Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Don, B.S. in Criminal Justice
How much did it cost you?
The associate's degree was approximately $6,000, give or take. The bachelors degree price is somewhat skewed because I briefly attended Kaplan University, headquartered in New York, which is a bit more expensive than Southwestern College, but I would say that counting the $6,000 Ashworth College cost me, I spent in the neighborhood of $21,000 to $25,000, excluding book costs.
Name: Don Palmer
Age: 28
Marital Status: Married
Current Location: Texas
Advice to Online Students: "Student support is the single most important aspect of online learning... so make sure that the school you choose has excellent student support."
School: Southwestern College
Target: B.S. in Criminal Justice, 2006
How did your employer view your online associate's degree?
Exactly the same as a campus-based degree.
Do you have any advice for prospective students about distance learning?
Make a schedule for yourself and keep it. If you don't, you will dangle in the breeze, you'll never know what to do or when or when your work is expected, your grades will suffer, you will suffer and your family and friends will suffer.
Without a schedule you will fall behind, your stress level will go through the roof and you may even lose the desire to keep working towards your degree. Make a schedule and stick to it.
If you are considering an online education, pick the school that is right for you. Don't choose a school because they have a great football team or because you know of a famous celebrity who went there. Choose a school that has the curriculum and student support you need.
Student support is the single most important aspect of online learning, without the ability to call someone or email a question, your experience can quickly turn sour. Make sure that the school you choose has excellent student support.
Also, you have to realize that online learning is not a shortcut. I have met many people who started a program thinking it was a quick or easy way to a degree only to become overwhelmed and quit a short time later.
Online is online, nothing more, nothing less. All of the coursework and expectations are still there as for any campus-based student, so be ready to work.
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