If you have big ambitions for your career, but you need the flexibility to do classwork on your timetable, online college is an option. One of the biggest questions you might have is whether you can get a good job with an online degree. This is one of the biggest questions students have, and fortunately, there is good news to share..
Employers respect online degrees now much more widely than twenty years ago. The reputation and value of online business degrees is comparable to similar degrees earned at a traditional brick-and-mortar college. Students who earn an online degree from a respected, accredited educational institution are likely to get a good job, if they also have the soft skills and experience employers are seeking.
Is an Online Degree the Same as a Traditional Degree?
In the past, there was an assumption that online degrees were different from degrees earned in a traditional classroom. This stigma has largely been erased, as most legacy colleges and universities offer online degrees in certain programs. There is no difference between a traditional degree program and an online degree program, as accredited degree programs must be approved by the regional accreditation bodies, regardless if they are in a physical classroom setting or taught online. The only difference is the format of instruction; the courses that are being taught are the same or comparable to each other. In an online degree program, students still have class discussions, talk to instructors, take tests, and must complete coursework by certain deadlines.
Can You Get a Good Job With An Online Degree?
Students with an online degree can still get good jobs with high income earning potential. The important factors employers look at are the quality of the program, the experience of the candidate, and the technical and soft skills the candidate possesses.
Do Employers Care if You Have an Online Degree?
More often than not, employers look at your degree as the same whether it was earned in a traditional setting or online. As long as the degree is earned from a reputable school with regional accreditation, they respect the fact that you’ve done the work to earn a degree and learn the skills needed to go to the next level in your career. Online degrees are incredibly commonplace now, with many traditional schools also offering hybrid and online degrees.
Employers look at certain criteria to determine whether your degree is reputable.
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What Factors Do Employers Consider When Evaluating Your Degree?
Earning a degree can be a factor in helping you land a good position in a company, but hiring managers will look at certain factors when evaluating your degree.
Is the College Accredited?
This is one of the most important factors in evaluating a degree program. Most reputable colleges and universities are regionally accredited. In the United States, there are regional accreditation bodies that must approve college programs before they are offered to students. Credits from schools that are regionally accredited can generally be transferred to any other college that is accredited. National accreditation is something different, and these credits are generally not transferable to other colleges. Regional accreditation ensures that a program has undergone rigorous scrutiny and evaluation by an independent body.
Are the Credits Transferrable?
If all the credits in a program are transferable to a state college, the online degree is considered to be equivalent to a degree from a traditional college, in the eyes of most employers.
Quality of Education and Instructors
The track record of a school’s graduates and their instructors is a big factor in determining the value of an online degree. Instructors that have had tenures at well-established institutions will go a long way towards legitimizing a degree program. The quality of education, and the amount of knowledge students are required to learn will also be a big factor in the reputation of a degree. Make sure the curriculum is relevant to the skills the students will need in the job market.
Duration of a Degree Program
Most colleges and universities must spend a certain amount of time on each course, and refrain from “speedrunning” through information to churn out graduates. If the length of the program is sufficient to teach students the knowledge they need, the program may be considered more reputable.
Does the School List the Faculty?
Most community colleges, state colleges, and universities have the instructors and faculty listed on their website. Employers and prospective students should take note of each school that does not list any instructors for their programs. The quality of education is directly affected by who is teaching students in a degree program.
Employer Partnerships with Online Schools
Some colleges that offer online degrees work directly with companies that have a need for employees with the training that higher education schools provide. Yes, there are some colleges that have relationships with employers. Those colleges may be able to help point you in the direction of employers who are looking for candidates with your chosen degree. Look for schools that develop talent for companies using a robust educational program.
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