The Value of Online Degrees

Many people are skeptic about getting a degree online. What is the value of obtaining a degree online? Will I have a disadvantage to those who obtained their degrees at brick-and-mortar institutions? Will future employers favor those who have degrees from the traditional universities? These are all questions that arise when people have to make a decision on the form of education they wish to pursue. This article will offer trends on employers' views of online degrees and the value an online degree holds.

Employer's perception

When online degree programs began to popup, many employers were quite skeptical about the quality of the programs being offered. In a study in 2001, about twenty-nine percent of the employers questioned said they would never consider hiring an employee who obtained a degree via the internet. The other seventy-one percent either said they would hire candidates with online degrees or they simply did not care.

In recent years, many reputable universities, such as Penn State University and Florida State University, have begun to offer online degree programs. With prominent schools entering the online education arena, many more employers are starting to let go of their skepticisms. Employers are beginning to understand the quality of education received via online courses is equivalent or better than that of their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Employers are even encouraging their employees to attend classes online so they can advance in their careers.

Some employers prefer to hire individuals who have obtained a degree online because of the characteristics the individual possesses. Employers understand students of online programs are often self-starters, disciplined, and able to meet deadlines. All of these characteristics make the online student that more valuable in some industries.