Online AAS or BS degree?

[MMiz]

It would be my suggestion to get a BS/BA degree in a field unrelated to EMS so you have another option should you so desire. I would think that a degree in Biology, the sciences, or really any subject would be more useful than a specialized degree in EMS.

I found that most of my colleagues that worked in EMS management had degrees in business, biology, sociology, and I didn't know a single person that had an Associate's degree in EMS or a related discipline.

There are hundreds and hundreds of colleges, not including the University of Phoenix and related schools, that offer quality BA/BS degrees online. If I were in your shoes I'd find one that was semi-local and go that route.

 

[bryncvp]

Just make sure you're going with a real university and not something like University of Phoenix, ITT Tech, etc.

I am a faculty memeber with the University of Phonenix (in my downtime). It is a real school with real standards and accreditation. It also has a main campus in Phoneix along with others all over the country. It isnt a mill but it also isnt Harvard. I wouldnt discount it just because it just because it doesnt have name recognition.

 

[MMiz]

I am a faculty memeber with the University of Phonenix (in my downtime). It is a real school with real standards and accreditation. It also has a main campus in Phoneix along with others all over the country. It isnt a mill but it also isnt Harvard. I wouldnt discount it just because it just because it doesnt have name recognition.

There is no question that the University of Phoenix has improved it's image over the past decade. Having said that, the school isn't even ranked, and is in the lower 50% of online universities.

Another issue at the University of Phoenix is the quality of instruction. There is no question that there are some great instructors, but the University of Phoenix is not a research institution, and 90%+ of their instructors are just part-time faculty. They don't offer a tenure track, with provides little incentive to teach for them.

Another factor to consider is the University of Phoenix's graduation rate. Their graduation rate is 16%, compared to that national average of over 50%. That's crazy.

The University of Phoenix also costs a lot more when compared to other similar programs.

Again, the University of Phoenix has come a long way in the past years, but there absolutely is a stigma when someone sees that on your application. There are hundreds of programs at major universities that are cheaper and most likely will offer a better education.

 

[usafmedic45]

Actually it's probably better recognized than a lot of older and more reputable schools. While it has accreditation there is more to being a reputable school than simply having accreditation. The problem is that it had for quite some time portrayed itself as the "easier" way to get a degree which backfired and made it sound like a diploma mill, which it may or may not be.

Another factor to consider is the University of Phoenix's graduation rate. Their graduation rate is 16%, compared to that national average of over 50%. That's crazy.

Granted I would trust a degree that the came out of University of Phoenix before I would one from IVYTECH (the local community college) because you have to be suspect of any school that has a 3% graduation rate. It does not even crack 10% if you include people who transfer out to a real university.

 

[bryncvp]

but the University of Phoenix is not a research institution, and 90%+ of their instructors are just part-time faculty. They don't offer a tenure track, with provides little incentive to teach for them.
QUOTE]


A lot of colleges arent research institutions...heck the college I work for which is a great school..is not a research institution. The one I got my masters from wasnt a research institution.

There are a lot of part time faculty..I am one of them..cant argue with that.

16% graduation rate..I have no idea but wouldnt surprise me because a lot of the students use these credits to transfer into a more traditional college/university.

I wouldnt say easier way to get a degree...more like..more likely to be done around your schedule.

 

[usafmedic45]

I wouldnt say easier way to get a degree...more like..more likely to be done around your schedule.

Right, but that's the impression a lot of people took from it, that it was a way to do an end run around the standards.

 

[ExpatMedic0]

Does anyone else have any other EMS degree's that can be completed online (or mostly online) from legit 2 and 4 year colleges?
Camden looks like what I am doing for myself, but it would be cool to compare.

 

[usafmedic45]

Does anyone else have any other EMS degree's that can be completed online (or mostly online) from legit 2 and 4 year colleges?
Camden looks like what I am doing for myself, but it would be cool to compare.

Not off the top of my head, but just remember that you don't have to do a degree in EMS and overspecializing is going to hurt you should you find yourself either unable to work in EMS (*cough* back injury *cough*) or not wanting to.

 

[ExpatMedic0]

Not off the top of my head, but just remember that you don't have to do a degree in EMS and overspecializing is going to hurt you should you find yourself either unable to work in EMS (*cough* back injury *cough*) or not wanting to.

True, but I have looked into Camdens AAS and it appears to transfer easily to many 4 year degree's should I decide to continue on or change things.

 

[usafmedic45]

I thought Oregon required their medics to have associate degrees? If you really want to go on to something, why screw around with the associate degree at all? Why not go straight for the bachelors which is what I am doing.

 

[ExpatMedic0]

I am starting an international job. I am just going to wrap up my AAS while abroad and then really look into a B.S. Oregon State has a great %100 complete distant learn B.S. and your degree + transcripts are the exact same as a %100 on campus student. So thats something I am going to look at and compare for a possible option in the future.

Yes Oregon Requires an AAS, I am working while on a probational cert your granted for your 2 years while completing your AAS with your medical directors approval and permission. After 2 years if you do not have your AAS the state yanks your licence.

EDIT: the only bad thing is an AAS transfer has residency credit requirements that I take X amount of credits from there college. So some of my biology and English classes will just go to waste unless I transfer them to a 4 year school at some point.

 

[Theo]

Western Carolina has a very good program that also has an online option for paramedics with an AAS or a degree in another field. They were one of the first universities in the nation to offer a BS in EMS if I'm not mistaken.

WCU has two separate concentrations for their BS in Emergency Medical Care... Science and Management. The science concentration is Pre-med, so if you plan on leaving EMS at some point, then you already have all of the pre-reqs to get into another field of study. The management concentration has a few more business/leadership courses involved and a little less science.

I've talked with their staff and program director before and they are very helpful and open to questions.