Although you probably would not want your doctor to have earned his MD online, online education is becoming more accepted as more and more reputable universities establish online programs. A new survey by Vault, Inc. finds that “85% of employers feel that online degrees are more acceptable today than they were five years ago.”

That said, the quality and reputation of online institutions varies widely; some are good, many are bad, and occasionally there’s an ugly duckling. It is important, therefore, to make sure you don’t end up with a worthless piece of paper from a diploma mill.

What should you look for in an online program? It comes down to one thing—accreditation. You also need to consider such factors as the quality and breadth of courses, the faculty, and the potential for interaction and networking.

Kaplan University was an early player in the online education market, and is therefore a reliable and well-regarded source for an online degree. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA-HLC), and the Higher Learning Commission. University of Phoenix and DeVry University also offer reputable online programs.

Online degrees can be more convenient for working adults but are unlikely to be much less expensive. The bottom line—be very selective about the program and institution you select, and be sure to check out the accreditation. You don’t want to spend many thousands of dollars and a lot of sweat and tears on an ugly duckling.

Comments

 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Our Recent HR Blog Posts

• Dealing with a Toxic Boss
• Company Policy for Instant Messaging and Text Messaging
• The Grapevine: Informal Lines of Communication
• A Free Communication Method that is Thousands of Years Old!
• When Do Teams Make Sense?

Quote of the Day

Leaders need to be optimists. Their vision is beyond the present. ~ Rudy Giuliani