Let's start a list of online distance learning programs for grade replacement...

[Zoopeda]

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Hey All,

Many of us are in the same boat: crappy grades back in the day; turned things around and getting A's now. Grade replacement is a lifesaver for those of us in this situation. However, I'm in the difficult situation of having graduated from a school on a semester calendar, and now I'm on the west coast where every school within a 2 hour drive is on the quarter calendar. Anyone else in this predicament? (Of course, being in the opposite situation works out fine, semesters replacing quarters.) The only solution: distance learning.

Nowhere on SDN is there a comprehensive list of accredited online distance learning programs that offer semester credits for coursework. And googling "Principles of Economics, 4 semester credits, distance learning" is like looking for a needle in a haystack. So what do y'all say? If you've taken classes, or know of classes, offered online for 4-SEMESTER credits (excluding prereqs/labs), please list the institution below.

Again: 4-semester-credit distance learning programs

The SUNY (State U of NY) has a great distance learning program
University of Massachusetts
U Wisconsin has just a few
Harvard Extension


others???

 

[corpsman33]

Univ. of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Distance Learning Program offers nearly every pre-req including o chem one and two with lab, physics, chem, bio, biochem

 

[Zoopeda]

The SUNY (State U of NY) has a great distance learning program
University of Massachusetts
U Wisconsin has just a few
Harvard Extension
UNECOM
University of Minnesota
University of Oklahoma

 

[deleted92121]

Love UNECOM courses. Took both my O-Chems there (B- and A) as well as my Gen Chems and Bio II. Preparing for the MCAT now. Really a great program and almost all programs accept them from what I have gathered from my numerous emails to different schools. They are not nearly as easy as you think and you really have to work. Figure I essentially taught myself O-Chem with some guidance from the professor but mostly learned it from reading, Google, and Chad's Videos. Expensive but I see it as taking prerequisites from an actual osteopathic medical school which has got to say something about the courses.

Any questions please PM me.

 

[corpsman33]

Love UNECOM courses. Took both my O-Chems there (B- and A) as well as my Gen Chems and Bio II. Preparing for the MCAT now. Really a great program and almost all programs accept them from what I have gathered from my numerous emails to different schools. They are not nearly as easy as you think and you really have to work. Figure I essentially taught myself O-Chem with some guidance from the professor but mostly learned it from reading, Google, and Chad's Videos. Expensive but I see it as taking prerequisites from an actual osteopathic medical school which has got to say something about the courses.

Any questions please PM me.

I actually had a few of the admissions offices at various DO schools actually recommend that I take my pre-reqs at UNECOM (even though its all online). I took both O chems there (I had no other options with my work situation in the military) but was pleasantly suprised with the fact that none of the DO schools I applied to abd interviewed at had any problem with this.

 

[chiddler]

what is meant by "distance learning"? online?

i thought those had 0 credibility

 

[DrMaximus]

what is meant by "distance learning"? online?

i thought those had 0 credibility

👍

 

[411309]

Lol i just looked up the unecom one. You can do the labs online? Thats crazy, lol. Im not trying to be a douche but they dont look at this in a negative light? it's hard to believe that doing a lab online compares to the real thing...I mean it seems like a good option if they're cool with it but still.

Good grief, the prices are outrageous. 1.4k per class? Thats insane. Wouldn't it just be better to apply for a DO smp program with linkage into their program? You may spend a few thousand more but still...

 

[deleted432032]

Lol i just looked up the unecom one. You can do the labs online? Thats crazy, lol. Im not trying to be a douche but they dont look at this in a negative light? it's hard to believe that doing a lab online compares to the real thing...I mean it seems like a good option if they're cool with it but still.

Not all the labs are completely online, Chem I and Physics I labs are mailed to your home in a kit and done in a hybrid type fashion.

 

[corpsman33]

Lol i just looked up the unecom one. You can do the labs online? Thats crazy, lol. Im not trying to be a douche but they dont look at this in a negative light? it's hard to believe that doing a lab online compares to the real thing...I mean it seems like a good option if they're cool with it but still.

Good grief, the prices are outrageous. 1.4k per class? Thats insane. Wouldn't it just be better to apply for a DO smp program with linkage into their program? You may spend a few thousand more but still...

Like I said, some of the DO schools even suggested I take my pre-requisites here (even the lab portions), so most of them do not look at it in a negative light. Its regionally accredited (the same as Harvard, UCSF, etc etc).

I took 98% of my classes and labs in the classroom/lab setting (brick and mortar), but for military members that are deployed, or people that have no other options this is an awesome opportunity. Is it better to take it in the actual lab, ABSOLUTELY (you gain better lab experience), but most DO schools dont care at all.

That being said, the majority of MD schools do care and wont accept it. I found about 20% of MD schools willing to accept these classes.

 

[Zoopeda]

No question, you get better lab experience in a physical lab. So to remain among the most competitive applicants, it seems like a regular brick and mortar is the way to go for the core science classes.

