Have you ever heard of an RA-degree discriminated against because it was DL?

Curious question. Have you ever heard of this happening in a hiring situation or transfer process? Was it because the degree was 100% DL, or that ANY of the courses were DL?

Should you volunteer this info in a job interview?

 

100% DL.

Yes, please be up front with the employer.

 

I would be honest but not walk in and say, "Hi I am XXX and my degree was earned online". When the conversation moves to education, be honest. I spoke to an HR person at the company I work at and they said they do not care about DL degrees, they cares more about the decision making process. Why did you opt for an online program? This person went on to say that they have more respect for someone that worked full time and completed an online degree with a plan and purpose then someone that went to a B&M school because their parents "told them to".

 

We should absolutely be upfront if the conversation goes that way and we should not act as if it is something to be ashamed about. Our attitude goes a long way to influence the perception of people.

I worked with two ladies at the Ministry of Health (Ontario). Both with Masters from Athabasca (MBA & the other one in Public Health). Their advanced degrees coupled with their clinical experience (they were both in their early 50's) made them very employable ... they were both very proud of their degrees and they both made a big deal when they went to their respective graduations.

All this to say - the way we portray ourselves and represent our degrees has a lot to do with the perception people have about those degrees.

 

Excellent point, Randell. I like that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yes, I know of people who discriminate against online degrees. This happens most frequently for full-time tenure-track faculty positions at traditional brick & mortar universities, but also occurs in other settings as well. Since hiring tends to be extremely subjective, one is left to the opinions and prejudices of those who hire. The good news is that the acceptance of DL degrees increases each year, as more universities offer online programs and more candidates with talent and marketable experience complete their degrees this way.

 

Although I'm a big fan of DL (getting my MA this way and participating on DI, no less!), I can see why B&M schools might favor B&M graduates because of cultural/organizational factors. I think this is mitigated somewhat when you have experience in a B&M institution (such as getting an MA or BA from one).

 

I see no reason to volunteer that one's degree is DL, any more than you would volunteer that you took classes at night or on Wednesdays or that you have a favorite shirt to study in unless the discussion goes there, or you know there's a sensitivity around DL, then yes, fully disclose.

Phillip

 

I would guess, 80% of the time nobody cares. But still, why would you blurt that out?

Parts of the financial world, some technical fields and especially academia are the most prejudiced against DL. I was talking to the dean of one of my B&M alma maters about employment and he gladly talked to me about it. That is, until I mentioned that my degree was earned onlne, after that, he would not even return my phone calls. I tried a number of times and he did not even give me the courtesy of replying to say that he was not interested. It was a very surprising transformation. But that's just B&M academia, there are many other fish in the sea for the rest of us.

 

Sounds like the same entities that are against NA are against DL....

 

Yea, against everyone who is not exactly like them. sigh.

 

When I started looking at grad programs a few weeks ago, I thought it was difficult. After researching here since, I'm smarter for it.. but man, its even more difficult than I thought it'd be! Accreditation, perception, degree program, school, cost, exam types... wow. I think I'm more confused than when I first started. I'm totally lost!