University of South Carolina plans to offer online degrees.....

Question

COLUMBIA, S.C. --

The University of South Carolina plans to offer students with two-year degrees the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree through online courses.

President Harris Pastides told a House panel Wednesday about plans for the South Carolina Palmetto College.

The concept calls for consolidating the administrations of the university's four, two-year regional campuses, and offering its graduates a chance to earn a four-year degree without relocating. Students of other associate's programs could also participate.

Pastides says it's designed for adults who may have families and jobs that prevent them from moving in order to earn a bachelor's degree.

The announcement came as Pastides presented his budget request to a Ways and Means subcommittee. He asked for $5 million to launch the concept and later expand course offerings.

Originally posted on The Bad Apple by Clemson Goat.

Answer 1

Yes - what a horrible thing to want to try to continue the education of existing students at satellite campuses - especially in today's economy

Interesting idea
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by MotorCityChicken.

Answer 2

Clemson offers some online degrees as well. You write this like you don't know that a lot of public colleges offer online courses and degrees?


I've taken 10-12 college courses online over the last 8 or so years.

Heck, there are a lot of schools offering specific programs online- and more are adding them all the time. I think I took my first online college course in 2002.

It's almost a no brainer for a college to offers online degrees these days. IN this economy, you've got to reach out to your community and state in a way that makes it easier for them to attend classes.

This post was edited on 1/25 9:58 PM by SGamecock3
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by SGamecock3.

Answer 3

Don't understand how online courses work. How do they test?
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by 81graduate.

Answer 4

obviously a plan to let the shamecock players attend class while incarcerated
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by Mat Fan.

Answer 5

I think it depends on the balances & checks in place of the school providing online courses. They have already been a few shutdown because of being no more than going through the motions = degree mill. In fact the company I work for will not recognize a lot of online degrees and/or Institutes providing the degree........
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by Clemson Goat.

Answer 6

There is a big difference in a lot of online college diploma mills and public universities offering degrees online. Even though I've never taken a class from one, there are some very good private colleges offering a combination of online- in person degrees as well. Yes, some are simply wanting the cash and will give you anything for a minimal amount of work.

In general, I've told people that choose to take online classes, take them through a regular public university or do a lot of research on the local private college offering evening or online classes. There are good ones out there.

This post was edited on 1/26 8:28 AM by SGamecock3

Originally posted on The Bad Apple by SGamecock3.

Answer 7

Depends on the class and professor like it does in any college.

I've had classes where the tests were 5 min timed tests with a clock clicking down the entire time. These were similiar to the old "open book tests" I had in college - which were always the most difficult tests.

In most of my classes that I took online we met once or twice a week online through a Citrix based system and the professor asked me the test questions just like we would sitting in his office. These were particuarly difficult because you were taking a verbal test, often with other class members on the phone call listening in after they had taken their own test.

The courses I took online were just like they were when I was sitting in a college classroom - some classes were pretty easy,others it seemed were almost impossible. As usual, it depended on the professor.

This post was edited on 1/26 8:26 AM by SGamecock3

Originally posted on The Bad Apple by SGamecock3.

Answer 8

1)Even though I've never taken a class from one, there are some very good private colleges offering a combination of online- in person degrees as well. How do you know if they are very good or not if you have never taken one ?

2)One post you stated you have never taken online courses and then in this post you are talking about taking online courses....Did I miss something here ?

This post was edited on 1/26 9:12 AM by Clemson Goat

Originally posted on The Bad Apple by Clemson Goat.

Answer 9

Good grief TS are you drunk?
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by 4forcu.

Answer 10

Here's a link to one I remember back when I was looking to get my MBA. That was almost 10 years ago but Kelley was already offering an online MBA curriculum that was widely regarded as one of the best. Links provide some good detail on how it all works.

Link: Kelley Direct
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by MotorCityChicken.

Answer 11

Clemson has an online doctoral program I'm considering. About 40% more expensive than the campus program. I need it to get cheaper.
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by Mat Fan.

Answer 12

You have some real anger issues. All he did was answer the mans question. There is nothing wrong with online courses if they are done correctly. Its 2012 a lot things can be done over the internet that couldn't be done 5 years ago.
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by clemtiger117.

Answer 13

1) Because I have several coworkers that have attended some of the various private colleges, I've seen how hard they work, how it benefitted them in business (I've seen them skip family vacations because they were working on graduate projects) and we've discussed the courses over the years.

2)I've never taken a online class from one of the private colleges (that's what I wrote "Even though I've never taken a class from one, there are some very good private colleges" that you hear about all the time)

I've taken online classes through regular public colleges.

This post was edited on 1/26 4:21 PM by SGamecock3

Originally posted on The Bad Apple by SGamecock3.

Answer 14

My wife has a RN to BSN degree from MCG in Augusta in an online format and is a couple of months from being a NP also online. Timed tests, some on-campus tests, group projects, and in-office clinicals. I don't believe one could slip through. I considered the Prof MBA program that USC has but I realized I don't want my bosses job so I don't nead an MBA.
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by USC92EEPE.

Answer 15

1) I've had coworkers that attended online and have heard good reports from some of them on certain colleges.


2) I've never taken an online course through a private college (as opposed to a public college). I've taken all of mine through a public college.
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by SGamecock3.

Answer 16

You want to look for an accredited school, if at all possible. Those degrees carry more weight. If you are looking to simply get a degree for your own reasons, you could look anywhere, I suppose. In some instances, there is a tremendous amount of reading you would have to do followed by rather lengthy papers. Online degrees are going to be less expensive and I think that many the criteria for accreditation will have to change so that more and more people are going to be able to legitimately compete for jobs in the marketplace. In other words, the degree will carry some weight. Hope this helps.
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by Preacher B.

Answer 17

great point Preacher B. Accredited is the key.
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by SGamecock3.

Answer 18

Clemson Goat, where did you earn your degree ?
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by FanmanDan.

Answer 19

Clemson Goat, where did you earn your degree ?
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by FanmanDan.

Answer 20

Greenville Technical College
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by Clemson Goat.

Answer 21

In general, the private colleges like Webster and others that have a local presence are pretty good options for adults looking for certain, specific programs.

However, as Clemson Goat did- check out the local technical colleges first. We have excellent technical colleges in South Carolina and they have a lot of excellent programs of study.
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by SGamecock3.

Answer 22

Greenville Tech has grown by leaps & bounds since my time there in 1979-80.
Originally posted on The Bad Apple by Clemson Goat.

Answer 23

Originally posted on The Bad Apple by ssuttle.