photo credit: trekkyandy
Many individuals are starting to look to online degree programs for their convenience and flexibility. Being able to take classes on your own schedule, and get an accredited degree is a real boon for many.
However, have you ever wondered how these degrees are viewed by employers, grad schools, and other programs?
The perception of your degree by others is an important factor to consider. With the relative newness of online education, not everyone is convinced of their quality. Indeed, according to this New York Times article, most employers prefer traditional degree programs to online programs. This happens because many are not familiar with online programs as much as they would be with a traditional school. Also, because of the existence of diploma mills, skepticism can spread to event he most legitimate, high quality distance learning programs.
However, it seems that these perceptions are slowly changing. This report by the Sloan Consortium shows that online education continues to grow quickly, and that the perceptions of quality are improving with time, which is great news for those pursuing education online.
Another factor to consider is why you’re taking online classes. Do you just want a degree, or are you trying to learn skills that will be useful to your goals? If you just need to learn skills, and don’t care whether or not an employer will appreciate your credentials, you should have no qualms at all about pursuing an education online. The knowledge you gain will be valuable to you, no matter the source.
Overall, while there is some reluctance to accept online degrees as a valid, legit source of education, this perception is definitely changing for the better. If you’re considering an online degree program, why not check out iLearn’s handy online degree information finder service. You can get started today on creating a better future for yourself through quality online education.
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