Acceptance of Distance/Online Degrees by Other Colleges and Universities

[macmagick]

I have taken online classes through California State University, Dominguez Hills working on my BSN (I am a diploma RN). I agree with others who have commented the coursework is not easy and I too have written many papers which are required for these online courses. I mention this because when I recieve an "A" or "B" from an online course, I feel I have earned it and that I am taking and passing courses at a collegiate level. It has come to my attention that some colleges and universities frown upon a degree earned via distance or online learning. I guess I do not understand? If I am attending a college or university "online" or via "distance learning" and it is an accredited university or college, doesn't the accreditation and my course grades speak for themselves? I am posting this thread because after I achieve my BSN, I do plan to apply to a MSN program. While I realize MSN programs are also available online and through distance education, I would hope that my earned BSN from an accredited college or university would not be challenaged or become a hindrance because I earned it "Online" or by "Distance Learning". I would be interested in hearing from others who have obtained their degrees online or through distance learning and who have gone on to obtain MSN or higher degrees at other Universities or Colleges.

[poe me]

Don't worry Poe. You're entitled to your opinion even if some people don't like it.

I've often wondered about online cheating. Not because I know of any instances of cheating with online universities, I don't. But I have run websites in the past and a good hacker can do just about anything, even with the best site security.

It takes a tremendous amount of time and skill to fight hackers, and it requires constant monitoring and changes to deal with it. Even with the latest security updates, and the best tech staff, you're still vulnerable.

So I wouldn't be surprized if it's happening.

Thank's lizz for poiting this out I never thought about hackers and there are some that are out there. My point is when you are at home and there is no teacher no other students, when it comes to taking those online exams there will be some who will look in there books at their notes and any other reference to get the answer. There are a lot of abbreviations on the exams if they don't know one they won't guess and put the wrong answer they will look it up. Who's gonna risk failing a test if they don't have too. If your in a classroom the chances of someone cheating is small and yes there are some that have done this only to recieve an F for the course. Many teachers watch you like a hawk so you will take your studying very seriously. I'm not against an RN completing their BSN/MSN thru the web, this is about web based LPN-ASN. Maybe there should be some changes like having the students come to the campus or a satelite campus to take the exams like they do in telecourses.

[opalmRN]

I'm not against an RN completing their BSN/MSN thru the web, this is about web based LPN-ASN.

And that would be because those individuals would never cheat?

Sorry but cheating is done by all types of individuals in all walks of life in all professions.

[Sheri257]

Thank's lizz for pointing this out I never thought about hackers and there are some that are out there. My point is when you are at home and there is no teacher no other students, when it comes to taking those online exams there will be some who will look in there books at their notes and any other reference to get the answer. There are a lot of abbreviations on the exams if they don't know one they won't guess and put the wrong answer they will look it up. Who's gonna risk failing a test if they don't have too. If your in a classroom the chances of someone cheating is small and yes there are some that have done this only to recieve an F for the course. Many teachers watch you like a hawk so you will take your studying very seriously.

Interesting point. I have a question. I guess it depends upon the program, but I wonder if there are time limits on these tests. If there are, it might be harder to cheat.

Prior to our testing lab renovation, I was told that people did try to look up answers, but if they hadn't studied, they usually flunked anyway because they ran out of time. Usually there was way too much test material for them to look up all the answers.

Obviously there are lots of different online programs, and they may all be different, but how are these tests typically structured? Do you think a time limit might help?

[mona b RN, BSN, RN]

Thank's lizz for poiting this out I never thought about hackers and there are some that are out there. My point is when you are at home and there is no teacher no other students, when it comes to taking those online exams there will be some who will look in there books at their notes and any other reference to get the answer. There are a lot of abbreviations on the exams if they don't know one they won't guess and put the wrong answer they will look it up. Who's gonna risk failing a test if they don't have too. If your in a classroom the chances of someone cheating is small and yes there are some that have done this only to recieve an F for the course. Many teachers watch you like a hawk so you will take your studying very seriously. I'm not against an RN completing their BSN/MSN thru the web, this is about web based LPN-ASN. Maybe there should be some changes like having the students come to the campus or a satelite campus to take the exams like they do in telecourses.

Poe me,

Have you ever given any thought to the fact that DCN may have had a bad run with just a few students. The tests are timed which makes it alot harder to cheat.

Many students are interested in actually learning the content. There is probably no cheating the nclex so you would really just be hanging yourself by cheating through the program. I mean I don't want to waste a large amount of money for nothing in the end, would you?

mona

[deej]

Thank's lizz for poiting this out I never thought about hackers and there are some that are out there. My point is when you are at home and there is no teacher no other students, when it comes to taking those online exams there will be some who will look in there books at their notes and any other reference to get the answer. There are a lot of abbreviations on the exams if they don't know one they won't guess and put the wrong answer they will look it up. Who's gonna risk failing a test if they don't have too. If your in a classroom the chances of someone cheating is small and yes there are some that have done this only to recieve an F for the course. Many teachers watch you like a hawk so you will take your studying very seriously. I'm not against an RN completing their BSN/MSN thru the web, this is about web based LPN-ASN. Maybe there should be some changes like having the students come to the campus or a satelite campus to take the exams like they do in telecourses.

