What do you think about getting online degrees?

Question

Personaly, I think it can't be compared to campus studing, and it's just quick money making for online scools...

Answer 1

The idea is not bad as a whole, but I quite agree that it can't be compared to campus studying. Besides, online degrees are not accepted as proper/valid qualifications everywhere.

Answer 2

First of all I will be speaking about fully accredited online programs and not defending diploma mills whatsoever.

Let’s take this one allegation at a time:

1. Online “can't be compared to campus studying.” What is the basis for not comparing? After all, if they are accredited, they are so by the same association and accrediting bodies (CHEA.org).

It really depends where you go and what you do. Of course, we can’t compare to Harvard or Duke, but surely they can compete and compare with local universities and colleges.

2. “it's just quick money making for online schools.” As a matter of fact many traditional universities offer online degrees. It is “quick money” because theoretically you can accomplish courses quicker when done at your own pace if you are a go getter.

Well, let’s look at one semester alone: a course, traditionally, may meet hourly three times a week for fifteen weeks. This amounts to 45 hours. I don’t know about you but I may be able to do this in four weeks, dedicating roughly 10 hours a week. I’m not saying that it takes ten hours a week; I’m simply demonstrating the basic rationale behind the condensed distance education courses (HOW IS ONLINE LEARNING CONDENSED).

Since the condensation, of course, they are receiving more money faster, but not that much faster than a traditional program on a quarter schedule.

3. “online degrees are not accepted as proper/valid qualifications everywhere.” Well, again, accredited program that are recognized by the US Dept of Education are recognized (ED.gov). Why would more and more universities and colleges be offering the programs, if they were not?

It is simply a very efficient way of conducting classes. As a matter of fact, distance education has been around since the late 1800’s, although different methods were used then such as correspondence and satellite campuses. Today’s internet revolution has made it faster, quicker, and more efficient to communicate.

An instructor teaching the same class lessons three ties a day would only have to do it once, record it, and send it via email, pda, ipod, etc. The student is responsible to viewing it or not, as it is reading assignments. It is just a different instruction delivery method.


Having experience both traditional and online environments from both the student and instructor perspectives, I feels that I have offered a balanced response, but please explore the subject matter further. There is a lot more to this than what the large misconception is of paying for a degree. There is actual assignments, tests, lessons, peer students, grades, discussions, etc. Does it sound familiar? It should.

Have a great day.

Answer 3

I'm 90% positive that the University of Phoenix Online is accredited.

Answer 4

i agree with you