Are online degrees respected by employers? This is a question that many people are asking these days. With more and more colleges and universities offering online degree programs, it’s important to understand whether or not employers view them as being equal to traditional degrees. In this article, we will explore the topic of online degrees and discuss what employers think about them. Stay tuned!
Do Employers Take Online Degrees Seriously?
It’s a question many working adults and students ask: Are online degrees as respected as traditional, on-campus programs?
For decades, college students have been able to earn their degrees by attending classes in person, but now more than 20% of students are taking at least one class online. Associate’s degrees and master’s degrees can be earned through fully-online programs that often only take two or three years to complete rather than four years.
Many professionals worry if this is the same education they would receive had they attended classes in person. Are employers skeptical of online master’s degree holders? Is the quality of education as good? Do employers respect online degrees as much as on-campus ones?
How Do Employers Feel About Online Degrees?
According to a survey, most employers respect and value prospective employees who earn their degree online just as much as those who attend in-person classes. The majority of companies surveyed revealed that 90% of them would give an equal opportunity to job applicants with both on-campus and online education backgrounds. Furthermore, nine out of ten hiring managers reported feeling no difference in the quality of work between students with online or traditional educations. The only negative outcome is when it comes to promotion opportunities, where only 66% feel there is no difference between how they promote workers with either type of education. Even then, another 24% responded that there was fact little or no difference in promoting those with on-campus or online degrees.
When it comes to salary, more than half of the employers reported that there was no difference in salary between those holding traditional degrees and those with a fully-online degree. Of those whose salaries were different, the average reported gap was less than $5,000 per year.
In addition to employment opportunities and pay rates, employees can benefit from online learning options after being hired as well. In fact, 78% of companies stated that they would encourage their new hires to take advantage of web-based resources to help them continue learning on their own time. This means webinars, recorded lectures and other forms of continuing education are not only available for current students but also for workers who have already graduated.
Accreditation Is More Crucial Than the Method of Learning.
Although online learning has become more accepted, the majority of employers still believe that it is more important for college students to earn their degree from a regionally-accredited university than one that is nationally recognized. This accreditation ensures that potential employers and graduate schools will recognize the student’s degree as having the same value as programs offered on campus. When students earn their education from a nationally accredited university, they may not receive the full benefits of having taken courses online since many organizations and graduate schools do not accept such degrees at face value.
Employers have recognized that online degrees are just as respected, valuable and beneficial as traditional degrees from on-campus institutions. In fact, employers have even begun using web-based resources themselves to provide workers with more opportunities for professional development after being hired so they can continue building their skills and expertise over their careers. Although there is a small difference between promotion opportunities for employees, most companies reported little difference in salary rates when it came to both on-campus and online degrees. And accreditation is far more important to consider than whether the degree was obtained from an on-campus or online school as long as it is regionally accredited.
How to Perform a Quick Verification of a School’s Accreditation status.
Since accreditation is so important for prospective students, especially those enrolling in fully-online programs, any school you are considering should be regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The most common is www.chea.org.
What Career to Choose?
If you are considering furthering your education to make yourself more marketable in the job field, you must find the right program for your needs. Whatever type of degree you are looking for, whether it is an associate’s or master’s degree online or on-campus, finding the right fit will help ensure that you get the most out of your education and improve chances of getting employed in your line of chosen work. It is also important to do some research into which school will give you the best value. This means taking a close look at what career opportunities you have available with each institution along with their tuition rates and graduation requirements. It is better to go through this process before applying so you have a better idea of how many credits you may need to transfer from another institution, if applicable. Researching in advance about the various online and on-campus colleges and universities can help ensure that you make an optimal choice for your future education and career path.
How to Market Your Online Degree to Employers?
Before you begin your job search, make sure you have a good resume ready to go. Whether you are applying online or submitting a hard copy, your resume must stand out from the rest of the applicants.
Although there is no specific format for resumes, they should be clear and concise while still including all pertinent information about your educational background, work history, skills, and achievements. Including keywords throughout your resume will help increase its exposure on job-search websites so more companies will become aware of who you are and what you can offer them in terms of employment. It also helps to include any professional associations with which you have affiliations as well as projects or volunteer work related to your desired field. Always check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors before you submit it to make sure that your application is free of any mistakes.
You should also consider preparing a cover letter that summarises the key points contained within your resume while adding an additional personal touch. Cover letters allow you to add in information that may not have been mentioned in your resume, such as education from other schools or colleges you have attended, language skills, or even skills gained from hobbies or interests outside of work.
Incorporating keywords in your cover letter will help increase its exposure so more companies will become aware of who you are and what you can offer them in terms of employment. Your cover letter is a great place to explain any gaps in employment.
Which Careers Are Best Suited to Online Degrees?
Professions that are best suited to online degrees include education, business, healthcare, counseling, and social work. These industries have a high demand for professional workers who have pursued higher education beyond high school.
The benefits of working in these fields while holding an online degree include having flexible hours to balance with other commitments such as school or family life while still being able to advance your career. Some jobs may even allow you to study abroad or attend classes facilitated by teachers at another location. This means that it is very important to investigate the programs available before you apply so you can choose whether pursuing an online degree would fit well within your overall plan.
Many people choose to pursue graduate studies after completing their bachelor’s because they want to continue to learn and add to their education credentials. Graduate degrees allow you to further specialize your knowledge in a certain subject and earn the opportunity of more competitive salaries.
Many people choose to go on with graduate studies while holding a full-time job, either online or at a traditional campus, and some institutions even offer funds for employees who want to attend. This way, you can continue developing your skills while still advancing your career.
Tips for Choosing a Reputable Online Degree Program
If you’re interested in finding a respected online degree program, many websites give information about accredited schools and programs. There are also school rating services that can provide this information, such as the College Navigator website operated by the U.S. Department of Education. Another good source to check for reputable online colleges is the National Center for Education Statistics, which provides data on accreditation and degrees offered at various institutions.
There is no doubt that having a college degree is an essential aspect of securing employment in today’s competitive job market. With so many different opportunities available, it can become difficult to choose between your options both financially and educationally. Whether you attend an online or traditional campus school program, higher education can have long-term benefits for your career. For that reason, it is always best to find a program that can help you advance your professional aspirations while meeting the criteria of the industry you wish to work in.
Are Online Degrees More Cost-Effective Than On-Campus Programs?
Pursuing a college degree in a traditional campus setting can be a great experience, with many opportunities to meet friends and network with people from all over the world. That being said, it may not be possible for everyone to attend full-time, which is why online programs have become so popular. Many people find this option more affordable because they can continue with their current employment while attending school, thus allowing them to focus on both their academic and financial goals.
That being said, there may still be additional factors that make traditional schools more appealing. Some of these include having access to lecture notes or course readings before lectures occur if you are unable to attend class time due to work or child care responsibilities. Also, some employers require job applicants to have attended traditional campuses rather than online institutions. As a result, you should do your research so you can find the right program for you based on both academic and financial factors.
Conclusion: Are Online Degrees Respected by Employers
When considering whether an online degree program is a right choice for you, it’s important to do your research. Not all programs are created equal, so compare your options against various factors such as academic reputation, financial aid options, and employment statistics. Some students may also be concerned about not meeting in person with professors or classmates but this can easily be mitigated by finding a program that offers tutoring or discussion boards to interact with fellow students who attend full-time.
If you’re interested in furthering your education credentials while advancing your career, pursuing a graduate degree could prove beneficial. An increasing number of people opt to attend school while working so they can find the right balance between their work and responsibilities. No matter what type of school you attend, an accredited degree can improve one’s chances of securing employment in the competitive job market.