Online Degrees: Do they have value?
May 2, 2009 by Ira Barron
Filed under Online Colleges
Online education was born in the 1960′s. It’s welcome was lukewarm at best.
Students worried if degrees from online colleges would be recognized. And, their concern was well justified; many employers were outspoken about their reluctance to hire online university graduates.
For many years, established, traditional colleges opposed online education. In fact, some successfully campaigned against having institutions like the University of Phoenix, Walden University, and Nova University offer classes in their states.
Today, in 2009, attitudes are far different. Students feel confident that online degrees can help them reach their professional goals. Most employers, including some of the largest corporations in America, are more than willing to hire graduates of online college programs. Even colleges and universities are hiring faculty and staff with one or more online degrees.
In addition, the same colleges that were opposed to distance education currently offer online degree and/or certificate programs. Even PhD’s and professional degrees may be earned online.
On the downside, there are still some degree mills out there offering bogus degrees to anyone willing and able to write a check. However, most of the states in which the degree mills have operated are cracking down on them. And, more accredited online degree programs are being offered than ever before.
As late as 1975 or 1980 there were a very limited number of accredited universities with online degree programs. Furthermore, they offered degrees in only a very few major areas of study. Now there are in excess of 200 fully accredited U.S. institutions offering degrees at all levels.
Even better is the fact that students in online education programs can now qualify for all kinds of financial aid. Until fairly recently, that was not the case.
The bottom line is that that folks who want to continue their educations should seriously consider both traditional and online education. Both can offer a solid education and a start on the path to career advancement.