Hmmmm, I've taken about 8 tests from Excelsior so far, and every one of them has been in a secure testing center, where I have to show two forms of ID, take off my sweatshirt because it has pockets, leave my car keys in a locker, and be videotaped for the entire test taking process.

[poe me]

Hmmmm, I've taken about 8 tests from Excelsior so far, and every one of them has been in a secure testing center, where I have to show two forms of ID, take off my sweatshirt because it has pockets, leave my car keys in a locker, and be videotaped for the entire test taking process.

To make this very clear toooo you, at DCN you take the test on your computer at home no videotaping,cameras,checking id's none of that just you.

[mona b RN, BSN, RN]

To make this very clear toooo you, at DCN you take the test on your computer at home no videotaping,cameras,checking id's none of that just you.

Have you ever taken an open book exam?

mona

[NICURNtobe]

I would love to know what poe's beef is with DCN. You knock it every chance you get. You must have flunked out or had a bad run-in with someone there to be so negative about it. Why do you keep talking about it???

[Sheri257]

I would love to know what poe's beef is with DCN. You knock it every chance you get. You must have flunked out or had a bad run-in with someone there to be so negative about it. Why do you keep talking about it???

Why do you guys keep jumping on Poe? Some of you say people are entitled to their opinion but, you jump on Poe everytime he/she mentions a concern. I realize that distance learning students are going to be defensive but, at the same time, no one is required to write press releases for distance learning programs.

The fact is, distance learning programs are controversial, especially in nursing. And I'm not just talking about Excelsior or DCN but, as the OP pointed out, other online programs as well.

I'm actually familiar with the Cal State program the OP mentioned. The head of my ADN program runs a satellite ADN-BSN program for them. However, if the OP is experiencing some bad feedback because it's online, that's very useful info for me to investigate, since I'm considering that program for when I complete my ADN.

The fact is, there are legitimate questions about universities, hospitals and other employers accepting online programs. Some do, but some don't. Students need to know all the facts before investing in any program, whether its traditional or online.

I think all of this pressure to present only one side of the issue is wrong and a disservice to those who are trying to obtain legitimate information from both sides.

This is a distance learning/independent study forum. It's not a white wash, let's ignore all of the other issues forum.

[mona b RN, BSN, RN]

Lizz,

We don't keep picking on Poe Me. She is attacking online nursing programs making derogative statements. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that she thinks everyone or most online students are plagerising and cheating.

Why you are defending posts that seem to be coming from a close minded individual is beyond me. I have seen some of your posts and it's blatantly apparent that you like a good debate. However, you seem to invite debate and that is good, poe me seems to just want to slam the D/L students when she posts on this bb.

There doesn't seem to be any good or valid debates coming from her, only her view of things.

We get the fact that Poe Me does not like the online lpn-rn programs, but the way she throws the assumptions around about cheating is not very nice.

mona

[Sheri257]

We get the fact that Poe Me does not like the online lpn-rn programs, but the way she throws the assumptions around about cheating is not very nice.

Well, this is the problem with the online debate, IMHO.

It's not a question of being nice or not. It's question of whether legitimate information, both good and bad, can be presented in these threads without people being torn to shreds.

If Poe assumes cheating is going on, that's not a flame or slamming a program. That's a legitimate concern, and it's not out of left field. Even with timed tests and some supervision, my school still felt compelled to rearrange the testing lab to prevent it. If the opportunity is there, some students will cheat. And if there is more opportunity with certain online programs, it's not crazy to assume that there will be more cheating.

I don't always agree with everything Poe says. I just don't think dissenting voices should be discouraged on this important issue. And I sometimes feel that online students do that too much.

The OP's info about the Cal State online program concerns is very important to me personally. If people feel pressured not to post important information like that, just because it's not always a glowing endorsement, I feel it's a disservice.

While I am in a traditional ADN program, I'm personally split on the online issue 50/50 for my advanced educational plans. And I need to hear all of it, both good and bad, before I make a decision.

[mona b RN, BSN, RN]

Well, this is the problem with the online debate, IMHO.

It's not a question of being nice or not. It's question of whether legitimate information, both good and bad, can be presented in these threads without people being torn to shreds.

If Poe assumes cheating is going on, that's not a flame or slamming a program. That's a legitimate concern, and it's not out of left field. Even with timed tests and some supervision, my school still felt compelled to rearrange the testing lab to prevent it. If the opportunity is there, some students will cheat. And if there is more opportunity with certain online programs, it's not crazy to assume that there will be more cheating.

I don't always agree with everything Poe says. I just don't think dissenting voices should be discouraged on this important issue. And I sometimes feel that online students do that too much.

The OP's info about the Cal State online program concerns is very important to me personally. If people feel pressured not to post important information like that, just because it's not always a glowing endorsement, I feel it's a disservice.

While I am in a traditional ADN program, I'm personally split on the online issue 50/50 for my advanced educational plans. And I need to hear all of it, both good and bad, before I make a decision.

Lizz,

You make good valid points here and I happen to agree with some of them. However, you cannot tell me that Poe Me is not slamming DCN. Just go back and search the posts.

There is no intelligent conversation coming from poe me, only criticism. I am all for pros/cons and debate but poe me is stepping on alot of toes here.

There was a post poe me made about the DCN program not being accreddited, well that's nonsense, the adn is fully accreddited(sp?). It's post like this that are getting some people upset.

mona