Studying for a math degree online?

[KCL]

Yeah I know, distance-learning schools suck and can't be compared to 'real' ones, but that's my option right now as I'll be working for a few years and was thinking of doing this on the side.

Is there any good ones? Are there even such programs to begin with?

In particular, I'm interested in ones that let people from outside the US enroll as I'll be leaving sunny California soon.

This is very, very important to me. I'd appreciate any info. :)

 

[Mk]

Yeah I know, distance-learning schools suck and can't be compared to 'real' ones, but that's my option right now as I'll be working for a few years and was thinking of doing this on the side.

Hey, hey, what? I and some friends have done distance-learning schools, in my opinion there is nothing wrong.

 

[KCL]

Sorry that's just the impression I got. :p

What I'm wondering is, how do tests happen? I guess even if it's 'distance' learning you still have to get to some testing center of some sort?

That's a huge limitation. Of course I don't see another way.

 

[Astronuc]

To be worthwhile, the school/academic program must be 'accredited'.

Perhaps it would be best to check with the state university or state education department with respect to schools.

One does not want to spend a lot of money and then find one's degree doesn't open doors.

 

[KCL]

Are there schools that 'test' people, ones that didn't attend that school, in subjects and... issue degrees based on that testing?

I mean math in particular doesn't require labs or any such thing. And all these online schools do is help you with self-study. I can do it on my own, but then I'd need an official degree of some sort - would I be able to get that? Assuming that by then I'd be just as qualified as anybody else who has said degree.

 

[Astronuc]

I don't imagine any reputable institution would grant a degree based upon the results of a single test.

One could take the GRE in mathematics ( ETS - http://www.ets.org/ ), which is a test undergrads take as part of the entry requirements for some university.

If one was planning to attend a graduate program in math, then I'd recommend contacting that math department to see if they would arrange for a test. In the meantime, look at the requirements for undergrad and grad programs in mathematics. All university grad programs, with which I'm familiar, require an undergrad degree from an 'accredited' school.

An alternative path could be to start with a math program at a local community college and then transferring to a program at a state or private university with a 4-yr BA/BS program.

 

[Evo]

Are there schools that 'test' people, ones that didn't attend that school, in subjects and... issue degrees based on that testing?

I agree with Astronuc, no legitimate school would award a degree based on the ability to pass a test without taking any actual courses. Taking AP classes in high school is one way of bypassing freshman courses in college so you jump ahead.

You might be interested in CLEP tests. These are legitimate tests that allow you to get college credits for passing the tests. Not all colleges accept them, but quite a lot do. Here's the wikipedia link since it explains it simply

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Level_Examination_Program

The CLEP site http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

I mean math in particular doesn't require labs or any such thing. And all these online schools do is help you with self-study. I can do it on my own, but then I'd need an official degree of some sort - would I be able to get that? Assuming that by then I'd be just as qualified as anybody else who has said degree.

Be sure you are looking at REAL accredited schools and not some bogus online scam.

 

[KCL]

So far this is the only thing that looks good:

http://distance-ed.math.tamu.edu/program.htm

The one on the right.

It's a Masters, which is actually good because they're still working on the program and when I work my way up to that level they'd have finished ironing out details and such.

For my self-study I'm thinking of browsing some math programs and pickout the subjects and texts they use, and just study those. Get ones with solutions manuals or work books of some sort if I can, get several books/texts on a subject too so if I'm stuck at one thing in one another text might make things clearer. And lots of problems, all sort of problems books and, uh, I'm done here.

Sounds good? This isn't a final plan of course but it all boils down to learning/mastering as much as possible and developing very good problem solving skills right? I'll worry more about a degree and tests when I'm ready to take those, I guess I have an idea right now about what to expect.

 

[Astronuc]

Texas A&M is an accredited school, so that seems to be a valid option.