Pursuing college classes or getting your degree is a sensible approach to recession-proof your job, in addition to broadening your educational horizons and enriching both your personal and professional life. Pursuing an online degree is one of the most convenient options for busy working adults to finish their education.
Some people have a negative perception of online associate degree programs. Often, this is simply a result of a lack of knowledge about what it’s like to pursue a degree online. The truth is that online classes, online degrees, and distance learning offer a highly flexible and innovative approach to complete your education.
Here are five common misconceptions regarding online degrees, as well as the truth about them.
Myth 1: You’re on your own with an online degree.
In a nutshell, yes and no. Yes, this style of learning does require a certain amount of personal responsibility. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. To be sure, the dread of being left to your own devices is natural anxiety. However, suppose you imagine yourself alone with your computer (perhaps at all hours of the night) with no one to chat to or ask questions. In that case, you might be pleasantly surprised at how some of today’s online learning platforms let you stay connected to classmates and lecturers. Even though there is no classroom, whiteboard, or lectern within the virtual walls of online learning, there is plenty of interaction. With chat rooms, forums, and one-on-one instructor feedback, as well as phone, text, email, and office appointments (depending on your region and the program you choose), many online degree students feel vastly more connected online than they do in the traditional classroom. Make a list of the things that matter most to you in this area. Consider formal classroom learning if you’re more on the “con” side than the “pro” side. Even better, try out one online class to see how you do. Hybrid programs, in which you take some classes online and some in person, are also very popular. Get a feel for both forms to see what you like.
Myth 2: Your online degree won’t be considered seriously by potential employers.
The fact that online degree program graduates receive the same degree as face-to-face students is a commonly neglected truth. Unless you tell them during an interview, the prospective employer is unlikely to notice the difference. When evaluating your qualifications, companies are more likely to consider the institution’s reputation. Employers may be wary of a degree from one of the large, for-profit diploma mills, and understandably so, but they are generally not against online degrees like an online information technology degree. Examine your school’s relationship with the local business sector to guarantee that future employers will take your degree seriously. According to a recent study of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) members, 79 percent of those polled have employed a candidate with an online degree in the preceding 12 months.
Myth 3: You’ll always have professor issues with an online degree.
There are no certainties, but with the range of contact channels available to today’s online students, some suggest getting your professor’s attention maybe even more accessible in the virtual world. Academics can be reached by phone calls, text messages, emails, instant messaging, group work, and chat. Students have unparalleled access to online learning tools, instructor biographies, and blogs in some online learning environments. Before deciding on a program, find out how the institution fosters collaboration between professors and students and between students and classmates.
Myth 4: Online degree classes are too simple. You won’t be pushed or learn anything.
This is a typical misunderstanding. And one that is compounded in part by the widespread use of search engines and the potential assistance. You can’t merely “Google” your way to test answers or a degree in reality. In the virtual classroom, there is just as much oversight as there is in a traditional classroom. Proctored exams, for example, ensure that you earn your mark by applying your hard-won knowledge and skills. Furthermore, coursework in authorized online degree programs like a degree in behavioral science is equally rigorous whether sessions are attended online or offline, as both are subjected to the same educational standards. The difficulty of each online class, just as in the classroom, is determined by various factors, including the nature of the topic being taught and the professor presenting it.
Myth 5: Online degrees are not accredited; thus, you aren’t receiving a “genuine” degree.
A university or institution must be assessed and certified by a respected third-party accrediting agency as meeting set educational requirements to get accredited. This is a difficult one because some institutions are not accredited at the regional or national levels. Avoid diploma mills and instead get an online degree from a recognized college. So, given the facts mentioned above, what are your thoughts? If you’re considering enrolling in an online associate degree program or believe you might be interested, visit our website at WorldWideLearn to contact one of our online consultants. They’ll answer all of your questions and give you a fair idea of if an online associate degree is suited for you.