Search Results matching tag 'kaplan university'

Fan Mail from Jan

WheelCipher — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT

I did read your blog and the experiences you wrote about regarding Kaplan University. I wanted to share with you that I am just starting out with my education in IT (Web Development). However, I wanted to ask you how your overall experience with Kaplan was. Was it worth it? How the rest of the world and employers receive you with a Kaplan degree. Did they think it was OK or were they impressed with it?

I’m actually an international student so I won’t have a lot of contact with US companies, but I would like to know how they react to it.

My employer at the time was absolutely supportive of it. But how companies look at online degrees will vary. Since they are becoming more accepted every day, I would think one would be hard pressed to run into a problem. It also depends on what kind of job you are looking for. It is probably safe to say that someone with an online degree probably will not be an investment banker on Wall Street. But there are always exceptions to the rule.

I think the more popular online education becomes, employers will be more understanding. Those that scoff at the online programs from accredited institutions are simply ignorant in the arena of distance learning. Perhaps it is up to us (the students) to educate those who don’t understand. I consider all online learners to be pioneers in this field. We have a responsibility to teach as much as we learn.

One thing that is happening right now that is solidifying the validity of distance education is that many major universities that have been traditionally on-campus only are adopting online programs. This is going a long way to help the cause.

Your Ignorance is Blinding and Embarrassing

WheelCipher — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:53:00 GMT

I almost wanted to throw up yesterday. Yeah, it sounds like “too much information”. But I was so angry and miffed that nausea was the default response to what happened to me. Here is the short version of what happened.

Last week, a very nice recruiter contacted me and did a 30-minute phone screen for a really good job here in town. That phone screen went well enough that he wanted to schedule another phone screen with the hiring manager, the Vice President of the department I would be working in if I were hired. He called me yesterday.

The interview went well. I think I was able to articulate my position and work history very well. At the end of the day, I knew that it was not going to work out because I do not have the background they are looking for in this position. I am perfectly OK with that. Not a big deal. But that is not how he handled it. Instead if just saying that he did not think I had the right skill set, he told me that he would think about it and have the recruiter to give me some “feedback”.

Then it gets weird!

As he was putting his cell phone back in the holster, the phone called me back accidentally!

I then overheard the entire conversation he had with his partner about me, my experience, and my education. None of which was good. Instead of just saying that I was not the person he was looking for, he laughed and ridiculed my nearly two decades of professional experience saying, “He should take any other offer that comes along”.

He then proceeded to ridicule Kaplan and Norwich and their on-line programs, saying, “Right up there with Harvard”.

I could not let it go! I called him back after he finally hung up his phone. He was a little surprised when I told him that I didn’t know why he had any issues with the schools that I attended. He was at a loss for words. He was caught completely caught off-guard. After about two minutes of him trying to gather himself, I ended the call and wrote him an email. This is what I wrote:

The way you discuss interviewees after you think you have hung up the phone is quite interesting. The laughing and ridiculing was very telling. I would never have expected that from a Vice President in such a publicly-visible, forward-thinking company.

Furthermore, five minutes of homework before calling would have revealed that I received my undergrad from a school that has been in existence since 1937. My MBA was earned from Norwich University, an institution that has been around since 1819. This school is the first military academy in the United States (before VMI and West Point). The US Army is full of officers from this school. Both schools are accredited. My programs were hybrid (on-line and on-campus) just like 12 million other students last year.

The fact that these schools are not in Texas or Ivy League means everything to someone who briefly attended University of Dallas, I guess. Just a suggestion: Before making negative connotations about distance or hybrid education or sarcastically referring to institutions and/or instructional methods that you are completely unfamiliar with as "right up there with Harvard", please do your homework and ask questions. Your future human capital will thank you.

If I did not have the skills you were looking for, you could have just said it. I'm a big boy. I can take it. But ultimately you made the decision for me. You have embarrassed yourself and your company.

Was I wrong to write this?

