Etiquette for talking to co-workers about your online degree?

I graduated from WNMU's MAIS degree program earlier this year, where I received concentrations in History and English. I now work at a local community college as a writing tutor. I often have people asking about my credentials (mostly just light-heartedly), so I say I got my master's from WNMU, and then they proceed to ask me about what it's like out West? hahaha. Now I've been out West, and even to New Mexico, but I usually tell them I did most of my coursework online. Somehow this feels like it cheapens my hard work is some people's eyes. But, I feel it shouldn't.

So, my question here for DegreeInfo folks is, how do you talk about your graduate studies? Are you more forthright in talking about your online degree, or do you try to skirt the issue? I would like to have some good answers so I can better defend my hard work to my colleagues and students. Thanks!

 

I'm lucky in that I had to go to the UNISA campus in South Africa several times to present my research, so I have the best of both worlds. I can talk about the distance aspect or the campus aspect, both of which I enjoyed. Mine was a mostly research degree though, and most people who would think to ask are familiar with that concept. But I don't think the fact you did your coursework by distance should cheapen it in anyone's eyes. I would just say "I did mine by distance, but it is a great campus too." or something along those lines. Most people regret asking after the conversation goes more than a few sentences, so give them and easy out and ask about their education!

 

I like your thinking Steve! hahaha

 

When talking about my degree(s), I don't offer details as to how it was earned (online, traditional, hybrid). No one does. However, if I am asked specifically about it, I tell the truth. On very rare occasions someone might try to diminish the legitimacy of online learning. In these rare circumstances, I share my personal perspectives, then point them to this study (http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf) that was released by the U.S. Department of Education. To my knowledge this is the largest, most credible study performed on the topic of traditional/hybrid/online learning. Learning outcomes were measured in all 3 groups. While the differences between them are modest, traditional students scored lower than their online and hybrid counterparts.

 

Yeah, I've done grad credits in the classroom, and online, and personally I don't see much of a difference. I think in the future, people won't care at all whether you got your degree online or not.

 

I remember flying over New Mexico the pilot made an announcement that,"we are flying over some pretty country today. Pretty ugly, pretty desolate and pretty boring."

I personally wouldn't say I have a "MAIS". MA, Masters or Master of Arts should suffice. Secondly, tell them New Mexico is beautiful country. It's up to you if you want to get into the distance learning thing. The school I went to should pay me a commission for all the students I referred to their distance learning Master's program!

 

If asked, I tell people I earned a PhD online.

My for-profit online doctorate helped open doors for me:

Shawn Ambrose's Success Story - 20@20 for Capella University's 20th Anniversary - YouTube

Dr. Shawn Ambrose | Keith Busse School of Business & Entrepreneurial Leadership | University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana

 

I did my degree at Troy University completely online, Southern Methodist University was 30% on campus while living in Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and 70% via distance learning. Georgetown University's degree was completely on campus, and currently working on my Ph.D at Nova Southeastern University is a hybrid program. Therefore, I would not bring up anything about distance learning/online degree unless specifically question about it. I have nothing to hide, but there are still people criticize about distance learning/online degrees. Some might think it is inferior than on traditional (on campus) one. I also try to avoid any institution without b&m campus for my degree.

 

I agree! By graduating a school with a B&M campus, the topic of online learning rarely comes up!

 

Most people are still very ignorant about this topic. If you complete a degree on campus at a school like University of Phoenix, Devry, or Kaplan, most people will assume you attended online.

I do have to admit that it does help that I got my master's degree from a B&M university in Texas. Even though San Angelo is hours away from San Antonio, people assume I attended school on campus. I have never been to San Angelo, and my degree program is not even offered on ground. If asked how I liked San Angelo, I don't hesitate to tell them that I attended 100% online.

I almost wanted to laugh when a former coworker asked me if I was afraid that my online degree from TESC would make it difficult to find a job. Not only were we working in the same department, but I was in a higher paying position. I have since moved on to an even higher paying job, and he's still in that same position with his B&M degree. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but it's very easy to shut someone down quickly when you bring up that you're in a funded, ground, PhD program at a traditional university. Since I have more education than 90% of the U.S. population, almost everyone I come across has less education. So, if someone looks down at my online degrees, all I have to say is, "Are you in a PhD program? Do you even have a master's degree? Oh, no? I thought so. Boo, bye!" Okay, I don't actually say that, but it would be nice to.

 

Awesome Dr. Ambrose, I really enjoyed the first video a great deal!

 

An "accredited" degree is first and foremost in my mind. Times are certainly changing and there is greater awareness of the quality of non-traditional pathways in learning. I would at least make an attempt to attend commencement ceremonies and buy a T-shirt!

 

Many people also assume that all for-profit colleges are either unaccredited or NA. I read a promising study that showed that young people have much less of a bias against distance education. No offense to the older generations, but I think that once the millennials and some of the young Generation X-ers take over top positions, most of the stigma will be gone. However, I don't think the bias against for-profit colleges is going away anytime soon.

 

Is the glass half empty or half full? That still means that "about half" think it is not as good or worse!

 

There are still those who think men didn't land on the moon, but, or course, it doesn't change the facts.

 

I did 3 years on a "normal" campus and finished a degree online. I don't mention where my actual degree is from nor do I say it was online.

 

Wait a minute...are you telling me that men actually landed on the moon???? That wasn't a hoax??? :shocked1: