Online Degree Business Schools

Q: I'm an American living abroad who is considering going back to study to complete my BA (and move onto an MBA) in business management. I would like to hear some recommendations of credible universities that provide online studies. In addition, if anyone also knows of such a university that would provide credits for previous work experience (I have close to 13 years in various admin and management roles in the hi-tech work force).

A: You might try Thomas Edison State College (http://www.tesc.edu), a dirt cheap regionally accredited state-funded school that allows unlimited credit from portfolio evaluation (you can read more about their approach at http://levicoff.tripod.com/tesc.htm). You might also try: City University (http://www.cityu.edu) Excelsior College (http://www.excelsior.edu) University of Maryland - UC (http://www.umuc.edu) There are other options that I'm sure some folks here will suggest, but this ought to be a good starting point. IMO Thomis Edison is at the low end of the credibility scale, although it is RA which should serve most purposes. If you want to crank-it up a bit, I would suggest one of the undergrad business programs through the University of London (London School of Economics programs). Very reasonably priced, difficult, prestigious. I've always been a big fan of the University of London (in fact, I recommended them to someone privately last night), but I was thinking in terms of (a) a degree that could be completed through online study and (b) a degree where her 13 years of work experience could

translate seamlessly into credit. I know that the UoL allows up to two exemptions on the Bachelor of Divinity examinations, but for the most part you're looking at an exam-based degree with no real credit for work experience. But yeah, in terms of prestige and 100% DL programs you honestly can't beat the London School of Economics, one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. I'm amazed that this degree is available by examination, and as cheaply as it is (I seem to remember reading that a UoL degree could be completed for something in the neighborhood of US$4000, which puts the very prestigious UoL in TESC/COSC/Excelsior territory).