Online degree vs. traditional degree

Jodi - posted on 11/13/2011

Actually, I did my BA (Psychology) as an off campus student (before the days where it was called online). In order to qualify as a Psychologist, I would still have to complete an additional 2 year Masters Degree, or I would have to work as an intern WITH a qualified psychologist for 2 years. I chose not to continue, but as you can see, it is perfectly possible for me to do all of the Academic aspects of this career online if it is done through an accredited institution with an accredited curriculum.

Sapphire - posted on 11/13/2011

" I would be hesitant to make an appointment with a pyhcologist with an online degree"

I agree and disagree. Here's why: Some of the coursework can easily be done on-line like Adolescent Psychology or Marriage/Family Psychology. However the internships would absolutely have to be done in a clinical setting, per se, away from the computer. But, then write up your findings, clinical reports, professinal narratives and submit on-line in conjunction with your clinical supervisor. Also, any LICENSED Psychologist would need to pass state board exams. So while some courses can be done on-line, hands-on internships would need to be fufilled in some kind of practical setting.

Becky - posted on 11/13/2011

I take classes though a Tech school, and should have my associates in Business Management by May. I have taken both online & traditional classes to fit my needs and accomplish my goal.

In the past I have looked at both full traditional brick & mortar schools and online schools. Oddly some of the better online accredited online schools tend to be more expensive than traditional schools.

I found that my personal preference for classes include doing work both online & in class though accelerated programs.

I'm with other on this, as long as you are completing classes and degrees though an accredited program, it won't always matter. Sometimes I think it will matter what type of work your seeking that will make a difference in how seriously your online degree is taken. I would be hesitant to make an appointment with a pyhcologist with an online degree, but I doubt it matters much in the field of accounting.

Vicki - posted on 11/13/2011

I thought I'd struggle with motivation with an online course, as I tend to leave things to the last minute. I must have matured since my last degree since I seem to be managing it. I have an exam today (not online, I have to go to campus for it), please send clever pharmacology thoughts my way!

Brittany - posted on 11/13/2011

You know I think it depends on the person. The college I attend has classes they offer online and they have traditional classes and they also have hybrid classes. The hybrid classes are (for example) an in class lecture with all the homework online and the test is online.

I have taken strict online, strict traditional and the hybrid classes. I PREFER the hybrid classes but, traditional is fine with me. I am not so hot at keeping up with online classes although I believe I am going to try them again next semester, to help teach myself better organization and discipline.

My husband goes to the same college I do, he has taken traditional classes but, he prefers the online classes. He likes to do things at his own pace and he dislikes having to sit in class. He has ADHD.

To each his own. The only thing about online, and some traditional schools, is to check the credits. Make sure they are an accredictecd school. Should you decided to get a BA or a BS they school you attend may not accept the college credits without certain certifications.

Stifler's - posted on 11/12/2011

And even if you go to tutorials and labs on the campus yo're still doing 90% of your degree by downloading course profiles, reading info, gathering sources, asking questions to the lecturer via blackboard online.

Stifler's - posted on 11/12/2011

At the uni I went to every degree is both on campus and offered external. If tht's what you mean by online.

Vicki - posted on 11/12/2011

I've did a degree about (ok more than) 10 years ago on campus at a university. I'm currently studying again, a new degree in a completely different subject. I'm doing online units at the moment. The entire degree can't be online but many of the units can. Since I'm studying part-time I can get units out the way that can be done online (much easier with a 2 year old and shift work!). Once my boy is school age I'll complete units that can't be done online.

The units I'm doing online now are no less challenging, possibly more so, than those where I used to attend lectures and tutorials.

I can see how an employer might be skeptical if your degree said 'from Pete's happy online college', rather than than official university of wherever but generally it doesn't matter.

Becky - posted on 11/12/2011

Good to know. I'm just a little skeptical of universities that send spam to my email account. :)

Sapphire - posted on 11/12/2011

University of Phoenix is a fully accredited institution of higher learning © 2006-2011 University of Phoenix, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy

While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Advisor. For information about University of Phoenix accreditations and licensures, please visit phoenix.edu/about_us/accreditation.html.

Sapphire - posted on 11/12/2011

Becky, are you refering to University of Phoenix? I have taken several of my Educational Administration/Leadership courses on-line via UofP. Yes, they are an accredtied institution. And in my particular area, U of P has several on-site campuses. But even the very last course, my Admin Internship was done on-line, and I had regular contact with my professor. It's all accredited.

