Dilemma, dilemma, dilemma.......

I work in the healthcare industry and contemplating going to school for MT (Medical Transcription) or MBC (Medical/Billing Coder).

The problem? Here is my scenario. I get up at 4:15 am and out the door at 5:15 am (hubby drives me to the drop off where I pick up the public transportation and commute for an hour). Get off work at 4pm and ride commute back. Our community college is 45 minutes further past our house to go and it would be a RUSH situation to get to class.

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There are SO many online courses and one thing that I'm afraid of.... will companies hire outside sources with no classroom education with liability issues, etc?

I actually make more than coders start out and I'm really looking to do this as an outside resourse.

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Classroom cost: $1395.00
Online cost: $12,000.00

The time that I catch the van for work is the ONLY one I can catch due to my hours (can't be moved around).

We're saving for a 2nd car for this purpose.

Ideas? Suggestions/Comments appreciated

That's a huge difference in cost -- if I could manage the classroom, I'd do it.

I teach VERY part time for a college. There are many kind of set ups. Like...the university that I teach for is located in central Indiana (I live in Northern) and they are offering classes all over the state and Ohio and KY. I would check with your human resources to see what other options are in the area. They would have access to other schools as well.

As long as the classes you are taking are from a reputable college, employers will not have any idea that the classes you took were online. All of my master's classes were online and my degree looks the same as those that went and sat in class everyday.
Before you make your decision, make sure you check into distance education for the universities and colleges around your state and in the nearby states. You might end up finding somewhere that offers the online classes for a smaller fee.

I may be the wrong person to ask as you will note I have a gazillion owed in student loans because I love furthering my education...but here is my two cents. Yes, employers do hire persons with online educations and no in classroom attendance. Although the monetary difference between the two programs is significant you also have to take into account the following:
1.) Are you able to pay cash for the more expensive program or will you have to borrow to pay for it?
2.) In going online you might not have the contacts which you would in a traditional classroom. Many times the persons in the online classes are all over the country. I am not sure about job opportunities but your instructors and colleagues in a traditional classroom might be helpful in assisting you with finding work.
3.) Will the stress of rushing to get to class in the evenings be too much for you after a long day at your day job? Will you be awake and alert to focus in class once you get there? Will you be able to be up the next morning and to your day job on time the day after class?
4.) Are you a disciplined person because online education is going to demand discipline as you will not have an instructor's shoulder to cry on if you are late with an assignment? Is the online program self paced because if so are you able to push yourself to get done with assignments?
5.) Online means no one to one in person contact with other students and that means camaraderie which I really enjoy in a traditional classroom
These are just a couple of my thoughts. I have tried traditional classrooms and online education. I really enjoy attending online class in my pajamas in the comfort of my home. I really enjoy attending traditional classroom education in which I can see the instructor and bounce ideas off other students.
Which ever you decide I applaud you for contemplating going!! :fdance:

Why is the online course $12,000.00?? Was that hopefully a typo?

I just registered today with an accredited NY state college - will take online (distance Learning) courses for the regular tuition price. This gives me the flexibility you are seeking.


I agree with Hannah'sMom:
Talk to a couple of accredited schools and see what distance courses you can take through them. Check out the Community Colleges near you as well as the Universities. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what they offer online.

Good luck -- and keep us posted!

The classes that I teach are one night a week for 4 hours and go about 5 weeks. There are many programs like this.

I contacted the community college and they do offer online courses for which I'm looking for (distance learning) and the cost is $1,379.00 so I'm going to start that in the Fall....(Gives me enough time to save for the course).

Thank you ALL for your responses/comments. I TRULY, TRULY appreciate it.

((HUGS))