Several years ago, the thought of an online degree brought to mind a sleazy diploma mill equipped with a printer and a pile of blank certificates. Throw in an additional $25 and a beautiful frame would be included. Times have changed with so many reputable universities offering degree programs online, but occasionally a news story will cause online educators to cringe. This certainly was the case in April of 2010 when the mayor of West Linn was forced to resign amid allegations that her educational credentials came a so-called diploma mill, Redding University. The incident was more troubling since Ms. Patti Galle had backdated her degree to 1973, 30 years before the “university” was even in operation. Perhaps she could have kept the secret except for her claim to be “degreed in English.” Do not confuse diploma mills with online universities. The two are not synonymous.
Fortunately the reputation of online universities does not depend on one an isolated, high-profile incident. The education standards of many online universities are as high, if not higher, than their traditional campus counterparts. It is true that an online program will not replace the experience students seek in a traditional program, but many come close. From online classes that include video conferencing, to study groups with peers, to group projects with students from all over the country, the face of online education has changed dramatically through the years. Many universities with strong traditional programs and campuses have taken a leap to include online programs for non-traditional students many miles away and many years removed from the online degrees of yesteryear.
At one time a college student from a traditional campus was considered “old” if he or she was 30. Now students online come in nearly every age group and 30 likely would be considered on the young edge of the age spectrum. Students come in every age category including students working on degrees with children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren cheering them on. What was once considered an arena for the under-30 crowd has opened up to include people who were beginning to give up on ever graduating. This has been made possible by the increase and quality of online programs.
An online degree means work and commitment. Students who do not meet deadlines or are not willing to work toward completing assignments are destined to fail. These requirements for success are no different than traditional on-campus programs. Other factors, such as how many classes a student is willing to take during an online term will also contribute to obtaining a degree. In many instances, students who attended college immediately after graduating from high school will find many of their classes can transfer to the online degree program and make the degree attainable in a shorter timeframe.
The best advice to a person considering an online education is to be prepared and know that you are in good company. Do not think it will be an easy ride and prepare yourself for success because it will come if you are ready to work for it. Do not allow someone’s pessimistic impression of an online education dissuade your efforts. Most people who criticize are misinformed and will remember nearly every negative thing they have read about it. If they bring the former mayor of West Linn up, remind them her fall from grace had nothing to do with an online university and everything to do with a diploma mill.
Comments