Are Online Degrees Credible?

by Allison Landa

When you choose to embark on an educational program — whether it's an associates, bachelor's, masters, or certification path — it's crucial for you to feel confident that your degree program will hold weight in the working world. When you do your homework, you'll find the type of online programs that are best suited to help you achieve your educational goals.

There are several ways in which online school programs differ from traditional degree paths. While a traditional degree is earned in a classroom setting, online learning (also known as distance learning) takes place over the Internet, using today's technology resources to bring the classroom to the student rather than the other way around. Since traditional schools have in-person classes, students must adjust their schedules to accommodate class times. However, online learning can take place just about anywhere, and students can fit in classes on their own time.

In addition, most traditional degree programs are meant to be completed within a certain time frame — often two years or more. Many online educational programs, though, offer self-paced programs that allow you to finish your degree on your own schedule.


While researching online programs, you'll also want to check into accreditation. Accreditation is a strict multi-year approval process that ensures a school or individual degree program meets a certain standard of quality. The accreditation agency for most distance learning schools is The Distance Education and Training Council; however, the lengthy and voluntary process is also done by other regional agencies. Therefore, you'll not only want to check into a school's accreditation status, but the agency which reviewed it. When looking into accreditation, don't be afraid to ask all the questions you want to get the answers you need!

Whether you're seeking certification training, an associates degree, your bachelor's degree, or a master's degree, there's an online training program to meet your needs. There are several key advantages to an online degree:

Time. As we've already noted, online degree programs are self-paced, so you can complete them in a way that best fits your schedule. All lectures, assignments, and exams are held online — so you can complete your associates, bachelor's, master's, or certification training from the comfort of your living room or even from a coffee shop!

Expense. Distance learning is typically more cost-effective than traditional degree programs — not to mention the money and time you save on commuting.

Convenience. Not only can you attend online courses from anywhere in the world, but all your school materials are archived and recorded, so they're easily accessible to retrieve from the internet whenever you need them.

Instructor access. Rather than making time to attend in-person office hours, you can email your instructors day or night — and receive a rapid response.

When investigating online degree programs, take your time and do your homework. Ask the right questions, investigate accreditation, and talk to professors as well as current students. Doing the research means finding a high-quality online education that will change your life for the better. Get matched with leading online schools

For more information on accreditation and accredited online schools and universities, be sure to visit U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

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Allison Landa is a freelance writer and editor in Berkeley, Calif. She received her master's degree in creative writing at St. Mary's College of California.