Online Schools? Which ones are worth it?

Hi,
I am in the process of looking for an online school with a course in Event/wedding planning. I came across these and would like some feedback on these schools. I would like to know if I am making the right decision. I am looking for something that has both Event and Wedding planning and would like a Certified certificate. Has anyone taken or heard anything worth while about these online schools and is it worth the money?

*Sheffield School in NY (www.sheffield.edu/index.html)
*QC School of Event Planning (www.qceventplanning.com/qcevent/)

Or if you know of a online course that is great for its price please let me know

Thank you!
ali

If you want to learn from the pros, join your local chapter of ISES. It will be where all your local industry planners meet. Go to the mixers, take the courses, maybe intern. But it will be the one place you will meet all the various vendors related to special events. Good luck.

www.ises.com

HI, I am looking at the same two schools. have you started is it worth it?

Hi Shari,

I have not yet started it. I think those schools are great, but little high on their price. I am looking into another option: www.uscareerinstitute.com/weddingconsulting.asp

It looks great, and offers great lessons for the cheaper price. I am very much considering this one. I thought i would pass this site along.

-Ali

Hi Ali,

I was strongly considering enrolling in the QC School of Event Planning program until I saw your posting about US Career Institute. Thanks!

After researching US CI, I found it to be national accredited for online schools, something the other schools were not. I think US CI is the better choice and your right...the price is cheaper as well.

Have you enrolled either of the schools?

BTW - The ISES site has some great info for event professionals.

~ Andri

Hi, I was reading the notes and I was checking www.uscareerinstitute.com/weddingconsulting.asp
but the cost is the same as QC school event planning. Did you start? I would like to know more about this certification. Please let me know everything you have found.

Chuka in Columbus, Indiana said: Hi, I was reading the notes and I was checking www.uscareerinstitute.com/weddingconsulting.asp
but the cost is the same as QC school event planning. Did you start? I would like to know more about this certification. Please let me know everything you have found.

Hi, No I haven't started yet. I'll still undecided on which school to attend. My biggest concern is the accreditation and value of certification. I will definitely keep you posted when I make a decision and/or get more info.

hi, I started one of the schools and I didnt finish..it just didn't fit what I trying to accomplish I didn't get the feel I was going to school for event planning. but the good thing is for the 1st session they didn't charge me...i've since start kaplan for hospitality ...and I love it..

How much are the schools?

i know someone who went to penn foster for wedding planning
i am going to try www.universalclass.com its a lot cheaper
its $65-$75 for for a few diff event planner classes and wedding planning classes
they have it for beginner's and novices

I am the student advisor for the Wedding and Event Planning course at the Sheffield School. We are licensed by the New York State Board of Education and accredited by the Distance Education Training Council.

You do not need any kind of certification or license to work in the event planning field, and you are eligible for professional memberships of your choice once you are practicing. Some professional organizations will accept student members as well.

I am happy to speak with anyone who is interested to explain the course offerings, as well as provide information on what it is like to work in the event industry.

Sincerely,
Caroline
www.sheffield.edu

Hi Caroline,

Thank you very much for that information. How may I contact you? I would like to know more about this area.

Irina

Hi Irina,

Nice to hear from you. You can reach me at wedding@sheffield.edu. You can also visit our website at www.sheffield.edu to learn about the school and our course offerings.

Sincerely,
Caroline
www.sheffield.edu

US event guide has a course where u can
combine 2 courses and they have low payment plans starting at $57 a month
im thinking about the event planning and wedding course

Hi Caroline,

I have a few questions for you. First, does Sheffield have an accredited event planning program that will count towards getting certified through ISES? I am planning to pursue owning a business in Event Management, specializing in corporate, social, and celebrity events. What would you suggest to be the best route in getting experience in the event industry...internships, employment, etc.? Also, does Sheffield offer studies soley in Event Planning instead of Wedding and Event Planning?

Thank you in advance for any information that you may provide.

Regards,

Andri

Andri in Redford, Michigan said: Hi, No I haven't started yet. I'll still undecided on which school to attend. My biggest concern is the accreditation and value of certification. I will definitely keep you posted when I make a decision and/or get more info.

