Website Review: EarnMyDegree.com
I’ve been asked to review a website offering online degree programs called EarnMyDegree.com. This website contains one of the most comprehensive learning center about online education and e-learning I have seen so far.
EarnMyDegree.com’s online education topics covers pertinent questions that many of us have about online degree programs, including the the pros and cons of online colleges versus traditional schools. The benefits are what we can expect – including the convenience of an online education and cost savings. However, I’d like to see the statement, “Do online degree programs really measure up to their traditional four-year counterparts? All evidence seems to indicate that the answer is “Yes.”" be supported by evidence or testimonials that suggest the case.
The learning center also discusses the perception of online degrees from an employers point of view, admitting that employers still have reservations about such degrees, but that perception is beginning to shift. Again, I’d like to have seen some testimonials from big employers or some statistics to support this shift in perception, because this can be confirming for prospective enrollees whose reservations with online programs come primarily from the perception of these by prospective employers. This is not a trivial point considering the motivation for most working professionals to enroll in professional development programs is as a part of their own career development.
The Career Information section contains basic information about the value of education as well as useful lists like job growth estimates, job earnings, fastest growing jobs, and hottest job markets. There are also additional information on specific careers that are offered by the site’s affiliate online schools, such as accounting and criminal justice.
One of the most useful checklists on the site is information about school accreditation and how to spot fake degrees. I’ve gotten spams that promise doctorate (MD and PhD) diplomas, but I’m sure there are more sophisticated scams out there that can mislead people into believing that they can really buy a degree or earn one for minimal effort. This is a useful page to read.
To compete in today’s environment, professional development is a requirement. Sometimes earning an additional degree can make sense, and for a subpopulation of working professionals whose job demands or resource limitations preclude them from enrolling in a traditional degree program, online degree programs can be a viable professional development option.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored review.
No. 1 — March 20th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
After taking online courses at UMUC, I don’t think employers value 99% percent of online degrees.
In computer science, the exceptions would be Columbia’s online effort, USC’s online and *maybe* UIUC’s effort.
And if the word *online* appears anywhere on your degree, forget it.
It says something that this is a sponsored review. I think a non-sponsored review would have been appropriately meaner.
No. 2 — March 21st, 2007 at 4:21 am
I’m not sure about the immediate dismissal of an online degree. I’ve seen it on more than a few middle-management resumes, especially those who do not have the backing of their employers to reimburse tens of thousands of dollars in tuition. Denigrating online degrees may come across as condescending to those professionals who choose to pursue an online degree for whatever reasons they hold.
That said, I have my personal biases about online degrees; my doctorate comes from a “traditional” institution and at one time, I’ve looked seriously at online law degree offerings that has become popular, and ultimately did not opt to pursue (I had enough of school and could find other ways to challenge myself). However, the purpose of a site review is not to speak solely from my personal bias, but to discuss what may make sense and what needs further evidence.
Thus, to address your sentiment that I should have been “appropriately meaner”, I think aiming not to bias one way or another is the appropriate goal: I focus on what I liked about the site, which are the resources. I question the site’s statements about the benefits of online degrees by asking for evidence and proof.