Are Online Degrees Credible?

by Staff Feb 2009 9,112 Views 4 Comments

Online degrees are becoming an increasingly popular option as spiralling costs force students to look for alternative study modes. Due to increased flexibility, you do not even need to attend a traditional "bricks-and-mortar" university to graduate. Some universities combine online courses with the option of attending tutorials and lectures at an accredited university, while some courses are conducted solely online (including the tutorials and lectures). While this is invariably much more convenient than traditional notions of university, many people are sceptical as to whether online degrees can be considered credible.

Much of this scepticism comes from the "scam" degrees that are currently in operation. These implore you to part with your cash in return for a certificate. In many cases, you do not have to do any work to receive this certificate. Thankfully, there are many legitimate online degrees that are more credible, and offer genuine degrees. Like traditional universities, these require you to complete several years of work before you are awarded your degree. Some may have an exam as part of the examination criteria, but this is not always the case. You will usually be allocated a tutor, who will often be responsible for helping students, and will sometimes be the person who marks your assignments. Online degrees will almost always require you to pay up-front, unless financial assistance is available. This will buy you course materials and study support, and will tend to be a lot cheaper than the tuition fees on most traditional university fees. Unlike the "scam" degrees, you will not receive your degree unless you pass the course.

Not all online degrees are recognised by employers. This is one major drawback, as it can harm your chances of landing a job once you have graduated. However, this is not such a big problem if you enroll on a course that is associated with one of the recognised "bricks-and-mortar" universities.

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Comments (4)

Scubadiva•Aug 18, 2009•New Jersey, USA

How to differentiate the good from the bad degrees is done by looking at the accredidation. There are a whole host of them, ranging from regional to national accredidations of Universities. Regional ones are okay if it's an undergrad degree. For a grad degree to be useful, the accredidation needs to be national.

From the University perspective, churning out online degrees is a huge cash cow. As to the quality, I'd say it depends on the institution and the subject. Some subjects you simply cannot study online. Recently, I've been pretty dismayed by the grads that come out of some established Universities that offer the most bizarre degrees where the fact that they were obtained in residence means exactly nothing.

mike69spain•Jul 17, 2009•Almuñécar, Andalusia Spain

With a degree from a respected uni I must add that the paper is not often used for much more than framing and decorating your office. It tells nothing of your capabilities in the real world.

I would like to see a "field experience" degree developed, it would help immensely when looking for specialised people - it could even lead to hiring old foxes without a traditional degree in the first place.

Now I solve it by handing over a set of problems to be solved within 48 hours. I do not care how they reach result as long as they do, since that is what it is all about.

In some countries it has gone so far that you can not get an ordinary receptionist hired without having to require a bachelor in ba. What is that all about???

blackmond•Jun 14, 2009•copenhagen, Capital Region Denmark

Very valid coment, especially for thosse who has been traped in between and now are looking for finishing your degree.
As long as there are no official recognition of online degrees, I would warn people to stay away unless they are sure that it's cosher