Did you get more information on the Sheffield school? It's funny because I've been researching the different schools and my main concern is the accreditation factor as well! Sheffield did not mention it on their website, as far as I could see; therefore, I had crossed them off my list until I saw this conversation. I had narrowed it down to QC school of Event Planning and US Career Institute. Just wondering if you found out anything interesting that may factor into my decision. Thanks for all your suggestions and comments!

~Jamye

Hi,

I enrolled in U.S.carrer institute yesterday and I am very exited!!!!!!
I got my first lesson online and I think is nice. I will let you know.

Thanks Chucka! I'm really wanting to review all my options this weekend and make a decision, so I can go ahead and enroll. I'm very excited as well!! I've only read great things about US carrer, but please let me know what you think of it. All opinions are welcome! Thanks again & good luck..

Jamye Kennedy in Fort Bragg, North Carolina said: Did you get more information on the Sheffield school? It's funny because I've been researching the different schools and my main concern is the accreditation factor as well! Sheffield did not mention it on their website, as far as I could see; therefore, I had crossed them off my list until I saw this conversation. I had narrowed it down to QC school of Event Planning and US Career Institute. Just wondering if you found out anything interesting that may factor into my decision. Thanks for all your suggestions and comments!

~Jamye

Hi Jamye,

I looked at the Sheffield site, but didn't see anything about accreditation. Accreditation is very important to me because I want to get certified through the ISES organization. I know that ISES requires certain criteria to take the test and one of them was to go to an accredited school. George Washington University is a good choice, they have a master's of tourism program and a continuing education event management program. However, they are expense ($450 per class, total tuition is $3150) - that's the cost for distance learning, which is cheaper than on-campus. On the other hand, I read a few event planning books and this school was listed as being known for their event planning/management programs. They are listed as an accredited school with ISES as well.

You can them out at emp.gwu-aqe.org/info/emp-index (certification program) or business.gwu.edu/tourism/ (bachelor's and master's programs).

Let me know how US Career goes. I was really leaning towards them because they do give a certification and are inexpensive.

Hi again,

U.S.carrer is certified and is not expensive. They are very nice and really care about students. I am studying and the classes are very easy to follow. I hope to finish the course in 4 month.

Hello again to all from Sheffield!

We have realized recently that questions about accreditation and certification seem to be important to people considering a professional course in event planning. We are working to update our website on the issue, but in the meantime I wrote a thorough post about it on our school Forum. You can read it here: forum.sheffield.edu/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=210.

The most important thing to understand is that there is no required certification to work in the events industry. The professional organizations you mention are concerned that any school you attend is legitimate and licensed.

Sheffield is licensed by the New York State Board of Education and is accredited by the Distance Education Training Council. We are absolutely a formal, recognized school.

As a professional planner, I am happy to address any questions you might have about the industry or about our program.

All the best,
Caroline

Chuka in Columbus, Indiana said: Hi again,

U.S.carrer is certified and is not expensive. They are very nice and really care about students. I am studying and the classes are very easy to follow. I hope to finish the course in 4 month.

Yea I think I'm going to attend US career myself
It actually is cheaper
And the site seemed to have more info
Than Sheffield

A in Bronx, New York said: Yea I think I'm going to attend US career myself
It actually is cheaper
And the site seemed to have more info
Than Sheffield

After reviewing all schools in question...think I'm going with US Career as well.

Ali in Grand Rapids, Michigan said: Hi,
I am in the process of looking for an online school with a course in Event/wedding planning. I came across these and would like some feedback on these schools. I would like to know if I am making the right decision. I am looking for something that has both Event and Wedding planning and would like a Certified certificate. Has anyone taken or heard anything worth while about these online schools and is it worth the money?

*Sheffield School in NY ( www.sheffield.edu/index.html )
*QC School of Event Planning ( www.qceventplanning.com/qcevent/ )

Or if you know of a online course that is great for its price please let me know

Thank you!
ali

Hi,
Can anyone give me advice on US Event Guide certified program? I am looking for a good school to take online Event planning coarses. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

I am interested in the Event/ Wedding Planning programs as well and was hoping that one or all of you who have already started the classes could give me some feedback on how the classes are working for you. I am also interested in starting my own business and if any of you are in the Central Florida area I would be interested in talking to you.