I've seen several posts about folks who are concerned about whether or not their degree and/or transcript will indicate that it was acquired via distance learning. In fact, I recall an individual's post about AIU saying he was "sickened" by paying all of this money to AIU and the transcript noting "online". Now, here's what I don't get: (The following depiction is totally fictictious and any resemblance to any person (living or dead) or situation is entirely coincidental and unintended. ) Dale is a mid-level manager living in Newport, Rhode Island and is looking to advance his career & distance learning is his only viable option. After looking at several options, Dale decides that Fort Hays State University fits his taste in terms of both cost and convenience. Now, let's move forward a few years. Dale has just completed his degree from FHSU. Now, Dale is looking for greener pastures and applies to another company in Newport. Sure, his degree and transcripts may not indicate "distance learning" but any person with reasonable intelligence would know that he earned his degree at a distance considering FHSU is in Hays, KS. Is this paranoia out of fear of a stigma in the business world? I find it hard to imagine there still being a stigma attached to distance learning considering 1. It's been around for such a long time and 2. So many "big name" schools such as Boston University have developed distance learning programs. This whole issue is really perplexing. Can ANYONE shed some light on this subject for me?
The scenario you've described seems common enough and certainly not too far from my own situation. I believe that the key is the "distance learning is his only viable option" segment. If there's no other way then are you going to give up your goal simply because someone might be narrow minded regarding DL? As for that, I simply assume that there are some people who will look askance at a DL degree. After all, there are ignorant, prejudiced people everywhere. Jack
If I decide to get an MBA it will be via distance learning. I will do everything I possibly can to promote the fact it was a DL program. To me doing a DL program requires self-motivation, the ability to adapt to changing technology, and the ability to work alone if necessary. These are some of the traits that most businesses want in an employee. I will be starting my own business within the next few months. But if I even need to look for a job I will make sure every potential employer knows I received my MBA from a DL school. I wouldn’t mind online being on my transcript. By promoting the fact I went DL I am screening potential employers. If a company is biased against DL then I do not want to work for them, period. Sounds like an old stuffy bureaucratic place to me. The dynamic places that I like are more concerned with what you can do, not where you learned how to do it! Life is way too short to work someplace I have no respect for. Just my opinion
I write on my CV: MBA (E-Business & Tech) via Distance Learning... Well-informed people know what is DL, I suppose. Looking down on it sends me a signal that they're not the right people I should be dealing with. I have a BS degree from a B&M and a long list of Professional Certifications (Engineering and IT) plus senior level recognition from Professional Societies. So, the DL/Online stigma is not at all a concern in my case. So long as my DL/Online degree is not a sub-standard, which can be a potential disgrace to the professional societies I belong, I don’t think I should worry on what other people might say about it. In fact, professional societies themselves, offer distance learning courses for Continuing Professional Development. And some of the courses are articulated toward a degree program.
Hi Felipe, I see you're right up the road from me! I have a question for you about this. How does your employer here in the UAE feel about DL? I ask, because in education, those institutions that fall under the Ministry of Education won't accept distance-based degrees. Right now, those that come under the Ministry of Higher Education do, although many folks are worried that they'll change, too. Apparently, someone got caught with a degree mill master's, so, the Ministry overreacted and banned all distance degrees as appropriate qualifications. I was just wondering what the attitudes were about DL in the private sector in the UAE. Cheers, Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, I’m not really sure whether my current employer will readily accept my MBA from DL. But so far, when I happen to have a chat with my immediate superior, just recently, I heard that one of the “locals” (an Officer) in our unit have also had an MBA from a DL. He (my immediate boss), who himself is also a local here, said that DL degree is accepted in GHQ. I have yet to verify this with GHQ (Armed Forces). One thing that encourages me with my DL initiative is my boss himself has asked me to look for a DL University offering MS in Information Security or IT security related program for himself. He did ask about this few days after we had a talk. This only sends a positive sign that DL degree is accepted in this country, and on that supposition, my degree via DL will hopefully be honored here. I’m quite sure that my boss should have had verified or at least consulted the right authority before embarking on a new DL initiative. Nevertheless, I couldn’t fully rely on what I see now, for changes in this country can just happen overnight. You know what I mean. I have no real experience with the private sector, because as you know I’m with the army, but as I mingle with other engineers (from the British engineering community in the UAE), I heard that some of them also had their advanced engineering degrees via DL from UK. In fact, one of the sponsors in my application for the Chartered Engineer (UK Engineering title - CEng) had his MSc from a UK-based DL. FYI: I originally took on this advanced degree bandwagon to re-sharpen my 17-year old BS degree-earned knowledge and have it properly documented. And the only practical alternative for a working adult is via DL. Although for same reasons, I already had a number of professional certifications (IT and engineering) taken to update my knowledge in my chosen profession, before starting on my current MBA program. I just felt that documenting that knowledge through an advanced degree will be much more valuable, if not here and now, at least in the future and in another place. I started this program by my own initiative and definitely without employer support. If, at the end of the day, they accept this for a qualification, that’s something very much welcome. But the present situation is quite negative though. Our unit’s entire operation (including IT) is going to be outsourced very soon. We are all just waiting for the next termination list, hopefully in Sept. And being an expatriate is a sure bet for the list out.
My apologies ! Adrienne, I apologize for not having congratulated you for your peer-reviewed encyclopedia entry in the other thread. Congratulations! Job well done. BTW: I used to visit Al-ain years back, when my car was still new, and our favorite place was Jebel Hafeet. Now I might not be able to go up there with my 9-year old vehicle.
Hi Felipe, Thanks for the congrats! I used to live in Abu Dhabi, and I much prefer the quiet of Al-Ain . . . Abu Dhabi was too similar to Manhattan for my taste. It's interesting that you work for GHQ. One of the institutions that does not accept DL degrees is the Military Language Institute, which somehow falls under GHQ jurisdiction (as well as the Ministry of Education -- I'm not exactly sure which org. controls what aspect). This decision came down suddenly, and many teachers there had their MA-level salaries cut without warning to BA-level, as their MA's were DL-based. Given how things work over here, you might want to caution your boss to really check out the efficacy of a DL degree for himself, just to be sure. He might have no idea. I'll keep my fingers crossed on the outsourcing. As a fellow expat, I do know how swiftly that pink slip can show up! Cheers, Adrienne
That's a usual practice here, as you know. We have had many colleagues terminated without prior notice, or policies changed without a word. You'll just notice the changes when you're the one affected, and that could happen overnight or sometimes depending on who is incharge of the day. I'll discuss it (DL acceptance in GHQ) with him as soon as I have the chance to chat again. He is local officer (Emarati) anyway, so I can assume he knows their rules.
