There is plenty of debate about for-profit colleges versus traditional institutions. But to date, I haven’t seen the reports on why students choose for-profit schools over the traditional ones.
I had to go to a for-profit institution. I say this because I am a family life educator, and I needed a master’s degree program that would give me a solid foundation in the best practices of teaching and learning. Unfortunately, at traditional schools that meant getting a degree in Adult Education. However, until a few years ago, I worked with young people in after-school programs, and I needed a more flexible degree program, a program in which I could focus my coursework on my individual professional needs. And, I found such a program at Capella University.
Benefits of a For-Profit College
Capella’s Professional Studies in Education master’s program “is designed for educators working in a variety of educational, business, and community settings” (Capella.edu, 2011). Not only was I able to build a knowledge-base in educational philosophy, classroom assessment, and numerous educational theories, I was able to take other courses and further develop the skills most relevant to me as a family life educator. In addition, I was able to lay the groundwork for the next phase of my career.
Types of For-Profit Colleges
There are different kinds of for-profit institutions. Some are career colleges that prepare students to enter the workforce as massage therapists or medical coders, while others have academic missions similar to those of traditional four-year colleges and universities. Each for-profit school is different, just like each traditional school is different. Some do a great job at educating its students and some suck. The same can be said about traditional schools as well.
It’s important that each person who considers attending a for-profit institution do their homework like they would with a state school. Conduct the same kind of research they would when looking at a traditional school. It may turn out that a career or technical degree is the best fit for their career aspirations. Or maybe going to school online better fits their lifestyle. Either way, they must do their due diligence.
I couldn’t be happier with my experience at Capella. What I learned there has been invaluable to my growth and practice as a family life educator. In the beginning Capella may have been my only option, but in the end it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
