 'virtual university' which seems more like marketing hoopla than an actual university. I think that most univeristies' programs will be this way because the administrators realize it's a good money maker, but the faculty are slow to implement it.

To stray back on-topic... If possible, I'd recommend going part time to a real university. Don't take things like interactions with professors or other students for granted. Faculty are all wizards in their own realms of whatever and are valuable resources if you ever need to know about whatever. Students will share many common interests with you, more importantly, they will share homework answers with you.