By Zachary Randles
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Does earning an MBA in 15 months sound good? How about if you were able to do it on a flexible schedule while working your full-time job?
Tonya Gordon, a graduate of Texas Woman's University (TWU, Houston, TX) and a member of the alumni association, thought it was a great idea. She ended up with her dream job, doubled her salary, and feels challenged and fulfilled every day. And it all happened within a few months of receiving her degree.
Because of Gordon's busy schedule, commuting to a brick-and-mortar school and sitting in a classroom for hours each week was impossible. "I was working full time, and commuting back and forth to work, so attending class in person was just not an option for me," she says.
Through her connections at the TWU alumni association, she learned of the school's online degree program. "I figured that since they already had my transcripts, it might be easier to get in," she says. She was correct in her assumption; TWU admitted her into the program and 15 months later, she earned her MBA.
Gordon's experience as one of the charter members of the program meant she was one of the first TWU students to realize the benefits of online learning. Quickly discovering the flexibility of her class schedule and the ability to take one class at a time helped her earn her degree productively. After completing one class, she promptly enrolled in another one, usually completing three to four courses each semester.
Carolyne Hill-Hannon, a student of Strayer University (headquartered in Arlington, VA) thought her college years were going to be extended, but not by choice. She was moving across the country and ran into a common problem many transfer students encounter.
"The school I had applied to in California didn't accept a year's worth of my credits," she says. "This meant added time and expenses I hadn't planned on, so completing my bachelor's degree didn't seem like an option."
Frustrated and discouraged, the 41-year-old quickly realized that, despite being located in another state, Strayer could help her overcome this obstacle. In the school's course catalogue, Hill-Hannon noticed many online course offerings, which she thought would be perfect. Her plan was to finish her last year at Strayer while living in California.
Hill-Hannon was so impressed with the program, she didn't stop after earning her bachelor's. "Even though I was still in California, I continued taking online classes until I had earned my MBA from Strayer," she says. For the contract manager, the learning hasn't stopped: She was recently accepted into Western State University's College of Law (Fullerton, CA).
Pat Carroll, an Excelsior College student, needed to earn her bachelor of science degree in nursing in a hurry. "The American Nurses Association amended their criteria, and for me to continue teaching continuing education programs, I had to earn a B.S.," she explains.
With several degrees already under her belt, including a master's in education, plus a full-time job and a full schedule outside of work, Carroll had some major decisions to make.
Finding a program that accommodated her busy schedule was key. She had already attended a New York state school for her other degrees, so she was familiar with Excelsior College, an Albany, NY-based institution with an online program.
Carroll enrolled, and immediately realized the benefits of learning on her own time. "I loved the fact that I didn't have to be geographically tied to the same area [as the school]," she says. "I was pleasantly surprised to be treated like a talented, motivated professional," something she recalls was not always the case in a regular classroom environment.
Communication Breakthrough
Gordon, Hill-Hannon, and Carroll all interacted through study groups, online chat sessions, conference calls, and e-mail. Their professors were extremely helpful and gave several support options with office hours, quick responses to e-mails, and individual appointments.
"Other students from past programs gave insider tips, which really helped me reach my goals," recalls Carroll. "Plus, the program supplies an online area where you can post your name, city, state, and e-mail address so other students can communicate with you to both give and get help."
With professors setting up chat rooms, scheduled discussions, and conference calls, there was plenty of interaction. The schools also posted all the materials for each class online so they were accessible 24 hours a day.
However, eLearning was not without its challenges. Interacting online to get answers to her questions and working on projects did not always satisfy Gordon. She felt there's better communication in person than on the online chat sessions. "With 50 people 'talking' at a time in a chat room, the conversation was not flowing steadily enough for me," she says. "I enjoy meeting with people face-to-face."
Most online programs do not have that face-to-face element, however, studies have shown that there's no significant difference between online and on-campus learning.
For Hill-Hannon, the 3,000-mile barrier between her and her classmates certainly didn't make a difference. Her academic routine included study groups and projects held online and via conference calls. "Online learning saved me a huge amount of time by cutting out the commute and allowing me to do classwork during evenings and weekends."
Intensity Coupled With Convenience
Hill-Hannon and Gordon noticed a tremendous difference in online classes with the time they were saving, especially as they juggled full-time study with work and home responsibilities.
Although Gordon's program required on-campus attendance to complete presentations, take tests, and listen to lectures, those portions were all scheduled on Saturdays. "Not all of my classes were arranged like this [an on-campus component]," she says. "It all depended on the professor."
Gordon, however, consistently arranged study time when it was convenient for her. "My set schedule for classes was online in the evenings and sometimes on the weekend." She had a choice of two different types of classes: Synchronized ("where you actually hear the professor talking live"), and asynchronized ("classes have recorded audio, which is a little more difficult to follow, but is still worth it for the time saved vs. an in-person class").
Carroll's nursing program included two major exams that had to be completed in order to earn the degree. "The school sent out a master book of tests that is the ultimate study guide," she explains. "The tests are expensive, difficult, and long, so cramming two weeks before is not going to get a passing grade." In fact, Carroll was the only one in her group of eight who passed the test on the first try. "No one is pushing you to complete the work. It's all up to you."
If you think earning your degree online is the easy way out, think again. "Professors did not cut any breaks," recalls Gordon. "There was a lot of material to cover in a short amount of time, but most professors tried to highlight the important issues," she explained.
The Cyber Path to Success
For Gordon, her eLearning experience motivated her to explore eCommerce. As a group manager for Blockbuster's online customer loyalty department, she helped launch their online rental program. Learning online was what empowered her current role in the online world, she says.
"I have a better understanding of the different experiences and problems people encounter online, which helps me help the customer," she says.
When Hill-Hannon applied for her current job, her manager was puzzled as he reviewed her résumé. He couldn't understand how she was attending Strayer University in Virginia while living in California. After a quick lesson on online programs, she not only intrigued him, but landed the job. What she stressed about the endeavor was the amount of motivation needed to succeed. "In order to complete an online degree, you need to self-discipline" she emphasizes. "You can't just log in, walk away, watch TV, and expect to learn. You have to want to learn and realize this is your classroom."
Likewise, Gordon recommends online learning to her friends and colleagues, but she, too, stresses the dedication and diligence needed, and that it's worth the effort in the end. "It only takes 15 months to complete the MBA program," she says. "I tell them they should stop talking about doing it and just sign up."
Such motivation has not only meant success for Carroll, but has also launched her new career as an author. She has a PBS special and has appeared as an expert on a number of radio and TV shows, most recently "The View." She is also promoting her latest book, What Nurses Know and Doctors Don't Have Time to Tell You (Perigee Books/Penguin Group, Inc., 2004).
If you want to make a healthy change in your life, and you ask these three women, the advice will be the same: Education. As Carroll puts it: "Online learning is wonderful and very innovative, a real breath of fresh air."
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