Is getting a degree online at a "real college" looked at the same as going to college?

Question

The local college offers degrees online, but I wasn't sure if it counts in the eyes of an employer. Any information is appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

You always want the highest level of accreditation at whatever college or university you attend. Lets say you are a business student... you want your school to be a part of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. I am not sure what degree you are looking at but always look for the accreditation of your college when picking a college or university.

Answer 2

This can depend very much on the specific employer.

For example, some employers are major supporters of on-line degree programs (typically at the MS level) at top universities, and they send lots of students there for on-line degrees. These employers have clearly embraced the distance learning concept, and they are probably less likely to have a problem with your on-line degree (from a program with a campus).

Now in academia, not everyone accepts the idea of on-line learning as readily -- some people there feel threatened by the idea. So if you have an on-line Ph.D, for example (even from a very good campus based university), and are trying to get a job as an on-campus professor, you could have a very tough time.

These are two extreme examples, but they illustrate the problem.

In general, if you have a choice and can physically attend, especially for the BA/BS or Ph.D degrees, it is probably better to do that, because unfortunately not everyone completely buys into the on-line learning concept.

On the other hand, if the choice is go on-line or do not go at all, I am a strong believer that it is better to go on-line (to the best and most prestigious on-line program at a campus based university that you can find) and get the education you want.

Finally, there was a time when part-time (on-campus) degrees were not held in the highest esteem (part-time education was disparagingly called "night school"), and this bias has become less prevalent as more students who have to work full time have received part time degrees. On-line degrees (from campus based universities) may go through the same transition as enrollment rises.

Answer 3

My Fortune 200 employer not only accepted my on-line degree, they paid for it.

If this concerns you, you should check out on-line degree programs from traditional brick and mortar schools. Most all of the colleges and universities offer some type of on-line classes and/or degree programs.

My transcript and degree are the same as the ones from the brick and mortar program.

Check out www.baker.edu

Affordable at about $185 per credit hour.

Fast paced - 4 semesters per year, 2 sessions per semester.

But just because it is on-line, does not mean the classes are easy. The accelerated time frame means you have to do twice the work in half the time.

Answer 4

depending on what college you go to. University of Phoenix vs. a reputable university that offers on line classes are going to be two different ends of the spectrum. If it's strictly an on line school then maybe.... but if it's a school that offers on line classes but is also a face to face school, not at all. I work at Franklin University in Columbus, OH and it's a looked highly at in the community. It's a face to face school, but you can also get your degree on line. If you're looking for a school to go to, check out www.franklin.edu and see if you are interested.... Good Luck!

Answer 5

na...it looks weaker...well in my opinion