What this does is to make me want to do more to promote education and expose the ignorance that exists in some people. It makes me believe even more in what I am doing. I was pretty angry and upset after all of this, but I am over it. Now I am re-dedicated to what I am doing. No matter how much experience and education I have, I will never be able to eradicate the ignorance and bias that exists in some people.

Re: American Public University (APU)

Vince — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:25:06 GMT

Erisca - I think I see what's going on here.

The confusion appears to be over semester hours vs. quarter hours. Basically, I think you are comparing apples and oranges.

When a school operates on quarter system, rather than semster system, then you are looking at approximately 180 quarter hours for a bachelor's degree.
When you are dealing with a school that operates on a semester system, then you are looking at approximately 120 semester hours for a bachelor's degree.

People get these confused because they substitute the word "credits" to mean both "semester hours" and "quarter hours". Sounds like the person you talked to was confused as well.

Kaplan and APU are similar in a lot of ways. APU takes up to 90 semester hours in transfer for their bachelor's degree - that's roughly 75% of the credits for the degree. If you compare that to Kaplan, my guess (and it is only a guess) is that they take somewhere in the neighborhood of 135 credits (quarter hours) in transfer toward their bachelor's degrees (at 180 quarter hours). (For what it's worth, Kaplan does operate on the quarter hour system, and according to their website, their undergraduate tuition is $353 per quarter hour.)

APU courses (my wife is a student at APU / I'm a student at AMU, their sister school) are $250 per semster hour for undergraduate courses -- that's $750 per course. I know that the $50 fee may seem like a pain, but that's the only fee we've paid so far -- seriously -- there are no technology fees or anything like that.

Quater hours vs. Semester hours (and maybe someone else more knowledgeable can chime in here) - one isn't better than another, and one isn't more work than another -- it's just two different ways of measuring things - kind of like the metric system.

Kaplan or Capella?

ericsa — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:28:35 GMT

Hello All,

I have a question. I have currently been taking online classes since 2006. I started with Colorado Technical University (CTU), and went for an ASIT degree. I obtained it in June of last year (08). I became enfatuated with the Networking side of IT while there so I started looking into schools that offered strictly Networking. I found Kaplan which offered a BSNT strictly Network Technology courses. I applied and started in August of last year. I currently had a family issue come up tht caused me to have to withdraw for the time to take care of things. I would have taken a leave but I was already into the session so I had to drop. Anyway, I was told that they have dropped the BSNT program due to lack of enrollment. They are offering a BSIT with an Emphasis is Network Administration. I am looking around at schools to see if anything interests me before I enroll back with Kaplan. I have found Capella which offers a Networking program, and have found it to be very interesting. They also offer a MS in Networking and even go into a PhD in Technology. This interests me because you normally can't find an online school which does that (go all the way to PhD in a specific study). I am mainly wondering if any of you out there know much about Capella. Will they accept an Associates Degree from CTU? Will they accept credits from Kaplan? Are books included in tuition? (that is a big must for me). Are they a good school? What is their online environment like? Any information on this school, plus any answers to the questions above would greatly help me out. Also, any suggestions on other online schools that I may have overlooked that you might think would be better. Thanks to all that respond!

A Question About Kaplan

WheelCipher — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT

I am now on my way to my doctorate degree. Yet I still get fan mail and questions about my undergraduate experience at Kaplan. This makes me happy because it tells me that people are using their resources to find a school that is right for them. Keep the questions coming! I am happy to answer them.

Firstly, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my correspondence. The reason I am writing to you is because I would like to get the opinion of a student of Kaplan University about the school itself. I have begun the process of enrolling for classes at Kaplan University, and I wanted to get your take on the school itself. I read your posts about business school accreditation, and I was hoping that you might be willing to indicate if Kaplan is as recognized and respected as all the information I have gathered thus far has led me to believe. In layman's terms, is Kaplan University a good school for someone who is looking to obtain a functional, accepted degree in business?

Thanks for the feedback. First, I would say (from personal experience) that Kaplan has a really good program for undergraduates who are seeking an education in business or management. I don’t have any experience at Walden, Capella, or any other university in terms of undergraduate experience. But I would think that it is safe to say they are comparable. Second, I cannot speak to the other programs at Kaplan.

