Rich31

Hi,
I am going to be taking an Online Masters Degree program (likely an MBA) in order to get myself ready for a Green Card Application. The masters degree course will be taken at a US college.

I work full time in San Diego on an H1B. I do not have time to attend a traditional college course. I am looking at online courses as they offer me the flexibility that I need. The colleges I am looking at are all credible, and I am only looking at accredited courses.

Does anyone know if USCIS is likely to be picky over accepting an online degree program? Has anyone, or is anyone already applying for a Green Card using an online degree/masters qualification?

Looking for feedback from anyone with experience or recommendations.

Thanks,

henryh

I don't have advice, but I'm very interested in the answer. Please post back if you find out.

md95065

I am probably missing something, but why would USCIS care?

If you are already over here on an H1-B and your employer sponsors you for a green card it is usually pretty much a done deal - what is it that makes you think that you need a masters degree to qualify?

henryh

EB-2 versus EB-3 and its massive backlog

JAJ

Check with an immigration attorney. May be ok provided the degree is properly accredited (is it?). Are you allowed part-time study on a H1-b?

Also, for EB-2, the job itself requires a masters, normally ... ie, a bachelor level job won't do even if you have a masters degree. In some cases, bachelors degree + experience can substitute for a masters.

Bob

If it's from a properly accredited university that offers an online program, it's probably going to be fine, if it's some dodgy outfit that is a front for a paper degree, it'll probably be a different matter...looking at you Ray

But still worth checking with company lawyer on this, though people have come over with Open University degrees in the past which wasn't a problem, so I can't see a proper US uni being any different.

Rich31

Thanks for the input guys! I have spoken with my attorney, and she tells me that I definitely have to go with an accredited program (which I was certainly intending to do), and in her opinion I should stick with a traditional i.e. non-online program. I'm not sure it makes that much difference with USCIS. Many applicants must be in my position of working in the US and not having the time to devote to a class-based education program.

We did briefly discuss the option of batchelors + experience. Not sure I qualify for that option but it was certainly discussed.

ian-mstm

I'm not sure I agree with her. I'd stay away from totally online schools such as University of Phoenix, Walden University, Capella University, and the like... but there's absolutely nothing wrong with an all online program offered by a school that actually has a campus where students can actually attend classes in real buildings.

The 3 that I specifically mentioned are all accredited, but IMHO don't yet hold a candle to a more traditional University... especially if you're trying to make some sort of impression.

Ian

Rich31

I am going for an interview at University of Phoenix next week. Mostly an information gathering mission to educate myself on the US Education system. They have a campus in San Diego, and they do have mixed on-campus/online Masters programs. I am keeping my options open while gathering opinions and experiences.

Ray

Plenty of fakes

heres a few

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...igher_learning

md95065

I liked the "University of Central Europe" - apparently located in Pascagoula, Mississippi - probably not a great place to study geography ...

meauxna

haha.. they are on the list of INSTITUTIONS NOT APPROVED TO OPERATE IN MISSISSIPPI