How do employers perceive online learning and degrees?

Question

I currently am 3 credits away from obtaining my associates degree in accounting from an accredited online degree program. I have always been curious as to how employers perceive these programs in terms of quality of education and readiness for the job. I am trying to decide whether to continue on with the online program for my bachelors or to get into a local traditional learning program.

Please offer any thoughts or experiences on the subject. Thank you!

Answer 1

It depends. The public school system for example could care less if you have a masters from Harvard or a masters from an online university, they still have they same payscale as long you simply have it (pretty ridiculous). Other employers put more emphasis on traditional colleges than others. In an indirect (and maybe somewhat unfair) way, it may be generally viewed that a traditional college setting requires more work and commitment, and therefore is valued more. It doesn't mean there aren't plenty of very smart people with only online educations but when you walk in for an interview, generally you are being sized up in a very short period of time, and human bias is always a factor. You never know how that person is going to perceive you but as long as you stand out well and are educated and well-spoken in your interview, you should be mostly okay...I personally enjoy having the credibility of a major public university on my resume though.

Answer 2

depends on the school. I used to work at a large online university that I shall not name. Basically I was told by future employees, colleagues, & past students that their degrees were laughed at, told they weren't worth the paper they were written on, and were created by a paper mill.

If you must go through an online university, go through one that is well established as a ground campus. Make sure your degree won't say online on it. Also, just don't mention you got your degree online unless asked.