law school/education question.

What is everyone's take on distance learning/Those places that offer BA/BS Degree programs online. Are these reputable places or a crock of shit?

I finished a 2 year degree at a technical college but no one will accept the credits, I need a 4yr degree to get into law school (ANY 4yr degree will work. My Dad, and my fiance's two bosses (victor and brent) are all on the admissions board for MC Law School and if I want into law school I will get in, I just need a 4yr degree and a 3.0 GPA)

What would be the best way for me to quickly obtain my 4yr degree to get into law school.

Those "get your degree quick" schemes should be investigated. There are some that allow you to buy a diploma -- you get even less than what you pay for. Some of the online programs are legitimate although I'm not sure of the perception with regard to graduate programs. Much would probably depend upon how the program is administrated.

Most law schools require accredited colleges and you should definitely check with the admissions departments of schools that you wish to attend as to whether they would accept such programs. For example, here is a sample application to St. John's University School of Law.

http://www.embark.com/apply/tour/tour_step1.asp

programs touting a degree quickly are sketchy because a degree is a degree, and it requires a lot of work(which usually takes a particular amount of time). it's like the old adage of something good taking time. i don't see how it can be a legitimate degree if not.
jon's post below saying to beware those offering to have you "buy" a degree is good advice. those places probably aren't even accredited as he says;legit places wouldn't be so fraudulent and put their reps on the line.
there IS a growing trend of distance learning, if you meant the word for what it means, and many schools are jumping on the bandwagon to catch those "consumers" w/ busy lives and commitments which hold them back from routine campus involvement;however, that sounds different from what you were suggesting. if i inferred incorrectly, and the latter is what you mean, by all means check it out, BUT it does come w/ many disadvantages(at least in my opinion). my philosophical question is wondering if technology can really replace the effect of a classroom environment? it technically can, and does as we're witnessing, but at what value? i took a literature class which had my teacher splitting her time being face-to-face w/ us and a class at the downtown campus. perhaps the schools didn't have the bugs ironed out, but you missed SO MUCH as you couldn't hear comments well, couldn't see expressions, (etc). we all felt strange sitting in an empty room and watching a screen..lol...to me, there's nothing that can replace the back-and-forth discussions classroom banter offers. that example is just one type of distance learning. many schools(almost all large campuses) also offer internet classes, but i don't like that, either..lol...i'm a self-starter(so initiative wouldn't be hard, and that's probably a drawback for those needing the stimulation of peers and a learning environment), but you can't have too many ah-ha(lightbulb going off)moments with no other insights from people except yourself. it's so valuable to see and hear from fellow classmates;that's almost just as valuable as the text itself! the school campus has so many resources at your disposal;i think it's advantageous to pursue that route if possible. i know you quickly want your degree, any degree as you say, so you may move ahead, but don't short an experience which should be producing an inquisitive mind which you'll need for a broadly-encompassing career.

I would like to be very frank in replying to the original questions.

If you have 2 years under your belt, you have 2 years to go.
If you went to a junior college, there should be a university near enough that works hand in hand with that junior college.
As for the "buy-a-degree" deals and the "quick-grad" deals, they can all kiss my #%$. I've been beating my head against the walls of college for nearly 4 years while holding a full time job as well. I will graduate in December very proud of my accomplishments, and having gained knowledge and life skills no computer or video can offer.

Above all, be true to yourself. Are you really going to be content with a Cracker-Jack degree? Are you going to be prepared to face the strains of law school having little more than low-level college classes? I doubt it very seriously. There is a reason people like myself work their tails off to succeed. It's not all just about making money or gaining a title. It's also about building selfconfidence, wisdom, pride and to gain the respect of your peers you will be spending countless hours studying with and those whom have already endured the tasks required to be a lawyer.

Best of luck,
jm

Thank you all for your responses.

I am not sure if I made myself clear, I am not going to sacrifice speed of my degree for quality of education, and I think I came off as that I would just take any old 4yr degree, which was false. After a lot of consideration and talking with my dad (he is a lawyer) I have decided I am going to do an Adult program at a local university. It will allow me to do all my classes at night and will take up 3 more years and the degree program is Business Administration, which is quite a jump from computer science, but, alas, no colleges around me offers CIS/MIS classes at nights.

