According to TheBestUniversities.com a 2006 study from Sloan Consortium stated that 62 percent of chief academic officers felt that the online education quality of instruction was the same as face-to-face instruction at a traditional school.
Are online degrees respected the same as a traditional degree from a bricks-and-mortar school? It used to be that an online degree was frowned upon because of all the degree mills that existed. But, today the online degree has gained a high amount of respect from students as well as hiring managers. Traditional schools offer students the opportunity to earn legitimate degrees online rather than attending classes on campus. With today’s busy families, and older students returning to school, an online degree often makes sense.
Traditional vs. Online Colleges
According to TheBestUniversities.com a 2006 study from Sloan Consortium stated that 62 percent of chief academic officers felt that the online education quality of instruction was the same as face-to-face instruction at a traditional school. Hiring managers also look favorably at online degrees and hire qualified candidates that have earned their degree online. MBA programs are the most popular online degrees, and in 2005 it was estimated that 40 percent or more of all MBA candidates were taking classes online. This is because many people seeking an MBA are already working and find it easier to fit online education classes and studying in their busy schedules rather than attending a traditional college or university.
Traditional schools offer the students the chance to socialize with their peers. It is an important time in the life of a young adult attending a college campus. This could be their first time meeting people from different ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. Campus life broadens a student’s perspective of life. The face-to-face interaction with other students and professors prepares the student to enter the real world workplace.
Online degree programs have forums and groups so the students can interact with others in their program, but the students are often living far apart so do not get a chance for personal interaction. The online student also interfaces with professors through email and instant messaging. But there is often a delay in getting answers to questions while the student waits until the professor has time to respond to emails.
Online programs offer learning flexibility and are good for the student who wants to concentrate solely on coursework without the interruptions of other students. But it does take a highly motivated and dedicated student to put in the hours or work and study on their own.
While online students save on expenses such as travel, gas and parking, traditional students have access to college facilities such as the library, laboratories and student unions. Access to the business administration office and professors is easier with traditional schools.
Interestingly, the field of study has a lot to do with the online degree acceptance. According to College Confidential, knowledge-based majors such as information technology and technology are better accepted. Technology and high-tech programs were widely accepted, but areas like law and medicine were least likely to be accepted.
For these reasons, it is not likely that online schools will take the place of traditional schools. Students graduating high school want to attend a traditional institution of higher education for the social and well as educational experience.
