Will employers accept online degrees?

Online degrees have become a prominent option for individuals seeking to advance their careers or acquire new skills. With the convenience and flexibility they offer, online degrees have grown in popularity. However, a critical question looms for prospective students: will employers value and accept online degrees? In this blog post, we’ll explore the perception of online degrees in the job market, considering the changing dynamics of remote work and the increasing prevalence of virtual education.

Read more: Online degrees & regular degrees hold same value

The rise of online degrees

Online education has experienced exponential growth in recent years, driven by technological advancements and the increasing demand for flexible learning options. Institutions, both traditional and online-only, now offer a myriad of degree programs ranging from bachelor’s to master’s and even doctoral levels. The convenience of learning from anywhere, at any time, has attracted a diverse demographic of students, including working professionals, parents, and individuals with geographical constraints.

How degrees play an important role in hiring decision?

Your qualification is your key to unlocking the right job for you. Each degree that you add to your resume gives you an edge over your competitors. It also increases your chance of cracking the job of your desire.

If you are wondering why degrees still matter? The reason is simple. Your degree makes your skill visible. For instance, even if you have the best managerial skills, the top corporates won’t hire you, unless your knowledge is supplemented by a master’s degree in business management.

Similarly, for any job and any position, a person with a higher education level will be preferred over the other person. It also establishes you as an expert in the said field. So even if you are planning to start your own venture or become a freelancer, the person at the other end is likely to ask for your degree. An online degree also increases your chance of getting promoted in your existing job.

How universities’ accreditation proves the validity of your education?

When a prospective employer goes through your credentials, they not just see what degrees you have but also the university from where you have acquired it. Universities play an important role in determining the quality of education. That is why the same BCA course from two different places may hold different levels of value.

The top universities offering online programs have taken several steps to ensure that students learning via their digital devices are at par with the students who opt for offline classes. By employing the world-class digital infrastructure and latest smart learning tools, the students get a similar experience to what they would even if they were attending the offline classes. So efficient are these tools of learning that even the offline classes often depend on the digital medium to help the students gain wholesome knowledge.

So even if you are opting for an online degree, its value will be based on the accreditation of the institution provided by the rating agency. In fact, for the top universities, online degrees prove to be more valuable than offline ones from mediocre universities.

Which professions are best suited for online degrees?

Although there is no hard and fast rule for programs that can be conducted online, there are certain programs that require practice in laboratories. For such programs, the college can opt for a mix of online and offline classes. However, for most other programs such as MBA, BBA, BCA, BA and so on, the entire program can be successfully completed online. So, it largely depends on the discipline that you take upon whether you can go for a fully online program.

Read more: Top online degree courses to upskill

Employers take online degrees seriously

Now that you have understood all the details of an online degree and how it is attained, we hope you are confident that you will stand at the same level as your peers who opt for offline classes. The employers too are aware of this fact. That is why they give the same weightage to an online degree as the offline one. All it matters to them is how much knowledge you possess and how well you can apply it to real-life situations.

To get you ready for the challenges that you are likely to face in the real world, online degrees put a lot of emphasis on providing you with practical knowledge. Real-life situations are emulated in the classroom, and students are urged to join internships and the like. So, after you are done with the programme, you will find yourself totally ready to take on the challenges posed by the employers.

What will make you stand out?

An online degree from the right place can even help you stand out amidst the cut-throat competition of today. Given that online degrees are so flexible, you can opt for more than one degree within the same period of time. You can also further your career as an established professional by opting for an online program without taking a break from your job.

Read more: Skills you develop with an online degree

Conclusion

The acceptance of online degrees by employers is a multifaceted issue influenced by changing work dynamics, quality assurance, skills-focused hiring, and globalization. As the professional landscape continues to evolve, the stigma surrounding online degrees is gradually diminishing. Individuals pursuing virtual education can enhance their employability by choosing accredited programs, building a strong portfolio, engaging in networking opportunities, and showcasing their ability to adapt to remote work environments.

Ultimately, the future of online degrees in the job market rests on a collective effort to bridge the gap between traditional and virtual education, recognizing the value that each brings to the table. As the lines between physical and virtual spaces continue to blur, employers who embrace the potential of online education may find themselves with a more diverse, skilled, and adaptable workforce.

If you are considering to pursue an online degree, then look no further than Online Manipal. We give you access to online degrees from premium universities like Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) and Sikkim Manipal University.