My own personal opinion is that I would not seek the MBA from Kaplan because it is not accredited by the AACSB or ABCSP. These are the two main agencies that accredit the MBA. Kaplan is accredited regionally, but there are different standards for the MBA. If you want to go into some kind of health-oriented program, I would advise you to do your homework on those.

While at Kaplan, I had no issues or concerns. I think it was rewarding and the quality of the programs was very good. My efforts there got me into a really great MBA program at Norwich University. So at the end of the day, Kaplan does serve a purpose and I have no complaints. When I started at Kaplan in 2003, there were few options for online degrees compared to today. A person just starting out has a lot of homework and research to do in order to find the program that best suits them. There are a lot of schools out there looking for quality students.

Is It Real?

WheelCipher — Sat, 16 May 2009 11:30:00 GMT

I received an e-mail the other day from a fan who evidently reads my blog. The email was short and to the point. It simply asked if my degree from Kaplan University was real, or were they a diploma mill.

I was not sure what to think. In one of those rare moments where I was not sure what to say to such as question, I just replied, “It’s real. It got me into a very good graduate school.” What this tells me is that (1) people are not doing their homework and (2) there is some stigma out there regarding online degrees. I think that if someone had any questions about a certain school being a diploma mill, there would be enough information out there that would confirm or deny any suspicions that might exist. This is especially true here at e-Learners.

Second, I have personally witnessed what has been a tremendous (and legitimate) fear of online education subside to almost nothing over the past six years. The proliferation of diploma mills “back in the day” was a real fear and to some extent, is still a fear for some people.

What has transitioned over the past six years or so since I started my college career at Kaplan is a flood of credible accounts of people like myself taking the leap into online education. Sites like e-Learners, the media, and traditional brick-and-mortar schools adopting distance learning has done so much toward reducing the fear of diploma mills.

Furthermore, many people have been “outed” for listing diploma mills in their credentials. Every once in a while we see the article that talks about people in government and other high-ranking positions who took the easy way out. Awareness of the impact of diploma mills has caused the truth to float to the top. This is good for us.

The bottom line is that people need to do their homework. Do not be afraid to ask others who have been there. People need to understand accreditation. Define your dreams and go for it.

Fan Mail From Brandon

WheelCipher — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:08:00 GMT

Scott,

I read your blog and was looking for reviews of Kaplan by Alumni. I have not found much information and I have a few concerns. I would like to attend Kaplan for IT Network Administration, but I do not want to pay for a school if the degree is not going to be taken seriously by future employers. I know they are accredited but have you ever had any problems with someone questioning your degree from Kaplan. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Brandon,

Acceptance of online degrees by current and future employers is growing at a tremendous rate. As long as you find a school that is accredited, you should not have a problem. Some employers even encourage getting an education online since it has become so difficult to get one at traditional schools when you combine work and other responsibilities.

I have had two employers since I started going to school and both of them looked highly upon the fact that I had my degrees. The fact that two of them came from Kaplan had little bearing on the situation. I would not let opinion stop you.

I think that acceptance has come a long way in the last several years and if you happen to run into an employer that does not look favorably on your efforts, it could be a sign of deeper problems that you will not be able to fix. All good employers cherish and value employees with education. Keep that in mind when you are looking for a job.

Fan Mail From Lynne

WheelCipher — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:33:00 GMT

Hi Scott,

I ran across your name/website when researching Kaplan University. I am a semi-professional photographer (I have to say that because I do make a little money through photography) and was impressed by your work!
My question to you, though, is this: what was your experience with Kaplan University? How have you perceived the credibility of a degree from Kaplan? I am considering applying to Kaplan as they have a Master of Science in Legal Studies/State and Local Government degree that would be perfect for the completion of my education.
I have an A.A.S. in Legal Studies/Paralegal and a Bachelor in Computer Science/Database Administration & Internet Management (double major) from Limestone College.

