| While most employers will value a degree from an | | | | are considered more credible than bachelor's degrees, |
| established campus college without question, there is | | | | although neither have the prestige of a traditional |
| a different response from employers reviewing | | | | degree. 26% of human resource professionals accept |
| applications for those that list a degree earned from | | | | an online degree as the equivalent of a campus |
| an online college. Should a degree from a virtual | | | | degree, while they accept 37% of masters degrees |
| college be valued the same as a campus college | | | | as a brick and mortar equal. |
| degree? The times are quickly changing and while the | | | | Some online certifications and degrees may be |
| question is valid now, as online education continues to | | | | acceptable and even encouraged, based on the |
| grow and improvements enhance the presentation of | | | | industry that you are in. Those in technology, interior |
| course delivery, in the near future there may be no | | | | design or culinary arts fields can expect employers to |
| question at all to consider. | | | | be more open to interviewing applicants with degrees |
| Frequently, online students encounter questions about | | | | from an online institution, whereas those seeking |
| the validity of their degree. However, if you avoid | | | | employment at law firms or in specialized fields of |
| the "degree mills" that give you an official sounding | | | | medicine will have a more of a challenge competing |
| degree but offer no accreditation, you should end up | | | | with other applicants who have traditional campus |
| with a legitimate degree. Consider taking virtual | | | | degrees. This is due to the face-to-face interaction |
| courses from an established school, like George | | | | of standard classroom format. Degrees that are |
| Washington University, or register for a recognized | | | | based on computers allow you a day-by-day |
| online classroom course. | | | | interaction through the class, whereas a Biology |
| Unfortunately, un-accredited universities and degree | | | | major from an online program would not have been |
| mills are besmirching the reputation of distance | | | | given the same materials as a traditional student. |
| learning. It may be worth your time to perform a | | | | In the end, the credibility and validity of your degree |
| quick search online for the name of the college you | | | | truly depends on the person that is hiring you and |
| are considering with the word "unaccredited" or | | | | your ability to sell yourself based on the knowledge |
| "fraud". The results can either bring you peace of | | | | you gained through your online education. Some may |
| mind or reasons to investigate further. | | | | favor work experience; others will place more |
| However, there are still dozens of schools with | | | | emphasis on the name and history of the school |
| quality reputations; just make sure to research your | | | | from which you graduated. Additionally, choosing a |
| online college before you enroll. Employers have | | | | college with a broad alumni base will help you |
| expectations about the quality of worker hired when | | | | network in the future, as it increases the potential |
| his credentials list Harvard University, Boston College | | | | that one of the employees already hired will be from |
| or UC Berkeley, but there is less known about | | | | the same college as you. Nonetheless, as the number |
| distance learning institutions. | | | | of students enrolling online continues to increase |
| As a consequence, completing a degree program | | | | exponentially, companies are being forced into the |
| with very little history or reputation as a credible | | | | 21st century and are incorporating ways to seriously |
| establishment can have an effect on how your | | | | consider virtual degree applicants evenly with campus |
| education is perceived. Those who attend more | | | | degree applicants. |
| recognized online schools like University of Phoenix or | | | | A lot of companies these days are even adding |
| Walden University will see that human resource | | | | continuing education to employee benefits and |
| managers have less questions about the validity of | | | | support those that want to advance their career |
| those types of colleges as they are well-known | | | | through online training. Many employers offer financial |
| across the country. | | | | assistance or paid leave for employees to participate |
| In terms of what kinds of degrees you should be | | | | in these programs, just like they would for someone |
| considering for an online curriculum, master's degrees | | | | heading back to a campus for traditional schooling. |