Open Universities Australia - The Pros and Cons of Completing an Online Degree With OUA

Open Universities Australia (OUA) has become an increasingly popular option for students wishing to complete their degree off-campus.  There are many advantages of studying with OUA, however just like other universities, there are some things that should be considered before enrolling.  Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of completing your degree with OUA.

Advantages

Online Degree

 - It is easy to enroll. 

You can enroll quickly and easily over the phone or online.  Just select your units, and enroll.  If you are paying by FEE-HELP, you can arrange this online too.

 - Fewer entry requirements.

For many of the degrees, OUA offers an easier entry pathway than other universities.  While some programs do require a formal application, other degrees such as the Bachelor of Arts do not have any entry restrictions.  This is great for people who have not studied in a while, or who did not finish their formal education.

 - Flexibility. 

If you begin your degree and then decide to take 6 months off, you can.  If you want to study over the Christmas holidays, you can.  OUA offers the chance to begin a degree part way through the year, without having to apply, wait to receive an offer, and then wait until the following year to begin studying.

 - Your degree is awarded through a recognised university. 

A lot of students worry that their certificate will have the OUA logo on it, or that their degree will not be a 'proper' degree. OUA students graduate through a recognised university and get the same certificate as on-campus, directly enrolled students.

 - You can fast-track your degree. 

For many of the programs offered by OUA, the study periods run back-to-back, all year round.  This means that you can study without taking a break and finish your degree faster.  For example, if you choose to study three subjects per study period without taking a break, you could potentially finish your degree in two years instead of three, or if you study four units per semester, you could finish a three-year degree in 18 months.

Disadvantages

 - The cost. 

While many of the units are competitively priced, some units (such as the science units) are much more expensive than those available to students who secure a Commonwealth-Supported Place, directly through a university.  It is a good idea to work out a rough estimate as to how much your degree will cost altogether and then decide whether it is cheaper to apply for a Commonwealth-Supported Place instead.  Another cost that needs to be considered is the cost of an exam invigilator.  If you know someone who is suitably qualified, then they may be happy to do it for free, however professional exam supervision services can be quite expensive.

 - Lack of course information. 

OUA are reportedly trying to improve the quality and quantity of unit information available, but at the moment many of the unit descriptions, assessment details and book lists are quite brief.  It is a good idea to contact the OUA representative at the provider university if you would like more information regarding a particular unit, they are usually quite helpful.

 - Inconsistency. 

Unless you are completing all of your units through the same provider university, this may be an issue.  Each university has a different set-up, with some providing all of the course content online, whereas others send out a hard copy of all course materials, and there is no online interaction at all.  Inconsistency amongst tutors and course coordinators can also be a problem, with some tutors offering online tutorials once a week and replying to queries within 24 hours, and others offering minimal assistance and feedback.

 - Difficulties in planning ahead. 

OUA is constantly evolving, which is reflected in the changing availability of units and courses.  Unit availability for the following year is not known until around November, and if you have not registered your degree, course structure changes can occur, which may disrupt study plans.  Register early to ensure that you can complete the degree that you have started!

Overall, OUA offers a great way to complete a degree, particularly if you require flexibility, would like to fast-track, or just want to try a few units for personal interest.  Like all distance education providers, however, it is important to think about whether this type of study is the best choice for your lifestyle and goals.

Open Universities Australia - The Pros and Cons of Completing an Online Degree With OUA

Nursing Schools

Big Name State Universities - 5 Relatively Cheap Online Bachelor's Degrees

Let's face it. With so many options available on the internet, choosing an online bachelors degree program can be a daunting task. Try a little test. Type "online bachelors degree" into Google and glance at the results. Many "featured" programs on various degree websites usually include names like University of Phoenix, Walden University, Kaplan University, and Capella University.

Based on the test mentioned above, it should come as no surprise that these for-profit universities also rank in the top twenty of the largest online student bodies in the United States. According to the latest data from U.S. News & World Report, University of Phoenix served over 187,000 online students during the 2006-2007 school year. Significant online enrollment figures were also reported by Walden University (22,138), Kaplan University (22,000), and Capella University (13,726) for the same time frame.

Online Degree

But other non-traditional students take a slightly different approach to earning their degrees via online college courses. Instead of completing a 4-year degree through a for-profit online school, degree completion programs offered by well-known state universities are attracting considerable attention. To meet graduation requirements, many non-traditional students with little time for on-campus classes use inexpensive local community colleges as stepping stones to state universities. The reason: more public two-year colleges now cater to working students than in previous decades.

Three factors appear to be driving students back to long-established public and private universities, some of which are represented by a few big names. For starters, several institutions have adopted special tuition rates for distance learners that are not only less expensive than those for on-campus classes, but also considerably cheaper than the big for-profit universities. Comparable fees for in-state and out-of-state residents at these big schools are becoming more commonplace.

Next, to meet rising demand, more traditional universities are responding by increasing the variety of online classes and degree programs. For example, the Cincinnati Post recently reported that enrollment in online-only programs at the University of Cincinnati is up 257 percent over the past 4 years. In another recent article, the Tuscaloosa News cited enrollment figures from the University of West Alabama for the 2007 Fall semester. A staggering 47 percent, or almost one-half the entire student population at the Livingston, Alabama university take only classes held onlne.

Finally, the thought of having a resume tossed by corporate human resources staffers because the degree was earned through an online-only university may simply be too much for some students. In 2006, career information provider Vault Inc. surveyed hiring managers about how they view applicants with degrees that were earned online. A whopping 77% responded that they believe an online degree granted by an accredited institution holds more credibility than one from an internet-only school. As one unnamed HR professional confides, an online degree obtained from a well-established, traditional university stands a much greater chance of escaping the "correspondence school" stigma.

A related factor, branding, appears to heavily influence school choices as well. Listing a highly-respected, name brand college degree on a resume usually proves advantageous when competing for positions, especially in tight job markets, according to some career coaches. Similarly, nearby lesser known universities are also thought to carry considerable name recognition among prospective employers.

In other words, when choosing an online degree program, choose wisely. The opportunities to earn college degrees from highly-respected schools are many. Spend a little time and do some research. Yes, the larger online-only colleges and universities appear more often in Google searches. But it is highly unlikely that their exposure level is close to what the major state universities receive on those memorable autumn afternoons during college football season.

Below, you'll find five solid bachelor's degree completion programs that are fully capable of sprucing up many resumes with eye-catching credentials. Each degree is attainable through numerous options that can include CLEP exams and liberal college-credit transfer policies. Tuition rates, except where noted, apply to both in-state and out-of-state residents. For more information, please visit the respective university's Continuing Education or Extended Learning website to learn more.

Colorado State University - Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts - 3 per semester hour

Indiana University - Bachelor of General Studies - 5.06 (in-state)/4.22 (out-of state) per semester hour

Texas Tech University - Bachelor of General Studies - 9 per semester hour (includes fees)

University of Iowa - Bachelor of Liberal Studies - 4 per semester hour

University of Missouri - Bachelor of General Studies - 7.60 per semester hour (includes fees)

Above information current as of September, 2007.

Big Name State Universities - 5 Relatively Cheap Online Bachelor's Degrees

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