I also have 20 or so Masters hours in Geographic Information Systems from University of Denver. About half of my education has been received via online courses so I am well versed in online learning. I work in regional government in Information Services/GIS and utilize every aspect of my education in my work.

I would appreciate your comments and/or any suggestions you may have regarding Kaplan.

My experience with Kaplan was just fine. I knew when I started there that I was not going to stop with a B.S. in Management. I knew that I was going to get my MBA and I needed an accredited undergraduate degree. I cannot say how others would perceive my undergrad from there because I did not stop there. I used it as a stepping stone.

If you want to go to Kaplan for the degree you mentioned, I think it would be a good choice. I think going there for my undergrad was a good choice. I would not go there for my MBA because it was not an accredited MBA (by the AACSB or ACBSP). Kaplan is only regionally accredited (the last time I checked).
In my opinion, I think Kaplan will be a good choice. They are a little more expensive than some other schools, but I was happy with the education I received.

MBA Grad Looks Back on Studies at Kaplan University

Victoria — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:17:00 GMT

Three years ago, 43-year-old Janice Barnwell began her MBA course work at Kaplan University. Shortly after starting her program, she learned she was pregnant. "It's been difficult, to say the least," she remarks, laughing. "It was a challenge, but I was excited about my pregnancy and my MBA." Today, she holds a Master of Business Administration and is the mother of two daughters—a college student and a 15-month-old.

In February 2006, Janice started her graduate work, taking one 6-week course she describes as "very intense." For many years she had mulled over the idea of graduate school. "I've always wanted to get my master's degree. I never found the time, though I'd looked," she recalls. Time was an important factor to consider; Janice's commute averages about an hour and a half each way and she works 35 to 40 hours a week. "There have been times when I was stressed out," she admits. "It is a lot."

Janice lives in a major metropolitan area where a number of universities are local to her, but none offered the kind of flexibility she required. "I knew I was going online," she remembers. After reviewing a number of universities with distance learning programs, Kaplan University had the best program for her. She was contacted by an Admissions Advisor who "was on the ball. I felt like that was key," she says. Kaplan University's School of Business and Management is unique in that it offers 10-week terms with no delay between courses. Once a student completes a course, a subsequent course begins. The classes are small and intimate as well, with an average of 10 to 12 students per course. "I've recommended Kaplan to others. It's a really good program," Janice says. "I feel I made the best choice."

Janice had no prior experience with distance learning when she began the MBA program. "I think I was a little paranoid at first until I was used to the process," she says, recalling how she would ask herself "How is this going to work? What is the course load I should expect?" After the first month, Janice began to feel comfortable in her online classroom. She also began to notice how her communication skills had improved. "It was similar to a physical classroom," she says of her first class. "It helped me with my writing skills. Now it's like second nature."

The convenience of studying online was a great benefit to her, especially when her second daughter was born. "It seemed like a very difficult situation; in the midst of it, I was doing it," she remembers of managing motherhood and her academic career. "It was fine. It was something I wanted and had to do." Janice speaks of her experience at Kaplan with pride and accomplishment. "An MBA puts you at a different level. I see it as a huge asset to me," says Janice, who finished her MBA, but returned to Kaplan University to earn a specialization. "The professors have so much knowledge in the field. Their résumés are amazing." In the MBA program, she was able to progress through her course work quickly and earned her degree in approximately 18 months.

Janice offers positive comments regarding her program. "I've been fairly pleased," she says. "It's been very rewarding." Distance education proved to be a great option for her as well. The best thing for Janice was the flexibility of taking courses online. "Not having the problem of getting into a physical classroom," she offers, "has been the best thing. That would have been a huge problem for me."

Time management and prioritization were key factors in Janice's success in graduate school. She advises, "At the beginning, give yourself a benchmark and do it." Being able to establish an objective and follow through helped her to progress steadily through the program requirements. "You have to make sure you live by your schedule," she continues. "Sometimes in the office I would get course work done." Another benefit of Kaplan University's programs is that they are typically structured for working adults. Janice's professors would post the week's assignments on Wednesdays. The completed assignments were due the following Tuesdays. The assignment schedule allowed her to study through the weekend and submit the work each Tuesday.

