No Obstacles to Grad School

Can distance learners get into the graduate program of their choice? Absolutely!

By Elizabeth Wall

Distance learning is coming of age. Graduates from CollegePlus! who hold regionally accredited bachelor’s degrees have nothing to worry about when considering graduate school training.

Graduate School Online

Elizabeth Young completed her bachelor’s degree at the end of 2006 and is just a thesis away from finishing her master’s degree in history. She was accepted at American Public University, the only school Young found that offered a master’s in history completely online.

“I wasn’t worried about my distance learning degree being accepted,” Young said. “I think most places look at accreditation instead of how you completed your degree.”

The Flexible Advantage

American Public University was Young’s first choice because of the program’s flexibility. “I only applied to APU, because I knew I needed to finish my degree online, and it was the only school I could find with a history degree offered completely online,” she said.

Doors of Opportunity

Having a master’s degree has opened new opportunities for Young. “I’ve considered teaching at a community or technical college, which would work with a master’s degree,” she said. Her dream is to get a research assistantship so she could work on her doctorate.

Young mentioned that anyone pursuing graduate school needs to be highly self-motivated. Additionally, many brick and mortar programs “want you to have a foundation in a foreign language,” she said.

When It Has to Be Brick and Mortar

CollegePlus! graduate David Voeller started law school at St. Mary's University this autumn after graduating with his business degree in 2007. The popular “pre-law major” is far from being the only undergraduate degree accepted by law schools, according to Voeller. He said that students are regularly accepted with majors ranging from political science to liberal arts, business, and others.

Law School: What It Takes to Get In

Voeller wasn’t worried that his distance learning degree would impede his ability to attend the law school he wanted to enroll in. “I found out that the most important thing they look at is your LSAT score, GPA, and personal statement,” he said, adding that the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, puts everyone on a level playing field.

Leadership Outside the Classroom

The personal statement is also important because “they look for examples of leadership,” according to Voeller. “They want to know how you react to and overcome adversity.” He added that many law school applicants apply just because it’s “the thing to do” in their social circles. However, “the schools are looking for people who are there because they really want to be there, and not just for selfish reasons,” he said.

Don’t Forget God

In his personal experience, Voeller found he had no difficulty getting accepted into graduate school. “I would advise potential students to work hard on their GPA and a good LSAT score, but most importantly, pray a lot. I know I would not be here today without God’s blessing on me,” he said.

Elizabeth Wall is a CollegePlus! graduate who resides in the Dallas area with her husband Adam, a CollegePlus! English major, and their golden retriever Timmy.