With the ability to keep working, take care of a family, and receive a
quality education without relocating, distance learning degrees have continued
to increase in popularity. Unfortunately, the Internet also provides a venue for
bogus diploma mills sprouting up to make money on the sale of fake degrees. In a
report published in 2003, USA Today says 400 such businesses are currently in
operation, and the numbers are increasing as these dubious businesses continue
to make approximately $500 million annually.
Nevertheless, many colleges and universities are now offering legitimate
degrees and diplomas. Unlike the mills, institutions of higher learning are
doing everything possible to provide the same quality of education offered to
students in the traditional learning environment. With access to video lectures,
online courses, innovative online testing methods, and virtual library
facilities, those seeking distance learning degrees can rest assured their
diplomas have been justly earned. Unfortunately, many employers’ views have been
tainted because of the influx of fake degrees.
In an effort to change the negative perception, the U.S. National Education
Board has established 6 accreditation agencies to evaluate and provide
accreditation to the higher learning institutions meeting the minimum criteria
for a quality education, thus differentiating between the bogus degree programs.
For example, the Distance education and training council provides accreditation
for those institutes solely dedicated to online degree programs. The agency is
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher
Education Accreditation.
For the students looking for specific programs of specialization, various
associations are available to assess the excellence of these distance learning
degrees and grant the necessary accreditation to qualifying schools. For
example, accounting programs are scrutinized and accredited by the International
Association for Management Education, and health programs answer to the
evaluations of the American Health Management Association. Only the agencies
recognized by CHEA or the Department of Education have the authority to grant
institutional accreditation.
So, to verify the educational quality of any institution, students, parents,
and potential employers should be concerned about accreditation status. If any
college or university has that coveted seal of approval, it means distance
learning degrees have met the same basic standards of excellence with the
support and facilities necessary to adequately offer online degree programs.
Conversely, specialized accreditation concentrates on evaluating the course
curriculum based upon the established standards of the university or
college.
Accreditation assures employers, parents and students that a respective
college awarding degrees has undergone and passed a stringent test of excellence
in offering quality education in the respective areas of training. On the other
hand, diploma mills and fake colleges don’t meet the same standards of education
imposed by the agencies since they don’t possess any legitimate accreditation.
Thus courses taken by prospective employees that are accredited by the
respective agencies would have met standards imposed on the respective
specialized areas.
Nevertheless, in the end, it all comes down to the discretion of the
employer. He or she must decide whether potential employees have satisfactorily
completed an online degree program. Hopefully, with accreditation through a well
recognized agency, the confusion can be eliminated, and a valid resume will make
it to the short list of excellent candidates with their distance learning
degrees as an impressive symbol of fortitude and dedication to personal
achievement.
Find resources on online education degree and other distance learning degrees
and legit colleges and universities for credible online education.