Janice is now well-practiced in managing her time and finds herself to be more disciplined in her life—such as paying bills and using small portions of time to complete tasks. When it was time for her eldest daughter to consider going to college, Janice's graduate work set a strong example. "With me being in graduate school," Janice says, "she knew that going to college was something she wanted. She pretty much took the reins on that one!"

Having an MBA has helped Janice do well. She was able to advance professionally in the spring of 2008—when the employment rate was at five percent and climbing—and "it was because of my MBA," she says. She sums up her current outlook rather aptly when she says, "I’m getting everything out of life that I want."

Learn more about the degree and continuing education programs at Kaplan University.

Interview with Nursing Grad Student: "It's never too late."

Victoria — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:57:00 GMT

"I was really unsure how I was going to do. I've been surprised," remarks Katherine Getchel of her academic success at Kaplan University. The 47-year-old graduate student is studying online to earn her Master of Science in Nursing degree, with a focus in nursing education.

Katherine earned her RN-to-BSN degree in 2008. Just months after graduating, she gained admission to and enrolled in Kaplan University's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. "I didn't want to lose the momentum," she says. "I knew I would not have gone back at my age."

For 23 years Katherine has been hitting the books, but was not able to complete her degree. Aside from the additional burden of commuting to a campus, it can be hard to advance in a degree program if studies cannot be completed at the same school. For any number of reasons, a school may not accept course work or credits earned elsewhere. Katherine estimates that, over the years, she has completed about eight courses that were not accepted by or transferable to other schools. Going online has fit her life the best. As a wife, mother, and full-time nurse manager overseeing three units and approximately 100 employees, "there'd be no way I could attend college [without distance learning]. That's why I never finished my degree."

For Katherine, a job opportunity prompted her desire to go back to school. "Was I willing to get the degree?" she recalls asking herself. After making the decision to pursue a degree in nursing, she shared her goals with her family. "We sat down as a family. It was going to take some sacrifice. My husband was right there for me, saying 'This is the right thing.' He's a great support." She does not romanticize going back to school. "It's not for everyone. It has to be the right time for you—and fit into your life." Working adults, especially parents, have to consider the priorities in their lives and how their schooling may affect their families or job performance. "I was grateful; it was the push I really needed." Shortly after discussing her academic plans with the family, Kaplan University contacted her about its RN-to-BSN program. "It was kind of fate," she says, describing the timing.

Katherine speaks volumes of her experience at Kaplan University. "The education is first rate. When I heard they were also coming out with a master's program when I was completing my bachelor's degree, I was thrilled. It worked out perfectly." She had previously attended another online nursing program, but it was not a good fit. "There was no interaction. I didn't like that kind of education." Kaplan University is different in its approach. Rather than having its students work in a hands-off environment, the classes maintain "a lot of interaction," describes Katherine. "The professors are very supportive. We're not on our own in a silo somewhere."

Kaplan University helps new students acclimate to the online classroom environment. Katherine found the Web-based classroom to be accessible and intuitive. "They make it very simple. We have an online orientation; it's like a course to help you take your courses." Online students even have access to a full library—completely online and available around the clock. Rather than readjusting life to fit around school, she now enjoys the kind of flexibility only online education can offer. "I make my own schedule," she says.

Kaplan University's MSN students can choose a specialization in their degree, either administration or education. "I've been in management for a number of years. With the nursing shortage, [nursing education] is the area with the greatest need. I've always been interested in it," says Katherine, referring to how she decided which area of specialization to pursue.

As part of her MSN program, Katherine must complete what is called a nursing practicum: a student is required to spend 150 hours putting into practice the theory and concepts they have studied throughout the curriculum.She is on track to earn her master's degree in December 2009.

"I think it's never too late to learn. You can never give up on learning. I encourage my peers to go back to school," she says. "It's never too late. That's probably what I've learned the most."

Learn more about the degree and continuing education programs at Kaplan University.