Online degree Vs Full time degree

[Anuba]

Hi all..

I am caught in a bad cross roads. I have a bachelors degree in Dentistry from India. After practicing for an yr i have shifted my career into IT industry. I worked as a Clinical Data Manager which included SAS (Statistical Analysis Software) in one of the reputed MNCs in Bangalore for an yr.I will be taking the certification exam in SAS shortly. Now i am in USA on H4 visa.

I planned to apply for H1b this fiscal year but was advised against it owing to my academic background and was advised to take up a Masters degree which is IT related

Now questions are:

1. Can i pursue a Masters degree in Information Systems in USA
2. Will an online degree be equally good if i am to apply for my H1b the next year.(as my husband's job requires a lot of moving)
3. Will I qualify for the OPT.
4. Will my 3 yrs experience in the IT industry add to my benefit if i have to apply for the H1B next yr.

Appreciate the help in this regard.

Regards,
Anu

[txh1b]

1. People change majors all the time in US. You will be required to take some pre-requisite courses to overcome the basic knowledge about the subjects depending on the University.
2. Online degree is good as regular one. It all depends on if the University is accredited.
3. Only if you change your status to F1 and complete the requirements.
4. Education might be a big minus in your case. I would caution you that an observant USCIS officer might issue RFEs and a VO might also have questions during a visa interview. With a MS in IS or IT, you will be fine. The CS courses and pre-reqs that you do will also be useful for you for the H1b.

[Anuba]

Thank you

Thank you so much for the valuable answers.
Can you please suggest me some accredited universities which offer a 9 months on line Masters program in Information Technology.

Thank you

[txh1b]

You need to find a school yourself. I have not recently been on F1 recently and my old memory from discussions while in school reminds me of some that offer 9-12 month programs. Donno if they still do. Toledo, IIT and NJIT probably do. Not sure of their accreditations though which you can check. They must be as they are popular schools for cross discipline studies. But with pre-reqs, there is no way you can complete the program in 9-12 months.

It all depends on number of credit hours you can take and handle and how many are required for the degree.