Expert: Bruce - 8/15/2006

Question
Do you think that adult or part time programs offered at Universities such as Columbia's School of General Studies, Upenn's College of General Studies, NYU's Mc Ghee Division, and Johns Hopkins School of Professional Studies in Business and Education,Yale's Eli Whitney program and other adult programs are considered equivelant and have the same prestige as attending the traditional schools at Universities.Do you think employer's, academia, and the general public distinguish or even know the difference between these schools. Also do you think the quality of the education is the same.

Answer
Eric,

Interesting question.

My sense is that non-traditional programs from schools with very good reputations like the ones you list will be viewed in a positive light. I don't think that these kinds of places would enter into this type of programming if they could not do it well, as to do so would jeopardize their overall reputation.

Keep in mind too that most of the time on job applications you'll be asked to list the college you graduated from, but not necessarily the division or school. I'm not even sure that grad schools will get that specific, at least until you are deep in the process.

A canny employer will also recognize that someone who has completed a non-trad program, while also holding down other life responsibilities, like job and family, is a pretty motivated individual, the kind that can help their organization. I know that the faculty at the college I work at don't see many non-trad students, but they love having them in their classes when they do come along.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions.

Bruce