You should also seriously consider how the degree is perceived in general before you apply to law school. First, a law school admissions committee might not be as impressed with you in comparison to someone who got their degree in a more recognizeable fashion. This isn't to say Marla's post isn't right on the money about degree's from home becoming far more common.

You might also change your mind prior to law school. A year or two from now things could change a lot. If you put all your eggs in one basket, that the undergrad degree is really nothing and will not be looked at when you have the grad degree, changing your mind will be more difficult. But I find in MIS/CIS you have a lot more options as people look more at what you can do before the school. That's usually concerning programming.

I dont know if this would be up your alley or not but St. John's University, which is an accredited university offers a type of distance learning which you can particiate in classes by computer.
If you go to their website you can obtain more information on it their. www.stjohns.edu
Personally I attend the school and an looking into taking a few of their distance learning classes online for next semester bc it gets tough sometimes being a single parent. But I hear its great.

St. John's University is a huge place and they have a tremendous number of options, including courses with regard to law enforcement, a well-known law school, and much more.

distance learning

I am currently in a 2 yr. Associate of Applied Science/Paralegal program via distance learning. So far, I have been very pleased with the academics (a lot of reading+books+writing). I have just started my third semester.
My question is, after I get done with the AAS, how do I transfer credits to complete a bachelors, then on to law school? I would like to keep on distance learning, as I take care of my elderly parent 24/7.

distance learning

I am currently in a 2 yr. Associate of Applied Science/Paralegal program via distance learning. So far, I have been very pleased with the academics (a lot of reading+books+writing). I have just started my third semester.
My question is, after I get done with the AAS, how do I transfer credits to complete a bachelors, then on to law school? I would like to keep on distance learning, as I take care of my elderly parent 24/7.

Paul - your question is so specialized that it would have to be answered by either the law schools which you hope to attend or more likely the accredited school where you are obtaining your bachelors. I think if the law school accepts your bachelors, it's really up to the school you get your bachelors from to make the determination. Good luck and stick with it!

Degrees

Hi, I understand the topic well: I had a degree and needed another one because every employer wants something different. I got a DETC accredited B.S, instantly happy employer and it was a lot of work. I think fear begets fear and there is a lot of fearful talk because schools are afraid that people will save time and money by studying and caring about what they are learning instead of showing up on campus. Most of the lectures I attended at my first college were impersonal, face to face interaction?? Most people who are complaining about work/life and working hard on a real degree are complaining about driving, commuting, working, parking, not studying.

Instead of working they are looking for validation. Find out what you need to accomplish your goal and make sure it's worthwhile, having worked at a law firm as an assistant I know you got to get those skills. Getting a degree just to have a degree is not enough, know what you are working towards: If your friends and family are behind you, then you may be well to go that way, but at least check into what your law school admissions policy is before hand. How can that hurt? and beware of all that fear talking, these are not the voices of experience.

And most colleges and universities offer online courses, and ever heard of advanced placement testing? That's where you took a test to place higher than others? Before distance learning lots of people took tests to place higher and eliminate courses that were basic: Why learn what you already know?

Check with the State's department of Education to find out, what is considered "accredited". I have to laugh though at those remarks about how online degrees must be a waste of time, some people have actually been getting degrees at least partly through testing and online study for years, ever consider how someone earns a degree while in the Army???

Natalie

Paul
I am also doing a Distance Learning program . I have the same hopes as you do . I work 50-60 hours a week and have 5 kids . I do not have time to work around a normal college schedule . Distance Learning is so much more excepted now days . I hope by the time I earn my Bachelors that george Mason might consider me for their Law program . Just keep working on it . It is something to have your Assoicates or BA . I figured it is more than what I have now . I find the program to be very good . I am happy with my studies . Not everyone has time to go to a normal college . I would love to . Where can I do that and still work 6 days a week and raise my kids .