Houston Business University

online degrees?

does anyone have any info on how these degrees are being received? as in, do employers give them as much creedence as those from campus-based programs? I'm considering either a degree in education or communications, and wondering how an online degree will stack up against the requirement with so many jobs I look at wanting a degree in journalism

Public Comments

1. In the UK, Open University degrees are given credence by employers. To help if you're thinking about a job in journalism, some first hand experience of such work may be useful. You could try work experience with a local newspaper. (You may have to start off making tea,etc. But you could also try writing stories on issues that come in which may give your boss some idea of whether you're any good or not - or at least have some potential.)
2. Recent academic research tells us that it is not online vs traditional but instead all about the reputation of the college awarding the degree. Online coursework is nothing unusual these days, almost everyone teaches online and at many you can complete all of the courses in a degree online. The question employers ask is whether the school is accredited (and by who) and what's the reputation of that college. Education degrees online are plenty. They are second only to business majors. Communication and journalism isn't as common but is available. You want to explore all of your options and not simply those "as seen on TV" programs or the paid ads on your Google search. Look for programs like these: UMass http://www.umassonline.net/Home.html Florida State http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/online/ Oregon State http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/ SUNY - http://www.oswego.edu/academics/continuing/index.html Montana State http://www.msubonline.org/ Maybe even the State U in your own state. Remember though - journalism gigs want to see some actual journalism experience in addition to the degree. You have to get both. Offer to do some PR/News Release writing for some non-profits in your area to get your foot in the door and get some print credits you can show off.