Online/distance learning capstone

[whimsygirl]

I am an RRT with an AAS. Traditional brick and mortar schools aren't really an option for me because I have a full time job and fairly large family. Any suggestions for an online capstone program? I'm afraid this will be my weak spot in the application process.

 

I feel pretty good about the rest of my portfolio. So far my GPA is 3.76, I've won clinical awards, part of my hospitals professional development program etc.

 

I'd really like to get a good education online. I don't want a diploma mill yk?

 

Any thoughts?

[just_me]

There are quite a few healthscience programs out there SPC in Florida has one that I was attending and I think it was great. Nova has one as well and a few other schools. If you already have the credits (117 min) and just need to complete a degree, Thomas Edison State College is one of like 3 programs that allow for that. it was mainly for military folks who had a lot of credits from previous experience to pull it all together to complete a degree. This is where I finished my BAS so I could graduate on time and I have to say I loved the capstone course....it really required work. Now with that said, this nor any of the other programs like this are cheap, but if you need a degree completion program without having that "min. credits in residency" thing that most schools do, I would look in that direction.

 

Now it seems all you have is the AAS so I would look at Health Services Admin and Health Sciences BS degrees. I have also seen a few BS completion for those who are RRTs...I just goggled and found these:

http://www.respiratorycare.kumc.edu/online.html

http://shp.missouri.edu/rt/rrt_programs.php

http://online.northcarolina.edu/program.php?id=342

http://www.oit.edu/distance-education/programs/respiratory-care

 

I mean google is really your friend....took me less than 2 minutes to pull these up and there were tons more :smile:the best way to avoid diploma mills would be to start looking locally at state universities with general degrees or junior colleges; then look at other state schools that are out of state, then look at private schools---the chance of a diploma mill is higher with a private school than state

[whimsygirl]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have over 140 credit hours, but AAS is my only degree.

I'm familiar with the RT completion programs but I'm not sure that's the route I want to go. In looking at the course layout I think I might want a broader base of knowledge going into the PA program. I work for a large academic hospital which affords me many respiratory educational opportunities, so I don't want my coursework to be redundant to the things I learn in the job. They also offer a very generous tuition reimbursement program which thankfully reduces the cost consideration.

I will check out the program you used.

Thanks again!