Are on-line degrees as well respected as on-campus?

[Lola77]

I want to pursue an MPH and in an ideal world, would drive to school and take classes. However, the closest school to me that offers an MPH is an hour away in Miami and I will have a 6 month old baby and will be working full time as a nurse (3 12's) while going to school. FIU in Miami also offers a totally on-line MPH, but I worry that it will not hold the same weight as a degree earned on campus.

What are your opinions? FIU is a large, state university so accreditation/being known is not a problem. I may also wish to pursue a doctorate, so this degree is important. I also worry that I will not be able to network and meet people if I do it all on-line.

Thank you for your advice/opinions. I have been thinking about this a lot.

[caliotter3]

It depends on what positions and institutions you plan on using the degree for. In most Nursing Jobs, the employer is interested in the status of your nursing license and the quantity and quality of your nursing experience. Your MPH degree will most likely only matter to the extent that an MPH degree is a requirement to apply for any one job. And online versus in-person won't come into the equation unless you bring it up in the interview. Almost all schools do not put "online" on the transcripts, so unless the interviewer is familiar with the program, they have no way of knowing you obtained it online.