Are online degrees as valuable as those earned via traditional on-campus study? More and more people are asking that question every year.
It is possible to point to research indicating that students earn equally well in online and in classroom-based instruction, there is research indicating that traditional programs result in better learning outcomes, and there is data which suggests that online learners take more away from their experience than students in traditional campus-based programs.
Thus, it seems likely that broad generalizations about the quality or perceived value of online degree programs will not be useful to people considering them. What might prove more valuable is an analysis of their individual situation, with particular emphasis on their educational and/or vocational goals. Of course, students should always limit their choices to fully accredited institutions, whether they plan to pursue a degree online or attend a traditional college or university.
The process of choosing your best educational options should always begin with questions. What are youir personal goals? Career goals? How strong is your commitment? How much time do you have to devote to your education? Will your goals require licensure or certification of any kind? As you answer these questions, your options will become clearer.
Of course, for most working adults interested in continuing their educations, convenience is a critical factor. For folks who don't have time to commute to and from a campus and/or folks with responsibilities which make it tough to attend fixed time classes, an online degree program may be the only viable option. And, in some instances, colleges offering online education may be more willing to grant credit for prior experience, shortening the time it might take to earn a degree.
Most students also have to consider finances. Years ago, that consideration favored traditional degree programs, because few colleges offered aid to their online students. Today, however, most colleges and university award financial aid to qualified students, and some offer academic scholarships as well.
Online degree programs are attractive for many reasons; convenience, affordability, and flexibility among them. And, it's not hard to find educators, business people, engineers, and others who will tell you they would not be where they are without the degree they earned in an online program. How are online degrees seen by employers? That can be a tough question to answer with a generalization.
Perhaps your best bet is to do some informal research. You can call or email people in charge of hiring in the professions and or individual organizations of interest to you and ask them if they differentiate between candidates with classroom-based and online degrees. And, ask the admissions representatives at the colleges you are considering to provide you with a list of the organizations in which they have placed graduates (and the titles of the positions in which they were placed). Of course, if certification or licensure is an issue for you, be certain the program you choose meets all the requirements for the credential you seek.
Finally, when determining whether or not an online degree is a good choice for you, you would be well served to consider your learning style, preferences, academic skills, and your ability to self-motivate. If you have serious concerns, you may want to attempt a single online course or an online educational certificate program before deciding to pursue a full fledged degree program.
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