Becky - posted on 11/12/2011

I agree, as long as the school is accreditted, I would think they are both equal. If I were to further my education at all at this point, it would be through on-line studies. With young children, that's just a lot more convenient than having to pay for childcare while I'm in school making no money. I would take the online courses through one of our local universities though. These things like Pheonix College, I'm not so sure about. I always wonder how legitimate they are.

Jodi - posted on 11/12/2011

Oh, and in the 7 years it took me to finish my degree part time, I had to attend a few summer school sessions for a few days at a time. But other than that, there was virtually no contact with the University except for assignment submission. Even my exams were organised in a central exam centre closer to my location.

Jodi - posted on 11/12/2011

I have a degree I took by off-campus study. If I'd done the degree now, it would be considered an online degree, but back then, it was all via mail, phone, and some internet (but internet wasn't nearly as sophisticated as it is now. However, my degree IS with an accredited bricks and mortar University here in Australia. The degree I have is exactly the same as that of any of the on campus students who studied the same thing. My graduation certificate, and my course transcript don't say whether it is online or on campus, etc, because IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.

Jeannette - posted on 11/12/2011

Also, the child who plans to attend online university in 2015 has had a very difficult time in traditional educational settings. I tend to believe that a cookie cutter education is not what is best for everyone, but everyone is expected to get that traditional education.

Jeannette - posted on 11/12/2011

I tend to believe that as long as the degree is from an accredited school that it should not matter. Having experienced both settings for myself, in some ways getting an online degree is harder.
Because of where I live, my work schedule, kids' schedules, and family time, I chose the online route most recently.
Having sat in a traditional classroom, in my opinion, the work was easier. Now that I am taking online classes I see how difficult it can be to have to grasp so much on your own. Some classes are not as difficult as others, but that was true for me in the traditional setting as well.
I agree Sara, I think most employers are just looking to ensure that their employees have the desired degree for the job. At least that is what I am hoping for since I want to change careers.

Sapphire - posted on 11/12/2011

On-line degrees from an accredited institution has no greater advantage or disadvantage in the grand scheme of things. In my field of Education, a huge percentage of teachers do the on-line route for their Master's Degree. I personally did a combination of in-class and on-line course work from accredited Universities. No where on the transcript does it state "on-line" or "in-class". Over the past 3-4 years, on-line enrollment quadrupled, and therefore in the next few years, you will see thousands of graduates with on-line degrees. I think the blanket statement of prospective employers not taking on-line degrees seriously might have been true 7-8 years ago. However, a lot of employers have since acknowledged the on-line degree equal to in-class, on-campus degrees. The ratio of students HAVING to work, and then taking on-line classes have pretty much set this standard, and therefore prospective employers have had to adapt. My Master's Degree holds the same weight as my colleague across the hall, who did hers all on-line. On-line accredited degrees can be more beneficial is regard to accelerated programs and networking with a large group of people state-wide/nationwide. I have yet to meet one person who has been hurt by an on-line degree. I've been looking at a 2nd Master's Degree in Educational Counseling, and will do the on-line program at Ottawa University. it sure as hell beats driving over an hour to sit in on a class!

Good Day! - posted on 11/12/2011

I don't know Sherri. My husband has worked in four different places, and had job offers from several other places with his on-line degree. Hasn't hurt him in the least.

Sherri - posted on 11/12/2011

Not sure Laura obviously there are exceptions to every rule.

Isobel - posted on 11/12/2011

what about on-line degrees from traditional schools?

Sherri - posted on 11/12/2011

Not necessarily it is just on line schools are usually not taken as seriously by employers as a traditional school.

Isobel - posted on 11/12/2011

I would say there's nothing wrong with using distance or on-line services from a reputable school, but those fake schools that ONLY exist on line are a sham and should be illegal.

Jeannette - posted on 11/12/2011

@Sherri, is it a specific online university/college in which degrees are getting overlooked?

Sherri - posted on 11/12/2011

I honestly feel all these on line colleges are going to hurt a lot of people. They think their degrees will hold as much weight as a traditional college degree and from experience I have found people with on line degrees get overlooked and not taken as seriously.

Good Day! - posted on 11/12/2011

My husband has 2 traditional degrees (associates and bachelors) and 1 on-line degree (associates) and the on-line degree has opened up better job opportunities for him than his other two degrees. I say as long as the degree program is accredited, go for it. A degree is a degree.