I actually started the thread as more of a focus on NON-SCIENCE online courses, taken for the purpose of grade replacement, GPA-boosting, etc. An online Econ lecture with assigned readings is essentially identical to a classroom Econ lecture with the same readings. You can often even type questions into the professor!

What programs can you recommend for non-science distance learning on a full (4 credit) semester system?

So far we have:

The SUNY (State U of NY) Empire College (substantial online offering)
University of Massachusetts
U Wisconsin (just a few)
Harvard Extension School
UNECOM (science and math only)
University of Minnesota
University of Oklahoma

 

[deleted92121]

Just a brief mention regarding the labs and how you gain a better "lab experience" in a brick and mortar type lab setup.

I think it is totally dependent on what you are trying to achieve from lab. If you are a science major with an interest in lab techniques and such, then yes these labs would not be the greatest choice for you. However, labs to some people (myself included) find labs to be more or less a waste of time. Now I have enjoyed certain labs, including biology and physics. But chemistry labs bored me to tears. UNECOM labs are less about techniques, safety, setup, and waiting for experiments to finish. Rather, I found them very good at reinforcing topics at hand. Not saying you cannot have this in the traditional lab setting, but it is very different.

I also know that some folks look down on those of us that took this route but if the school is fine with and has no problem accepting it, then I don't see what the problem is. As long as the material is the same than I see no harm. I work 40+ hours a week and utilized this avenue and couldn't be happier. To each their own.

 

[Zoopeda]

No question, they have value. That's why I'm asking about them! But there's also a reason they're not as widely accepted by admissions departments. I wonder if it's just ingrained prejudice or a legitimate concern that online labs don't prepare students as well for medical school labs. Something tells me the former is more likely...

 

[fluoropHore]

So, if you are taking online courses for the sole purpose of grade replacement (and got a decent lab grade the first time around)- will it still be looked at with a side eye in admissions? im considering taking a sci course online and for our school we had separate Lab course grades..so it will already be shown i can handle" lab.

 

[Back 5]

I have no knowledge on the online courses. Personally, I've had some angst about taking my MCAT sciences at the local CC because of how the negative stigma may affect me come application time.

 

[deleted92121]

I took one or two courses at my local CC and thought they were terrible. Now obviously your experience may differ but in my case, I figured why not try the UNECOM route. Best decision ever.

One thing maybe I should mention is that I would've not taken online science courses from another school. I thought because UNECOM is actually a brick and mortar medical school that they probably held students in their online courses to a high standard, which they really do. I would recommend this route to anyone who is very self-disciplined.

 

[Beandog]

I'm not sure where you go to school - but that breaks down to 350 a credit hour for a 4 credit course. I'm paying 320 a credit here at Uni of Buffalo this semester.
U Of Oregon is 278 a credit hour. School is pricy - I'm not sure where you can necessarily get a better deal, but I don't think it's all that bad, financially.

Good grief, the prices are outrageous. 1.4k per class? Thats insane. Wouldn't it just be better to apply for a DO smp program with linkage into their program? You may spend a few thousand more but still...

 

[Beandog]

However, labs to some people (myself included) find labs to be more or less a waste of time. Now I have enjoyed certain labs, including biology and physics. But chemistry labs bored me to tears..

Agree 100%. Spent 2 weeks going over safety. This semester in 102 listening to a TA who texts and chews gum, others did not speak English, nothing well explained, I get mroe out of Yahoo Answers than I do from my school. I'm going to check out UNE

 

[Back 5]

I took one or two courses at my local CC and thought they were terrible. Now obviously your experience may differ but in my case, I figured why not try the UNECOM route. Best decision ever.

One thing maybe I should mention is that I would've not taken online science courses from another school. I thought because UNECOM is actually a brick and mortar medical school that they probably held students in their online courses to a high standard, which they really do. I would recommend this route to anyone who is very self-disciplined.

I'm having good luck with my Chemistry and Physics professors at CC level. Both do research at NASA and are teaching for the joy of it. Biology professors, not so much

I cannot take classes at my local University as I am working full-time and then some. Only the CC offers night classes at 7pm. I'm not sure if the few schools who require biochemistry will accept my Chiropractic biochem or if I will have to figure out a way to take the class. It's not offered at the CC and the university offers it from 3:30-4:30, impossible for me to do 🙁

Maybe this will be a case where I look into distance learning.

 

[411309]

I'm not sure where you go to school - but that breaks down to 350 a credit hour for a 4 credit course. I'm paying 320 a credit here at Uni of Buffalo this semester.
U Of Oregon is 278 a credit hour. School is pricy - I'm not sure where you can
necessarily get a better deal, but I don't think it's all that bad, financially.

considering you spend around 5 grand more or so and can matriculate into LEECOM after you finish their SMP I would call that a better deal. Whats a few thousand more for an almost guaranteed acceptance?

