Are Online Degree Programs Accepted by Employers?
A hot online degree program is a great thing for the schools offering them, but what about for students? Tim Parker, writing in The San Fransciso Chronicle released his list of “Online Degree Programs With Big Demand” today. Parker states in the article that some hiring managers still prefer traditional degrees to online degrees, but this is quickly changing. He also makes the point that if you have a degree from a large, reputable school with an established offline presence, that your diploma will not state whether or not you obtained your degree credentials by studying online at 3 am or by sitting listening to a professor lecture in a college classroom.
Parker’s Hot Online Degree Programs
Without further ado, here are the online degree programs Parker says are very hot right now. To follow are the degrees on his list, along with some snippets of why Parker included them on his list of in-demand online degrees.
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Online Nursing Degrees are hot commodities
- Registered Nurse: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses will remain in high demand and as the baby boomer generation continues to age, the demand will be even greater.
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Accountants:Through 2018, the amount of accountants needed should increase by 22%, according to the BLS. As the economy recovers and financial regulation continues to be a priority among lawmakers, this should spur growth in the accounting job market. Because of this increasing demand, online offerings have increased as well.
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Education:The teaching profession is expected to grow by 13% through 2018. . . .the popularity of advanced degree programs as well as continuing education requirements have made online programs popular in the education field.
Perform due diligence before enrolling in an online degree program
Instead of only looking at for-profit schools such as the University of Phoenix, play it smart and check out if a locally based school with a reputation of offering quality education has online degree programs available. You may qualify for in-state tuition and scholarships and be looked at more favorably by an employer than if your diploma came from a for-profit school.
Parker says that online degrees are not the best fit for everyone.
Along with a high degree of comfort with modern technology, online degrees require large amounts of uninterrupted time, self-discipline and motivation. For some people, traditional classroom settings may fit their personality and technology skillset better.