Is an Online Degree Valid?

Answer: Online learning is more popular than ever but there are some unscrupulous institutions that run degree mills, they take students' money and award degrees that take very little work and time. How do you tell a legitimate degree? Accreditation. Is the institution regionally accredited? If in doubt, contact the Department of Higher Education. Is the program that you're interested in accredited by the major disciplinary body in your field? For example, if a clinical psychology program, is it accredited by the American Psychological Association? Note that not all disciplines accredit programs. Do your homework
Beware of any degree that is offered based on your work history or seems to be very easy to take very little time. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Liberal arts colleges experimenting with online learning

Online learning courses are beginning to make an impact in liberal arts colleges across the US, an education reporter has said.
Writing for Inside Higher Ed, Steve Kolowich noted a number of "top-rated" institutions of this type have begun to investigate e-learning.
Traditional universities are familiar with this innovation, he stated, pointing out academia in these buildings was previously imparted through the hosting of lectures in large halls, with this education method easily transferring to the internet.
Conversely, the expert explained liberal arts colleges usually had the appeal of "small classes and regular face-time with professors".
These instructors are now examining online training courses that educate students in concepts by using "artificially intelligent tutoring software" in lieu of human lecturers or static textbooks, Mr Kolowich declared.
Educators are being provided with greater levels of flexibility when working out the course syllabus and learners who are "academically unprepared" are being supported through increasing use of virtual learning environments, he said.
Some of the best liberal arts colleges in the US, such as Wesleyan and Bryn Mawr, strive to provide opportunities to individuals from deprived backgrounds and aim to provide these people with admission "without setting them up for failure", the specialist continued.
Bryn Mawr claims to give its students control over their education, taking advantage of academic opportunities in laboratories and classrooms, as well as across disciplines.
Furthermore, it has eight students for every member of faculty and offers 36 major courses, 38 minors and eight concentrations to its attendees.
Mr Kolowich explained this institution has also begun to experiment in the potential of online learning.
It has found the tool does not merely provide efficient education to students and enable them to pass a course, but can offer a "blended model of online and classroom learning", he argued.
Using online training in this manner "could reinforce liberal arts colleges' hands-on teaching ethos, rather than subvert it", the specialist remarked.
03 July 2012
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Online Graduate Degrees: Better or Worse than the Real Deal?

Millions of students are logging on and booting up around the world to earn their graduate degrees in a somewhat nontraditional manner: online. While they believe the degree boosts their marketability in the career world, some might wonder whether online degrees hold the same level of credibility as the traditional degree does.
It's easy to see why online degrees have grown in popularity. Online learning eliminates many scheduling conflicts and geographic limitations—and not to mention we are living in an ever-growing technological society. But despite the increase in the number of students taking online classes and enrolling for graduate degrees, seeing online credentials on résumés is still a new notion for many. Many human resources representatives are questioning why applicants have chosen to study from the comfort of their home instead of in a classroom and earn what some call an “empty” education. According to a 2005 Vault Inc. survey, 85 percent of employers believe online degrees are more acceptable today than they were five years ago. But still, the debate continues.
In short, yes, there are plenty of legitimate online programs that offer undergraduate degrees, MBAs, and PhDs. But the unfortunate perception is that obtaining an online degree is simple because of the popularity of fake degrees, also known as diploma mills. Customers can simply pay a fee and receive their diploma—not legit of course.
But just like any traditional university or college, not all online programs are created equal. Before enrolling, do your research so you don't waste time, money, and brainpower. Perhaps the most important quality to look for is accreditation—and verify it with an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The CHEA says that it examines a school's performance in a variety of areas, including “expected student achievement, curriculum, faculty, services, and academic support for students.” Therefore, whether the school is online or traditional, it must meet a high level of educational standards to determine if it provides quality education worthy of the CHEA's stamp of approval.
Many students say there is a stigma associated with online learning, but others enjoy the technological aspect of a virtual classroom experience. Students become “tech savvy” and stay up-to-date with new software.
But, while many students enjoy earning their graduate degrees solo, a big disadvantage to students is the lack of social interaction and learning from their classmates—often a critical part of the learning process. To combat this, many online schools require online interaction with students and instructors several times a week.
The bottom line employers seem to agree on is this: if you're a resourceful and disciplined enough person to earn a degree—whether listening to a lecture on a computer or in person—potential employers will see your dedication and give you a fair shot at the job. In the end, a degree is a degree.