Todays New York Times contains a 52 page supplement on matters related to education entitled, "Educational Life." There are a number of articles on various subjects and about a zillion ads (give or take a million) for colleges located around the country. How many of those advertisements made any mention of Distance Education? I counted four. University of Pennsylvania Skidmore College California Institute of Integral Studies Saybrook Graduate School & Research Center In view of the reported increase in popularity of DL programs I was a bit surprised not to see more. Jack
Dirty Little Secret? In some circles, DL is a "dirty little secret" that is still frowned upon i.e. you are treated differently if people find out that you got an online degree. Some people view it as a cheap correspondence course. While this is not true in all circles, it is certainly true in many circles. Just because there is a general agreement of acceptance for DL degrees on this forum doesn't mean that the same general opinion exists in the mainstream. For example, if I pursue an online doctorate and if I am challenged on the witness stand in court, will I lose credibility if this fact is revealed? Scenario in court between an attorney and Dr. John Doe, who got his AA, BA, MA and Ph.D via DL: Attorney: Mr. John Doe, is it true that you got your ‘doctorate’ through a correspondence program, often called an ‘online’ degree? Mr. John Doe: Yes. Attorney: Isn't it true that all your degrees were obtained through correspondence, also known as "online?" Mr. John Doe: Yes. Attorney: Isn't it true that you never set foot in a classroom for almost 100% of your academic coursework? Mr. John Doe: Yes. Attorney: The defense rests. What kind of impact would this have on the credability of the "doctor?" Favorably, unfavorably or moot? I don't think that these types of issues have been worked out yet. Perception is reality in the eye of the beholder...
Re direct examination: Q: You just told us that you received your degrees through distance learning? A: Yes. Q: Is your Ph.D. accredited? A: Yes, it is. My degree came from Online University, accredited by the (blank) Association of Colleges and Schools. Q: Is that a regional accreditator? A: Yes. My degree is recognized by the same accrediting authority as any other legitimate doctorate in the subject. Q: No further questions, Your Honor. (Shorthand, of course) Nosborne, JD
