What Employers Really Think about Your Online Degree (2024)

FAQs

Do employers accept online qualifications? ›

Employers understand that individuals achieve their degree via many different routes, including distance learning. Therefore, you shouldn't worry that this will hold you back.

Online colleges are becoming more popular, but prospective students may still worry about their credibility. We're here to set the record straight: An online degree holds just as much weight as a traditional degree. In fact, data shows that most employers don't even differentiate between the two types of degrees.

Online programmes are also suitable for all those who are already engaged in some work or who do not have suitable opportunities for higher education. However, a pertinent question that students often ask is whether their online degree will be accepted by their employers. The answer is a resounding yes.

While the name of your school isn't likely to land you a job, you'll want to be sure that your degree is from an accredited institution. Employers want to feel confident, knowing you've received a quality education and will bring the skills you developed as an undergraduate student to the table if offered a position.

Do employers accept online degrees? In general, employers should treat an online degree the same as they would a campus-based degree. Most employers care far more about the quality of the school than the delivery format of the degree.

As many as 83% of business leaders see an online degree at a “well-known” institution as having the same value as an on-campus degree. If they are not familiar with a school, however, or the institution isn't known for producing prepared graduates from its programs, your degree may not be seen as having the same value.

Many people wonder, “Are online degrees are respected?”. They wonder if they will be able to make the same living as someone with a traditional degree or if their education is not worth anything. The answer is that an online degree is just as valuable as any other type of degree.

These students simply list the name of the university or school they attended, omitting the term “online” from the education section of the resume. Using this strategy can help you bypass the issues you may face as a graduate of an online degree program.

According to a survey conducted by Gallup and released by the Lumina Foundation, the vast majority of hiring managers really don't care where a job candidate went to school. Corporate bosses were far more interested in a job applicant's knowledge and experience when determining whom to hire.

Which online degree is best? ›

Because of accreditation standards and processes, graduates of online degree programs receive the same rigorous level of education as traditional degree program students. The degree is the achievement earned.

Employers aren't hung up on what you studied—but they'll still need some convincing to extend you a job offer. Getting a job unrelated to your degree isn't impossible. To graduate on time, you probably needed to declare your major by your sophom*ore year.

Earning your bachelor's degree also increases the likelihood that you will be considered by future employers for career advancement opportunities. An undergraduate degree is also an obvious prerequisite for earning a master's degree or PhD, if you aspire to pursue a graduate education in the future.

Recent grads who end up in jobs that didn't require a college degree are five times as likely to still be in such a position five years later, compared with those who put their diploma to use right away. It can be hard to break out of that path, since employers may typecast applicants by their most recent experience.

An employer will consider an online degree from an accredited university in the same way employers view a degree at a traditional university. You will have the same opportunities and options for your career. If the university is not accredited, then an employer may determine that it is not credible.

The short answer is yes. But there's a "but". Some online programs are for-profit. You can still get a job with a master's from one of these schools, but it might be harder and they aren't as respected as one from a regionally accredited non-profit or state school.

Such is for the fact that DeVry University has regional accreditation. This type of accreditation is more prestigious than the national kind. Thanks to the school's regional accreditation, the credits that you will earn from it will be accepted by another school.

Experts say employers are largely more interested in the person than the degree. They generally won't recognize immediately if that person's degree was obtained online or in person. Some schools are fully online while others offer online programs in addition to their traditional in-person options.

Along with the 12 streams, MPhil or PhD degrees also cannot be offered through online and open and distance learning (ODL) modes.

Are online college classes harder? ›

Are Online Classes Harder in College? Because online classes cover the same or similar material, typically in the same amount of time as traditional classes, they are not harder. The only thing that can make an online class seem harder is the amount of reading and communication they require.

Many Students worry about getting an online degree wondering if they have any value or if the employers and recruiters consider it as a traditional degree. A straight answer to that dilemma is, yes!

Pursuing an online degree is worth just as much as a conventional one. It provides quality education that equips you with the necessary knowledge for better career opportunities and even higher compensation.

Are online courses really effective? Like any class or program, online courses are effective if designed and taught well. In fact, studies have shown that online education increases students' retention of material by up to 60% compared to in-person classes. Part of the reason is flexibility.

It is in your best interest to list your degree as you would a traditional degree on your resume. Put the name of the institution, your major, and also your GPA to attract recruiters. If you earned your online degree from an institution that offers both traditional and online courses, this can work to your advantage.

In summary, you should include online courses on your resume that: Not only teaches you about the subject, but also guides you in producing real results that can be shown to employers. Relevant to the position you're applying to.

Offers Equal Services. The simple answer to this question is that in most cases, online schools do require most of the same work, and meet most of the same standards as a brick and mortar colleges-universities.

When a job is hard to fill, employers are more likely to overlook the lack of a degree when candidates have sufficient experience in place of the “right” education. And in large organizations (those with more than 10,000 employees), experience is more important than a degree 44% of the time.

When is a degree requirement discriminatory? If a degree requirement is a covert way to screen out candidates from a certain protected group, it's likely to be classified as employment discrimination.

Most employers won't check your GPA unless they're hiring for an entry-level job where they're looking for extra qualifiers. For entry-level jobs where candidates may not have much experience to show their work ethic, a GPA can serve as a valuable substitute.

Do online degrees say online on the diploma? ›

The short answer is no, there will be no mention that you took your degree online. Your diploma will look the same as a traditional student attending the brick and mortar institution. Online is only the format you would be taking your education.

Because of accreditation standards and processes, graduates of online degree programs receive the same rigorous level of education as traditional degree program students. The degree is the achievement earned.

In the UK, studying full time is classed as a student carrying out at least 20 hours of study time per week during term time. So provided you are studying an average of this through your online learning, then there is no reason why you couldn't study full time via distance learning.

Employers don't take online courses seriously

This is simply not true. According to UCAS and research provided by Open University, employers view online degrees in the same way as they would an identical on-campus degree. In fact, some saw it as a benefit!

Experts say employers are largely more interested in the person than the degree. They generally won't recognize immediately if that person's degree was obtained online or in person. Some schools are fully online while others offer online programs in addition to their traditional in-person options.

These students simply list the name of the university or school they attended, omitting the term “online” from the education section of the resume. Using this strategy can help you bypass the issues you may face as a graduate of an online degree program.

According to a survey conducted by Gallup and released by the Lumina Foundation, the vast majority of hiring managers really don't care where a job candidate went to school. Corporate bosses were far more interested in a job applicant's knowledge and experience when determining whom to hire.

Many Students worry about getting an online degree wondering if they have any value or if the employers and recruiters consider it as a traditional degree. A straight answer to that dilemma is, yes! Most of the employers value online degrees. Some even believe that a few courses are better if they taught online.

The degrees obtained through distance and online learning from recognised institutions would be treated on par with those offered through conventional mode, according to the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Can online courses get you into university? ›

In short, yes. Check with the university of your choice as they may accept an Access to Higher Education Diploma as part of their entry requirements.

Yes, you can achieve the exact same qualification through studying a degree course online, that you would if you studied on campus.

However, due its flexibility, many believe that The Open University is not a “real” university, and your degree will not be respected by employers. The short answer to the question is yes.

Yes. Advanced degrees completed online have just the same value as if you were to attend class in person. Just look for one that's verified by one of the many accrediting agencies out there and backed up by U.S. News & World Report's highest level higher education rankings.