 

[Zoopeda]

I cannot take classes at my local University as I am working full-time and then some. Only the CC offers night classes at 7pm. I'm not sure if the few schools who require biochemistry will accept my Chiropractic biochem or if I will have to figure out a way to take the class. It's not offered at the CC and the university offers it from 3:30-4:30, impossible for me to do 🙁

Maybe this will be a case where I look into distance learning.

I'm in the exact same position. I'm seeking out the talented professors at comm college and getting a pretty solid education. Personally, it seems that as long as an applicant scores high on the MCAT, it shouldn't matter whether he or she studied at Harvard or Bunker Hill Community College. But my advisor and various med school reps have all warned me against taking more than a few classes at CC. One advisor even suggested I might have to retake Chemistry at a regular 4-year to erase the stigma of CC.

I'm trying to keep doors open to state MD as well as DO school, so I feel a bit more inclined to head to a 4-year. But for those of you who are straight-shooting for DO, have you researched whether or not competitive DO schools will admit applicants who took the bulk of their prereqs at community colleges or online? It would be crushing to get to the end of two years of CC prereqs only to find out in your interview the reason for rejection is not enough courses at a 4-year...

 

[Beandog]

considering you spend around 5 grand more or so and can matriculate into LEECOM after you finish their SMP I would call that a better deal. Whats a few thousand more for an almost guaranteed acceptance?

....Are you complaining that the price is too low?

When you say it's "outrageous", I somehow think you believe they are substantially higher than they ought to be. My bad.

 

[411309]

....Are you complaining that the price is too low?

When you say it's "outrageous", I somehow think you believe they are substantially higher than they ought to be. My bad.

are you having issues with reading comprehension? I think my point was pretty clear.

 

[Zoopeda]

FYI, just got off the phone with Western U who told me straight up they won't accept lab credits from UNECOM and that all labs have to be brick and mortar even if pre-req lecture coursework is online. They also "don't like to see more than a couple of CC pre-req credits." Not an attack on the online and CC crowd (of which I am a part). Just sharing what is a very important reality to understand. Part of why I posted was to understand if comm college or online coursework limits the competitiveness of an applicant. In an n=1 study, so far the answer is definitely "yes." I wonder if this is the majority opinion among DO schools or not...

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

St. Cloud State University, and the MNSCU system (Bemidji state, Mankato, et al). ALL are fully accredited, doesn't show as online on a transcript, and real classes, also they don't charge OOS tuition for online courses...

 

[deleted92121]

FYI, just got off the phone with Western U who told me straight up they won't accept lab credits from UNECOM and that all labs have to be brick and mortar even if pre-req lecture coursework is online. They also "don't like to see more than a couple of CC pre-req credits." Not an attack on the online and CC crowd (of which I am a part). Just sharing what is a very important reality to understand. Part of why I posted was to understand if comm college or online coursework limits the competitiveness of an applicant. In an n=1 study, so far the answer is definitely "yes." I wonder if this is the majority opinion among DO schools or not...

I think you bring up a very important point that really cannot be stressed enough . . .

If you are thinking of taking a course via distance through UNECOM or other institution, contact the schools you are interested in applying to BEFORE you enroll in the course to verify that they will accept it.

I did this before I started and was pleasantly surprised by the number of schools that accept it. Otherwise, I would've just taken longer and gone to my local CC or whatnot. All the schools I am interested in accept these courses.

 

[Beandog]

are you having issues with reading comprehension? I think my point was pretty clear.

Don't be snippy - you may have very well known what you were saying, but you called the price "insane" and "outrageous", when it's actually priced right around the mean of a B&M school. If that was clear, I sure don't want to see your version of unclear.

 

[tenndoc]

Not all the labs are completely online, Chem I and Physics I labs are mailed to your home in a kit and done in a hybrid type fashion.

these are what meth labs are made of 😛

 

[deleted92121]

these are what meth labs are made of 😛

you can make that $1500 back quicker selling meth than you can becoming a physician

 

[nirvikalpa]

St. Cloud State University, and the MNSCU system (Bemidji state, Mankato, et al). ALL are fully accredited, doesn't show as online on a transcript, and real classes, also they don't charge OOS tuition for online courses...

Seriously?! 😱

 

[GHETTOFLOW21]

Hey guys, I was wondering if there were any other programs besdies UNE that allow you to work at your own pace? Also, for any of you that have taken UNE, how long did it take you to complete the course, and would it be feasible to complete it in a month's time and receive an A if I had nothing but this class on my plate

 

[Zoopeda]

State University of New York (Empire program) has a bunch of classes that are taught at your pace (even some lab sciences). UNC's Friday center does self-study too, although I'm not sure about hard sciences. I'd call Harvard Extension too. Donno about the month limit though. I took one class via self-pace, and I definitely had to wait until certain assignments had been graded in order for them to send me the next or send the exam, etc. A UNE alum would be helpful here...