Is an associate degree from Virtual University worth it?

[assassin8097]

My cousin wasted a lot of time after matriculation and is now doing FA. He will be done with it next year and he was thinking what he should do. I looked at VU's website and found out about these associate degrees. There are 3 subjects; Database Management System, Web Design and Development and Computer Networking. Other than associate, I also look at their B.Sc Computer science program, which is also a 2 years program. He is interested in computers and he seems to be good at programming to me. Now I am worried because there are so many people in computer science (me too) and jobs are limited due to which even computer science people are turning towards networking and database jobs which are usually low paying as compared to software development or other mainstream work. Now, will an associate degree be able to help if the person has a good knowledge of his field. My cousin cannot go for 4 years program because his family has limited their support for him and he has to stand for himself asap. I am thinking, he should do associate, get a job, and after sometime go into the 5th semester of CS at VU as this option is valid. Your thoughts please.
Thank you.

 

[Saadi boy]

hmmm VU is not a good option in my opinion, I'd suggest him to do BSCS from any normal university.

 

[GuyfromKarachi]

I'm assuming by Virtual University, you mean places like University of Phoenix and others.

If so, then I strongly recommend against it. These are for-profit institutions (unlike all other schools in the States which are non-profit) whose sole purpose is to financially gouge their clients (students). Furthermore, most of them don't even offer accredited degrees; so if you go and try to seek employment, most places will not accept your degree simply because it isn't valid. Even at a psychological level, it doesn't matter if you have a terrific resume, most rec

There's been a lot of growing backlash in the States against these institutions; particularly of how they prey and take advantage of poor students unaware of the reputation of these institutions.

So yeah, I would strongly recommend against this idea. Its a waste of time and money.

If he is interested in CS, and simply lacks hte financial assets to go to a traditional institute, I would encourage him to use online courses from MIT, Cornell, Harvard and others to get his education. Then build up a resume either by participating in open source projects, or seeking out his own clients.

Of course that is not my field, so perhaps someone can offer some better advice...but yeah, I would strongly urge you to avoid these for-profit Virtual Universities.

 

[GuyfromKarachi]

Whooops, sorry I posteed twice for some reason...

 

[ahmad94]

plz ask him to seek part time or evening program.

good basic degree is important rather than bsc or associate in onlien enviroment.

one more suggestion to u. as u said " he seem to be good in programming " so he must know basic

- give pvtly bsc exam from some univ in his region. it counts as 2 year degree just have to give papers and get practical of it done no heavy study need
- enroll in 2 year msc comp science program (available in evening or weekend)

this way he can start job quickly as u say he need to support his family. he have a bsc degree rest pvt or not no one cares in IT matters what u know and can do