Let’s start out the year with some fan mail.  

I saw your posting on the new where you finished up your Bachelors degree in 2007. I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind. I have been searching for an online school for a while now and have seen several postings about the University of Phoenix also some horror stories about it being a diploma mill. My question is what do you think about Kaplan University and how do you think the hiring corporations feel about hiring individuals with online degrees? Thanks for your time.

Thanks for the e-mail.

I can only speak to the schools that I have attended, but might be able to shed some light on your question.

University of Phoenix has a huge presence.  Anytime you have a business with that many customers (students), there will be some who will be unhappy with their experience.  There are some horror stories out there about the University of Phoenix.  I can say that I tried them for a very short time back in the late 1990's, and didn't last long.  I didn't like the method of delivery, and what I perceived as a general lack of organization.  

Maybe the situation has improved since then.  I wouldn't know.  What I do know is that with Kaplan, I found a school that was very organized, and the expectations were very clear.  The instructors were helpful, and I enjoyed my experience.  

If you are concerned about some of the things said about University of Phoenix, then I would suggest that you seek out other schools.  I did a ton of homework when looking for schools.  I finally found one that fit me.  But that doesn't mean that it would fit everyone.  There are also a lot of schools that are traditional brick and mortar institutions that now offer online programs.  You can eliminate the thoughts of "diploma mill" on those for the most part.

Finally, the experience I've found with hiring people with online degrees is not much of an issue.  My company recognizes them.  A lot of companies will or should recognize them.  The best bet to maximize what you get out of the education is to complete the bachelors, then go get your Masters.  The diploma usually doesn't say "online" on it.

So find out what works for you.  That will be the ultimate test.  You can get all the advice in the world, but it doesn't mean a lot until you are comfortable in whatever you decide to do.

I hope this helps.