Hello all!

I just came across to this website and there's a lot of great information on here.  Kudos to the creator!  I've also been reading other students blogs and posts about the different online colleges and university.  I enrolled with Capella University and I will be starting in June.  I'm going for my Bachelors in Business Administration.  I have to admit that is my first time being an online learner and I am a little bit anxious.  But all in all I'm happy that I did it and can't wait to start.

I was looking for a forum for the Capella learners but there's none.  Is there a possibility that we can have one created?  I don't know how many students from Capella are on here but it would be nice to find some and chat. 

 Thanks in advance! :)

Lucy

Hi Lucy, and welcome!

A forum for Capella is a great idea -- I've created it and moved this thread into it.

And good luck with your program.  If you're as proactive in class as you are around here, I expect you'll be just fine!

-=Steve=-

Hi Steve,

Thanks a lot!  I'll be coming back here to share my experiences with everyone here.  Thanks for creating this space and your kind words. 

All I have to say for now is that enrollment and financial aid was good; a few bumps but not on the university's end.   Enrollment counselor and financial aid couselors were very nice and understood all of my questions and concerns.  So, so far so good.  I'm starting my quarter on June 6th, so lets see what happens.

Lucy

Hi Cajun,

Thanks for the welcome! I've been all over this website but I really enjoy reading your blog.  Keep those answers, stories, and experiences with Bellevue coming!

Oh I am soooo happy about this forum!!!  I am nearing the end of my academic journey for my Masters with a concentration in Counseling Studies.  I see that you have already started, how have you enjoyed the institution so far?  I have a friend who is going for her BS in HR. 

Capella is a great university and make sure you embrace your studies as much as you can!

Stay focused!

PPConsulltant:

Oh I am soooo happy about this forum!!!  I am nearing the end of my academic journey for my Masters with a concentration in Counseling Studies.

Cool -- what do you plan to do with it?

-=Steve=-

My plan into action,

Options:

* Work as a therapist, intake coordinator, supervisor (which I am currently) for a nonprofit agency

*Be an online adjunct instructor for an associate's degree program for human services, psychology, human development, sociology, etc.

*Work as an Academic Advisor, Career Counselor, Job Coach, etc. 

 *I was going to go back to get a ph.d in organizational psychology, but that's not where my heart is...I would rather work for a higher educational institution, basically administration or management.  I'm leaning towards the Higher Education or Adult Education doctorate at Capella University.

 In these days and times, beggars cannot be choosers.  My hope is higher education.

PPConsulltant:

Be an online adjunct instructor for an associate's degree program for human services, psychology, human development, sociology, etc.

As a warning, there is a lot of competition for these sorts of gigs, and they don't pay very well.  I'm not saying that money should necessarily be one's main concern, but it's nearly impossible to live off the money one makes as an adjunct.

Work as an Academic Advisor, Career Counselor, Job Coach, etc.

You could do any of those with a Master's degree.  I know, I have!  

I was going to go back to get a ph.d in organizational psychology, but that's not where my heart is... I would rather work for a higher educational institution, basically administration or management.

You really ought to be able to find a staff position at a college or university without a doctorate.  A doctorate would help you become a high level administrator, but it's not required to be a staff person, and that would let you know whether working in higher education is all it's cracked up to be.

I'm leaning towards the Higher Education or Adult Education doctorate at Capella University. In these days and times, beggars cannot be choosers.  My hope is higher education.

Well, there's nothing wrong with Capella, but you do have a lot of options:

http://www.elearners.com/online-degrees/doctorate/education.htm

Of those, Liberty University is known for doing distance learning well, and they have very reasonable tuition rates, so especially if you're a Christian (or simply don't mind a Christian point of view) they're worth considering.

-=Steve=-

adjunct positions indeed do not pay well. On the site below, the person, who says they teach for the University of Phoenix, makes minimum wage:

http://illegitimatedegrees.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/instructors-comment-about-the-university-of-phoenix/ 

Hi Steve,

I'm going to look into Liberty U and look at their programs.  Capella is a wonderful school, I really enjoyed the experience, but I'm not going to lie, they are not easy on the pocketbook....lol.  What I do like about it is that there is a 2-3 wk gap between quarters for you to regroup and revitalize yourself.  I hear at Walden that there are no breaks at all.  But, for financial sake, I will take a look at other options.  What are some other programs (ph.d) that are affordable, online, and accredited that you guys know of??

My husband fully supports me of my decision, but he wants me to do it in a fiscally responsible way....

PPConsulltant:

What are some other programs (ph.d) that are affordable, online, and accredited that you guys know of??

The only other regionally accredited doctoral programs in education that are as affordable as Liberty that I can think of are (1) my program at A.T. Still University, but that's specifically a program in Health Education, and (2) the PhD in Curriculum and Instruction through New Mexico State University, but that's a very small program that only has one start date every other year, and they're not due again until summer of next year.  For your purposes, if nothing about Liberty U. is a deal breaker, definitely give them a close look.

My husband fully supports me of my decision, but he wants me to do it in a fiscally responsible way....

He's right, says this husband.   But seriously, it can take a long time for a doctorate to pay for itself in higher earnings -- sometimes forever.

-=Steve=-