Distance learning seems like the Holy Grail to workers who are held back at their jobs because they lack a degree. But some online degrees aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. Many institutions are getting labeled as “degree factories” that don’t provide their students with any of the skills that employers are looking for, and some employers are starting to look skeptically at online degrees. So how does a prospective online student find the right school for them? They start by asking the right questions.
Distance learning seems like the Holy Grail to workers who are held back at their jobs because they lack a degree. But some online degrees aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. Many institutions are getting labeled as “degree factories” that don’t provide their students with any of the skills that employers are looking for, and some employers are starting to look skeptically at online degrees. So how does a prospective online student find the right school for them? It starts by asking the right questions.As recently as twenty years ago, earning a college degree while working full-time was a near impossibility. Slowly, a handful of colleges and universities started offering degree programs at night and on weekends, but choices were very limited and you still had to attend classes – usually at their campus. Now, thanks to the Internet, distance learning has become the saving grace for people who need to get a college degree after joining the workplace. Do your research before applying to any institution offering online degrees. First, find out if there are any schools in your area that offer degree programs at night or on the weekend. These should be evaluated at the same time you research distance learning programs. The most important thing you need to know about any online program is whether the school is accredited. A non-accredited school shouldn’t be considered – employers won’t consider such a degree meaningful. Next, find out what degrees they offer and how comprehensive the coursework is. (While prospective students may like the idea of easy coursework, a program that is too easy won’t provide the skills required for career success.) Finally, find out what prior students think of the school and the degrees they received. If they were able to go places with the degree, you can feel confident that you will too. While these may be the most difficult questions to get answered, they will provide the most confidence that the degree you are getting really is the right one. There are a few places on the internet that bring people with questions together with the people who can answer them. Take a little time and find those places and get the answers you need.While your current employer may be looking for just a piece of paper to be able to offer you that promotion you so richly deserve, any future employers will be taking a longer look at the degree and where it came from. Doing the research to make sure you are getting the right degree from the right college will make sure that every employer will be interested in you.
Alan Ceinture is a leading expert for CompleteSchools.com (http://www.completeschools.com) where he provides extensive knowledge of both traditional College Degrees and online degree programs. At Completeschools.com you can find costs, enrollment data, and answers on over 6,500 educational institutions.
