Online Degrees Widely Accepted by Consumers and Employers

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Som Seng

UMassOnline Som Seng Are you interested in going back to school online? But, if so, are you concerned about the quality and how your online degree will be perceived by employers? According to a news release from the Reuters report, “Online Degrees Are Now Widely Accepted by Consumers and Employers.”

According to a recent study from the Sloan Foundation “Online enrollments have continued to grow at rates far in excess of the total higher education student population.” Traditional schools that offer online programs are offering the same quality education but with more flexibility for working adults. In addition, students that attend on-campus programs are able to graduate on-time or accelerate their degree because of online education. Students understand the advantages of online education and employers are seeing the value as well.

As noted in the Reuters report, according to George Lorenzo, publisher of Educational Pathways, “employers have come to realize that the vast majority of online higher education graduates are adult lifelong learners who are self-disciplined, reliable and have a knack for applying practical, experience-based knowledge in the workplace.“ To add to George Lorenzo’s comment, I am currently finishing my MBA online this semester, and the students in my online classes are exceptional. They have extensive work experience and participate from all over the country and the world. I’m so glad I waited a few years after completing my bachelor’s degree to get my master’s. Why? There’s a different mentality about school once you’ve started working. In my undergraduate studies, I didn’t fully understand the concepts because I wasn’t able to apply my knowledge. Yes, case studies were helpful in grasping the concepts, but just didn’t compare to real life experience. Now, that I have some work experience, I’m able to apply my learning to improve what I do, and overall to improve the organization for which I work. I can’t explain in specific or tangible terms the value of the online MBA at this point in my life except to say I truly feel I can be successful in any organization with my MBA.

The former CEO of General Electric, Jack Welch, also gets some air time in the Reuters report in which he shares his positive views regarding online education. “To count out a candidate based on an online degree may be shortsighted; People working all day and studying online all night have the kind of grrrr most companies could use.” He is such a fan of online education, that he entered the market as well launching the Jack Welch Management Institute in June 2009.

The bottom line here is to do your research! Look for traditional schools that offer online programs with the same curriculum and same instructors as the on-campus programs. Make sure the university has regional accreditation and discipline-specific accreditation (For example, if you’re applying to an MBA program, look for AACSB accreditation, which is an international business school accreditation agency.)

The full article provides more details about the acceptance of online education. Read more.

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One Response to “Online Degrees Widely Accepted by Consumers and Employers”

Accounting Degrees Online: Is Financial Aid Available? | Get-Smartt on November 27th, 2009 6:00 pm

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