The Scoop On Online Degrees: Are They Worth The Cost?

With the recent internet boom and the greatly increased rate of people pursuing college degrees, the combination of the two was all but inevitable. Online schools and online degree programs have stepped in to satisfy the ever growing demand for college education. Masters degrees, on average, require 1-2 years to complete. Bachelors degrees require 4-5 years to complete and doctorates (PHDs) require 3-6 years to complete. Since bachelors and doctorates take so much longer to complete, they are far more difficult to complete online. With this being said, I'm going to focus on online masters degrees in this discussion because these are the degrees to which online schools are most applicable. Online Masters Degrees are also the most popular programs offered by online schools.

Are these online degrees, however, worth the cost? To answer this question you have to evaluate your underlying motivation for getting an online masters degree. If you want the online masters degree in order to expand your knowledge base and you plan to use your skills to start your own business, then it might be a good fit for you. If you plan to work for yourself, then the advantages of a conventional degree do not far outweigh the benefits accrued through an online masters degree. The real issue with an online masters degree is the stigma associated with this type of degree. The public at large does not really see online masters degrees as being equivalent to conventional, offline degrees. One of the major reasons for this widespread stigma is the simple fact that an extremely small amount of online masters degrees are awarded compared to the number of conventional degrees that are awarded.While the number of online degree holders is steadily increasing, this discrepancy will probably exist for quite some time.

Despite this stigma, most jobs will recognize the validity of an online masters degree. The only jobs that may discriminate against online masters degree holders are high profile, highly competitive jobs. For example, a high profile company like Microsoft will often choose a candidate with a conventional masters degree over one with an online masters degree. So, if you're very ambitions and you have high hopes for your career, an online masters degree may be ill suited to your needs. However, even if you are ambitious, you could continue your studies and earn a PHD after completing your online masters degree. If you chose to go this route your online masters degree would not be seen as a detriment. In fact, it would likely not even be considered at all. Employers focus on your highest degree, which, in this case, would be your PHD. Of course, you'll want to obtain your PHD through a reputable, upstanding, offline university. In the following section, I’ll briefly layout the pros and cons associated with online degrees. Notice that some pros can also be cons depending on how you look at it.

• No In Person Meetings. A majority of these online masters degrees require little or no travel to another location.
• Anytime, Anywhere. You can complete the degree anywhere, anytime provided you have internet access
• They’re Less Stressful. With online masters degrees, you can avoid the anxiety of attending lectures and taking tests in a classroom.
• They’re Easier To Complete. This one is debatable, but I’ve heard that these degrees are at least slightly easier than the on campus masters degrees. This may be due to the reduced stress associated with taking classes in the comfort of your own home.
• They’re Cheaper Than Conventional Offline Degrees. If you look at the cost of tuition alone, online masters degrees are cheaper. If you factor in the cost savings for room and board, these degrees are an absolute steal.

• No In Person Meetings. Some students learn much better in a traditional classroom setting. If you’re one of these students, then online masters degrees may be more difficult for you.
• The Stigma. While online masters degrees are slowing gaining mainstream acceptance, they’re currently seen as being inferior to conventional offline degrees.
• Fewer Degrees Are Offered. While the number of online masters degrees offered is growing, there are still far fewer programs offered online as opposed to offline.
• Finding A Job May Be Tougher. For most jobs having an online degree won’t hurt you too much. For high profile jobs, however, you may be passed over if you received your masters degree online.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this hub and learned a thing or two in the process. Please leave me feedback if you like what you've read!