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I am considering enrolling in an online masters program given be a brick and mortar college. I know there is a stigma against online degrees from for profit schools but does the same stigma apply for online degrees from not for profit colleges?
I don't think so, however, some people will still view it as being inferior somehow. I think more and more b&m schools are tapping into the online market. Some degrees it works well for, some it doesn't. I think it is important to look at what the purpose of the degree is before you decide if an online degree from a b&m is for you.
The overall impression is definitely improving, as more and more state colleges and even some ivies implement online programs. In a lot of ways, the rules for online programs are the same as brick-and-mortar programs:
All brick-and-mortar universities cannot be lumped into the same category. Some are better than others. The same is true for online. And all academic programs from one particular brick-and-mortar university do not have the same reputation. Some programs have a better reputation than others. The same is true for online programs.
Although online academics are relatively new, some programs are older than others. Just as with brick and mortar programs, newer programs are going to be viewed with more skepticism by the professional community. It takes time to build a reputation.
And not every occupation has the same impression of online programs. It's a good idea to ask the professionals in your area about their opinions of this particular degree, from this particular program.
Most brick and mortar schools won't specify how you attained the degree on your diploma and transcripts, so the only way an empolyer would know is if you worked in one state while going to a school in another state
Most brick and mortar schools won't specify how you attained the degree on your diploma and transcripts, so the only way an empolyer would know is if you worked in one state while going to a school in another state
Even that isn't so true anymore. I live in Washington DC, and here you can attend Boston University, University of California, or NYU--to name a few. These are brick-and-mortar campuses. It's probably more common in DC than elsewhere because there are a lot of people who are here for internships or political assignments who want to continue their studies while living here temporarily.
But still, you can't take a look at where people attended school and where they worked and assume they attended school online anymore. Everything's blurred.
Even that isn't so true anymore. I live in Washington DC, and here you can attend Boston University, University of California, or NYU--to name a few. These are brick-and-mortar campuses. It's probably more common in DC than elsewhere because there are a lot of people who are here for internships or political assignments who want to continue their studies while living here temporarily.
But still, you can't take a look at where people attended school and where they worked and assume they attended school online anymore. Everything's blurred.
Internships and other temporary work assignment wouldn't raise the online flag because most "traditional" students participate in those type of programs.(I go to a brick-and-mortar university in Atlanta and I have potential internships in NC, DC, and AL)
I'm referring to the paralegal in New Jersey who gets her BA from a school in Minnesota. I would think most hiring managers would assume that this person must have gone to school online to complete such a feat. No?
I did extensive research on this in years past, because I really enjoy online classes. Here's what I found (the short, convenient version):
1) Online degrees from brick and mortar schools are fine. There is nothing on the degree that says it was online. No one will ever know.
2) Online degrees from online schools, rightly or not, are frowned upon. I personally see no loss of value in online classes versus brick and mortar classes like so many do, especially from a brick and mortar school. More of them need to offer such programs.
I'm doing online accounting classes from a public school in Oregon and I'm in Texas... doesn't matter as long as at the end of the day, I can qualify to take the CPA.
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