Online Colleges Spur Controversy
May 31st, 2006
After two high-level law enforcement officials were accused of receiving their Master's degrees from a 'diploma mill,' the very nature of online education became a heated topic of debate.
Many people felt this exposed a weakness in online college degrees, and that the entire industry should be viewed with less respect and trust.
This author fights back , reminding readers that online universities offer a true value, and that a few bad apples should not spoil the bunch.
The HNT article reported as much when the staff writer wrote: ". . . who earned degrees online "places that do not require actual courses or exams." The problem, however, is that this syntax does not differentiate between all institutions that offer online courses and degrees, and it connotes that online degrees in general "do not require actual courses or exams." This cannot be further from the truth.
The distinction should be made in the accreditation as most employers only recognize degrees for employment and promotion that come from "accredited" institutions. And, that doesn't just mean that the institution uses the word "accredited," but who accredits them.
It's nice to see both sides of the issue examined. Have you ever experienced prejudice because you opted for an online education?
(Image: Hugh Holub)
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