[walesmd]

I completely agree as well - after asking here on HN about online degree programs, I ended up selecting Troy University. It's a real, respected university, with local offices in my city (Augusta, GA) if I choose to take a course or two that aren't offered online (physics, for instance).

They use Blackboard, which I loathe, but you're not going to get any other choice when it comes to distance learning.

Instructors are smart and fair and classes are reasonably sized so that you actually remember students names and personalities. The program is pretty well-rounded and they offer a multitude of electives to really focus in on a specific area of Computer Science (programming, in my case) while still earning enough credits to declare a minor (I've yet to decide on Math or Political Science).

On the business side of things (books, tuition assistance, advising, etc) it feels like a real university and not an online business (like University of Phoenix and American Military University, my two previous attempts, did).

Highly recommended - just wish they offered a Master's in CompSci (although I hear, it is beneficial to attend a different school for graduate courses). Guess it shows your ability to adapt, adventurousness and interest in experiencing differing cultures.

[jhawk28]

Look into DePaul University. They do use Blackboard, but most of their CS, SE courses use their own software which isn't quite as painful.