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What online college is the best choice for a transitioning service member looking to start a career in Human Resources?

Veteran

Donald MacLean Fort Campbell, KY

Currently I am attending a Human Resource course through Onward to Opportunity - IVMF. I've finished the courseware and have received my certificate from Syracuse University and started another course called, Customer Service Excellence. I'm also studying for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) exam. I'd like to pursue a bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in human resources management. Problem is, I don't want to use my G.I. Bill because I need to transfer it to my 17 year old daughter that is a high school honor roll student and has her sights set on going to Murray State University. This only leaves me with option "b", using benefits from my future employer to attend college. That leaves me to my question. What online school is the right choice? They need to accept and transfer the most from my military, ITT Technical Institute, Grand Canyon University, and North Central Institute transcripts.

5 July 2018 8 replies Education & Training

Answers

Advisor

Tom Cal, CFA San Francisco, CA

It depends.
Geographic location is one consideration. Even if you plan to take courses online, it makes sense to prioritize schools located near where you want to live and work, and that have a significant alumni presence near where you want to live and work. Where do you want to live and work after you leave the military?

Also, it makes sense to prioritize schools that have alumni who work at employers where you want to work, in the career field you want to work in. Right now, do any target employers come to mind? Let us know, and then we can find colleges that have a meaningful number and percentage of alumni who work at these employers.

All else equal, I advise you prioritize schools with a strong alumni presence at the employers where you want to work, and in the locations where you want to work.

8 July 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Robert Jurasek Hollywood, FL

Dear Donald,

I also completed my B.A. at Thomas Edison State University. Advisor- Michael Gumeny has provided you with excellent information.

In addition to the credits for “life experience”, one of the reasons that I chose Thomas Edison was because they allowed credit for college classes taken more than ten years ago. Other colleges and universities only would offer credit for classes taken within the past ten years.

If you enroll at Thomas Edison, download the course catalog and do a word search for “(6 credits)”, as there are several courses offered for 6 credits, instead of the normal 3 credits. These courses may help you move things along, at a slightly quicker pace.

Good luck—and thank you for your Service!

Sincerely,
Bob Jurasek

7 July 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Michael Gumeny Nutley, NJ

Hi Donald,

My Alma Mater is Thomas Edison State University (TESU.edu). Like many universities today they offer degree programs completely online and will accept credits already earned from other accredited institutions. They also have a good reputation for Human Resources programs (check this link and scroll down to "Human Resources"): https://www.tesu.edu/academics/what-you-can-study#h

However, they also offer this unique method (or at least is was when I attended) for earning credits for "life experience" that may be helpful for someone like you with over a decade of experience in the Army. They have a team of advisers that help you match skills and experience that you already have with college-level courses and, through various methods like testing, portfolio, etc., if you can prove that you already have the knowledge they will award you the credits.

For example, after being a computer programmer for over 10 years I was able to put together, and have validated, a portfolio of my work that matched college courses like "Business System Design", "Software Development", etc., and earned 12 credits. I also took proctored CLEP tests at a nearby colleges for things that I already knew and earned credits in other subjects.

This could potentially be a way to translate your military experience into college credits without having to sit through semesters of courses for material that you already know ("Organizational Management" comes to mind!).

It's not always the easiest route, especially the portfolio method, but it may be worth a look.

Good luck!

Sincerely,
Michael Gumeny

5 July 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Nancy Quartey Palo Alto, CA

Hi Donald,
I am not sure if you qualify, but you should also look into the Vocational Rehab program. It is not widely publicized but offers possibly even greater benefits than the 9/11 GI Bill as long as you have a certain percentage of disability. That way you could save the GI Bill for your daughter.
Also, have you considered business ownership? You may find that you could invest in a business model that offers training and control of your career. If you'd like to discuss it, please feel free to email me at nquartey@esourcecoach.com.
Best,
Nancy

Advisor

Thomas Pear Cape Coral, FL

Donald,

I think you are wise to look at cost.

I would look at state universities and colleges first. Many people have finished private schools straddled with huge debts, used up their education benefits, or even both.

I realize state schools may not allow in-state tuition rates for online programs.

However, you may be able to find a good residential program that allows you to take a certain amount of online classes as part of the program. This may save you money through in-state tuition because you could do your online classes while on duty, or just dealing with a busy civilian life.

A state school may offer a program that is mostly online, having you attend only a few residential classes, that you can fit into your schedule. Some schools offer summer programs where you can finish a required-residential class in only a couple weeks by having you attend the class several hours a day for the two-week period.

You could do other residential classes as you garner more free time, and some professors may be willing to work with you. For example, I have residential students in the Reserves and National Guard. I work with them to finish their courses through an online platform such as Canvas or Blackboard. They simply submit their work from where they are stationed.

Check out the University of Kentucky or any state school in Kentucky (maybe even Murray State) and see if they offer the program you are looking for with in-state tuition. Some school even offer blended online and residential programs.

In Florida, community colleges were revamped to offer four-year-degree programs (bachelor degrees.) I believe community colleges in other states are also offering four-year-degrees as well. These are less expensive and just as credible.

Best of luck to you, and thank you for your service.

Veteran

Donald MacLean Fort Campbell, KY

Tom,

Q: What degree program are you seeking?
A: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management.

Q: Why this degree option?
A: Most HR job postings require you to have at least 2-3 years’ experience and a Business Administration/Human Resources related bachelor's degree. Now I can translate my military experience to support my HR career choice. But I will still need that degree to progress in the corporate HR industry. Once I obtain the bachelor's degree, I'll then need to obtain my MBA degree. Again, for upward mobility.

Q: What actual real-world data do you have about outcomes related to this sort of degree?
A: After speaking with James Johnstone (SVP of Human Resources at WWE Entertainment) for over an hour on the phone. While going over higher education requirements, he had mentioned that though having experience in HR is great but if a higher position opens and you are one of many candidates selected for the promotion. The candidate with more quantifiable training and experience will more then likely be selected over someone with just experience alone.

Q: What's the closest option Vanderbilt offers?
A: They do not have any bachelor’s program for BA or HR.

Q: If you get the job, and you can earn a degree for free, I recommend you seriously consider a degree from Vanderbilt?
A: Vanderbilt offers Tuition Reimbursement up 75%. Still a good offer but only if they had the program I’m looking for.

Q: What schools in or near Nashville offer the specific program you are seeking?
A: http://troy.edu/clarksville this is the only one near me with a program I’m looking for.

Advisor

Tom Cal, CFA San Francisco, CA

What degree program are you seeking?

Why this degree option?

What actual real world data do you have about outcomes related to this sort of degree?

What's the closest option Vanderbilt offers?

If you get the job, and you can earn a degree for free, I recommend you seriously consider a degree from Vanderbilt?

What schools in or near Nashville offer the specific program you are seeking?

Happy to talk about this, and to provide referrals to efforts such as https://service2school.org .

Veteran

Donald MacLean Fort Campbell, KY

Michael Gumeny, thank you so much for all your advice and valuable information. I will look in to Thomas Edison State University (TESU.edu) and see what they can do for me and my goals.

Bob Jurasek, I will certainly look for the 6 credit courses as well when considering TESU. Thanks!

Tom Cal, thanks for your comment. My goal is to stay near the Nashville, Tennessee Area. I'm also in works to try and obtain an HR position with Vanderbilt University (keeping fingers crossed). Now I know what your thinking, "Why don't you attend their school?" Because when I looked at their catalog of degree programs they offer, there was no bachelor program for what I'm looking for. However, they do have a good MBA program. But that's a bit out of my reach as of yet.

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