Online Degree: Will Employers Accept My Online Degree?

Part 1: For Working Adults, Going Online Is The Best Option

Terry Bens is a typical distance learner. Terry's job as a marketing representative for a Silicon Valley telecommunications supplier, is too demanding for a traditional classroom education. He is looking for an MBA degree that will accommodate his extensive travel schedule. Terry enrolled in an online MBA program at Jones International University. The courses which were offered entirely online, allowed him to do his course work at night, on the weekends, and when he was on the road.

Across the country there are countless other working adults who are pressed for time and facing the need for continuing education. Fifty percent of post secondary students are working adults. Their best option is to go online.

Some Resistance in the Workplace

Due to accreditation issues, "talking head" course ware, lack of face-to-face contact, employers seem divided over distance learning issues. They know that online classes are the next big thing in training and higher education but they remain very wary. The important question remains: How will online students be received as they enter or reenter the job market over the next few years?

A recent survey of 1,300 graduates and 80 employers asked supervisors to rate the value of the degree earned by their employee compared to a resident school degree in the same field. Sixty-nine percent of the supervisors rated the online degree "just as valuable" or "more valuable" than traditional degrees. This means that one out of three supervisors need to be convinced that an online degree offers the same quality and content as a traditional degree.

Overall Supervisory Support For Distance Learning

However, supervisors felt much more positive on other distance learning issues. The survey found that:

• Ninety-one percent of the supervisors knew that this person had earned an academic degree by distance education.
• Ninety-one percent of the supervisors thought that the graduate they supervised compared favorably in knowledge, skills and attitude with subordinates with resident degrees.
• When asked, "Do you think that this person performs better on the job because of the degree earned?" Ninety-one percent said "Yes."
• Eighty-four percent said that they would be inclined to hire or supervise other employees who have earned their degrees via distance education.
• When asked, "Would you encourage others such as subordinates or colleagues to enroll in accredited distance education degree programs to increase their job competence?" Ninety-four percent said "Yes."

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