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What will employers think of an online
degree?
It's a common question: People are intrigued by the convenience
of an online degree but wonder what it will be worth in the
workplace.
To get some answers, Dr. Pamela Pease, president of Jones
International University, and Brian Meuller, CEO of University
of Phoenix Online, two of the largest and best known online
universities, were asked to explain the value of an online
education.
It's clear these online universities aren't trying to fill
the same role as traditional institutions. If you're considering
an online degree, read the expert answers below to help you
decide if it will meet your needs, capabilities and situation.
Question: Many people are unsure if employers
will recognize an online degree. How do you respond to their
concerns?
Dr. Pamela Pease: JIU has been awarded regional
accreditation (March 1999). Regional accreditation is the
highest form of accreditation
in the United States. Most employers understand the significance
of accreditation, and it serves as the endorsement most corporations
are seeking. Online learning is a new paradigm, and what employers
are realizing is that an individual who has tapped into the
inherent benefits of online education has demonstrated sought-after
characteristics, including being a self-starter, tech-savvy
and with advanced written communications skills.
Brian Meuller: There are very few employers,
in our experience, who have any opposition to students earning
degrees online. Once we've had a chance to speak with an employer
who may have an issue -- questions about the authenticity,
validity or the rigor of it -- for the most part, those issues
are resolved.
Question: Many traditional universities have
resources to help graduates find employment. Do your universities
offer these resources?
PP: JIU graduates are encouraged to take
advantage of the school's career center, which offers many
helpful links to online resources for job seekers. Many of
our students are also active in the Graduate Management Association,
an alumni and current student peer group that serves as a
network for career advice and assistance.
BM: We don't have that kind of a service.
The reason is that the mission of the university is to offer
degree programs to working adult students. We have a minimum
age requirement of 23, and you have to be employed full-time.
More than 50 percent of our students get some kind of reimbursement
from their company. Most of our students are not career changers;
they're not looking to move outside but to move up within
their companies.
Question: How is an online university better
able to help someone's career than a traditional university
might be?
PP: What our students learn can be immediately
applied to their careers. Our mission is for students to be
able to apply what they learn today on the job tomorrow. With
today's use of high tech tools in the workplace, our students
find that receiving their education via the Internet means
they understand technology and feel comfortable using these
tools to communicate.
BM: The informal networking capabilities
of our students are fairly significant. The student-to-teacher
ratio is very small. Students get to know each other and faculty
members very well. Students frequently go back and communicate
with a previous instructor about a business issue they're
dealing with or to discuss employment opportunities at one
company or another.
Question: How do you know when a candidate
would be better suited for a traditional brick-and-mortar
university?
PP: JIU is designed for adult learners who
are serious about advancing their education and, in turn,
their careers without sacrificing their life. So it's probably
not appropriate for someone looking for the extracurricular
offerings of a traditional university, such as fraternities
or sports.
BM: Many times, people say an online student
needs to be more disciplined, more structured, maybe more
self-motivated to be effective in an online environment. Well,
that depends on how the online format is set up. Phoenix is
very structured. Students who will have problems are weak
writers. They will need to get some help, because all coursework
is conducted through writing.
Four Questions to Ask Before
Entering a Virtual Campus
Am I Their Typical Student?
Most online universities cater to working adults, many already
working in their fields. How well do you fit the profile for
the online university you're considering?
What Is the Experience Like?
Several online universities offer copious information and
advisors to help potential students make informed choices.
Take advantage of resources that allow you to judge the quality
of the online educator you're considering.
What Is the Student-Teacher Ratio?
UOP Online caps classes at 13, and JIU caps theirs at 25.
However, some online providers don't offer these small class
sizes.
Is Online Learning Right for Me?
Be sure to find out before you commit to spending a large
amount of time and money. JIU and UOP Online both allow you
to take courses one at a time. That way, you can reassess
your educational options if you decide an online degree isn't
the right approach.
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