The credibility of an online college degree continues to grow as more accredited and reputable schools are offering degree programs online. A decade ago, online degrees were a mystery, but that has changed over time.
Surveys have been conducted to determine the credibility of online degrees and most of them have confirmed the belief that they are just as credible as those obtained through physical classes.
Some employers find it difficult to accept the viability of these degrees, but this is gradually changing as education is transitioning to online formats.
The trend for online learning is gradually growing, and preferences between online courses and classroom learning are likely to be indistinguishable in the next 10 years to come.
While evaluating the credibility of an online college degree, one should consider the following factors:
Table of Contents
1. The Type Of Degree Being Pursued
The type of degree one has earned will determine whether the degree will be accredited or not. Certain academic tracks require in-person instructions that internet lectures cannot provide.
However, some schools offer blended internet lectures integrated with in-person labs from where students receive hands-on experiences. This is available mostly to local students, although other schools choose to partner with local labs for long-distance learners.
Additionally, some sciences dealing in research require that students access specialized equipment that online formats cannot provide.
Additionally, some sciences dealing in research require that students access specialized equipment that online formats cannot provide. Laboratory equipment such as chemicals, beakers, and live specimens need physical labs.
Furthermore, in order to earn their credits for lab work, students will require personal collaboration with a faculty that will oversee their projects.
Aside from the exceptions above, most degrees do not rely on physical interactions. When choosing a career, all one needs is to ask themselves whether the job market can accommodate them without any apprenticeship or internship. That is all that matters, and applying common sense is what counts.
2. The Reputation Of The Institution
The internet has plenty of degree mills whose reputations are questionable. This is a significant threat to the reputation of all online degrees.
Many colleges and universities churn out degrees while students go ahead and take blow-off classes and purchase their degrees without working hard to earn an education in the process.
The world of education is gradually shifting towards internet learning to give all aspiring students plenty of flexible and cost-effective options without compromising the quality of education they offer.
The degree mills do not care to invest in quality education. They go ahead and defraud students by making them pay for shallow degrees without any practical education.
Keep in mind that there are nationally accredited schools that offer real education and credible degrees for their students. Sites like The Best Schools provide sources that can help students distinguish real colleges from the degree mills.
The world of education is gradually shifting towards internet learning to give all aspiring students plenty of flexible and cost-effective options without compromising the quality of education they offer.
3. Skills Acquired
When earning an online college degree, it does not show in any official document that the degree was earned online. What counts is the skills a student has acquired and their ability to carry out tasks with professionalism.
An employer may never know if a student earned their degree online not unless they ask. The employer can only figure out if the institution does not have a physical campus or if the employees work history at the time of degree is in some other location.
4. Accreditation Definitely Matters
Regardless of the school offering the degree, it is good to check their accreditation before enrolling. There are a lot of national, regional, and specialized accrediting organizations.
Just like traditional colleges, online colleges with accreditation helps assure students that the quality of education that an education institution offers is held up to certain standards and that earning a degree from the online college is worth the investment.
5. Choose One That Offers The Best Opportunity
In the long run, the choice of online college one chooses for their degree matters a great deal, hence it is important to choose one that will offer the best opportunity for personal and career advancement.
As a student contemplates what degree options to consider, they have to remember that the degree they earn is just one part of the whole mix that employers will be evaluating them for.
As a student contemplates what degree options to consider, they have to remember that the degree they earn is just one part of the whole mix that employers will be evaluating them for. Field experience, work history, skills, availability, and proper attitude are part of the whole mix.
