Are Online College Degrees Legitimate?

Going to a traditional college campus is often something that many people simply cannot do. It could be that they cannot afford it, they cannot devote that much time to a college campus away from home, or they simply cannot or do not want to go to a traditional college.

Here is where online college or online college degrees come into play.

How Does An Online College Differ From Traditional Colleges?

So what exactly is online college? Most traditional colleges offer some measure of online course or online classes. Some even offer degree tracks that are completely online and that a student can pursue and get a degree in.

When it comes to colleges that are fully online, it is important that students take the time to check the accreditation of the college or degree course in question. Each online college is required to list their accreditation status if they are accredited by any of the major accrediting boards and commissions.

If a student is thinking of applying to an online college and they cannot find any accreditation, calling the office of the bursar for that particular college may get them the answer they want.

If a college is not accredited, there is a likelihood that any degree that is attained through that university is going to have very little weight and value with employers, if any at all.

If a college is not accredited, there is a likelihood that any degree that is attained through that university is going to have very little weight and value with employers, if any at all.

When applying to an online college, it is important for students to take the time to look at accreditation before they sink thousands of dollars into a degree from that school.

There are plenty of accredited colleges that offer both online options as well as in-person courses. For those that are interested in what is considered to be a hybrid degree, a student will be taking classes both in-person on the campus and online.

Are Online College Degrees Legitimate?

So this brings us to the question: Are online college degrees legitimate?

The legitimacy of a college degree that was attained online is based on both the student and the college itself. Online college degrees from major universities are always some of the best options because those degrees will carry the name of that institution.

A university like the University of Kentucky for example, has online degree programs. They are fully accredited and have a fantastic reputation which makes their online degrees just as reputable and legitimate.

A student also has to know that they are going to have to put in the work to earn their online degree just like earning a degree from a traditional educational institution.

A student also has to know that they are going to have to put in the work to earn their online degree just like earning a degree from a traditional educational institution.

In terms of overall legitimacy, if the college that is awarding the degree is fully accredited and the student passes all necessary classes and testing, then of course the degree is legitimate and valid.

Students need to worry less about the legitimacy of the degree itself, and more about the legitimacy and accreditation of the college in question.

A student could take every single course online and the degree, when awarded, is not going to say anything about how the degree was earned. It is just going to reflect the fact that the student met all the needs to be awarded the degree and that they completed all the necessary testing and courses.

A degree does not say “online” or “on campus”, rather, it simply says that the student was awarded the degree and that they earned it.

A degree does not say “online” or “on campus”, rather, it simply says that the student was awarded the degree and that they earned it.

Also, the real difference comes in with the college that the student has selected to earn a degree from. If the college is accredited, has a good reputation, and employers recognize the college as a good school, then it does not matter if students took the classes online or in person.

What really matters is that the student had the fortitude to complete the degree and to take all the classes needed to finish the degree.

Held To The Same Standards As Traditional Colleges

Online colleges are just as legitimate as traditional colleges. It is a school’s reputation and the accreditation of that college that truly determines the legitimacy of the degree and how people perceive it.

Online colleges and degrees are held to the same standard as those colleges that offer only in-person classes.

Online colleges and degrees are held to the same standard as those colleges that offer only in-person classes.

Taking the time to earn a degree is a fantastic decision and is a great way to further career options and can help to further knowledge as well. Online degrees are a great option for those who might not be able to get a traditional degree in-person, on campus.