Glenn Keels ⋅ Austin, TX Hewlett Packard ⋅ 18 years experience

With all due respect to Jannie and Kerri - I believe we still do value them differently. Especially if the degree is from a well known online university. However, many established universities have on line programs that an employer would not be able to discern. Let me give you an example. If I have two candidates, one with a BBA from University of Phoenix and one from Univ of Maryland, while both degrees might have been earned 100% on line, I personally would view the UofM candidate slightly higher. It's perception since the UofM had its roots in a traditional university setting. I wouldn't let that dissuade you though. No matter what, higher education is absolutely essential. Couple that with your military experience and you're a much greater potential asset to an employer.

Tim Sullivan ⋅ North Kingstown, RI PepsiCo ⋅ 31 years experience

This is a good discussion, however most comments are opinions from folks who didn't live through the choice of on-line vs. on campus. In My 30 year career (with the same employer) I moved my family 12 times, in the US, EU, and UK. Getting an MBA from a campus was out of the question. Working 50-60 hours per week and moving made that impossible.

I graduated from the University of Phoenix in 1996. While an MBA was not required it gave me new knowledge, skills, and confidence. It definitely aided my career progression, enabling me to move into the executive ranks, where my pay more than doubled over the next three years.
Going to a physical campus eats a lot of time, limits flexibility, has a lot of hidden costs etc. Today I am a Trustee, Executive Board member and serve on an Advisory committee, for the School of Management, at a brick and mortar campus. The faculty at the UoP had more real world experience, and were much more entrepreneurial, and less (career) politically oriented.

If one has the time, money, and flexibility to dedicate to a brick and mortar campus, go for it. If you need to earn while you learn, you can not beat an accredited on-line program. In the long run it is more about your job performance and decision making than how you got your degree.

Jennifer Laszlo ⋅ New Hyde Park, NY MTP Auto Leasing & Services Inc ⋅ 30 years experience

When writing the education section of your resume, make sure you include that you earned your on line degree while serving active duty in Afganistan and DG. Any good HR person will recognize your strong motivation and dedication to task and see it as a positive. It also gives you a good topic of conversation during an interview that let's you show off some of your best attributes without bragging.

Chris Shoemaker ⋅ Lexington, KY U.S. Army Reserve, Specialist ⋅ 1 years served

I would agree with Glenn that degrees from brick and mortar universities are more highly regarded. Being a member of a HR department, I can definitively say this with the utmost confidence. However, not everyone has the bias and a great resume and interview can overcome the bias quite easily.

Ken Sheppard ⋅ Hillsborough, NJ Johnson & Johnson ⋅ 25 years experience

Tough question to answer since so many factors go into the hiring process. In the unlikely event that two candidates have identical resumes, except for their degress, a degree from a traditional institution may be more highly regarded than one from an online institution. However, I think the institution only matters if you are hiring a new/recent college grad. For me, once someone has been in the working world for a few years, their degree (what and from where) falls fast on the priority list. I am much more interested in what you have done lately. What have you accomplished? What responsibilities have you held and how successful were you in meeting them? What results have you produced? How have you continued your training and development since completing your formal education? Finally, for me, military service trumps college degree almost every time.

Sheryl Wragg ⋅ Ada, MI General Dynamics ⋅ 30 years experience

I have hired many people over the past 20+ years and although now I would not automatically pass over an applicant with an online degree, I would consider that something to "overcome" in the interview. Definitely a disadvantage to me -- strong preference for a traditional degree. I like to see a history of teamwork and interaction that would be much more likely with a traditional university.

Andrew Karp ⋅ Sonoma, CA Sierra Data Science ⋅ 20 years experience

Please read this article about online "universities" and veterans: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_46/b4203026910225.htm from Bloomberg Business Week.

Also, take the time to watch this 2010 documentary "College, Inc." from Frontline/PBS about for-profit colleges: http://video.pbs.org/video/1485280975/

And, read the US Government Accountability Office's report "Experiences of Undercover Students Enrolled in Online Classes at Selected Colleges" at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-150 . For an in-depth look at how for-profit institutions engage in questionable recruiting tactics, see the GAO's report "Undercover Testing Finds Colleges Encouraged Fraud and Engaged in Deceptive and Questionable Marketing Practices" at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-948T . That page also includes a link to videos taken by undercover investigators during "recruiting" sessions...would be funny if the stakes were not as high as they are.

In general, most employers do not give much weight to degrees from online for-profit schools. If an online program is your only option, you owe it to yourself to enroll in a program from a "real" school with a "real" reputation and not a for-profit entity that is mainly concerned with rewarding its investors with handsome financial returns.

John Kalusa ⋅ Alpharetta, GA Scientific Games ⋅ 10 years experience

Always a great question, always interesting to read the answers.....

I'd say "it depends"..... depends on the position you are applying for, the company you are applying to etc. If you are at a stage where you are deciding still, think first on where you want to get to, what you want to do... then reach out to your network, here at ACP and others and find people that work for the companies or types of companies you want to work for and ask...

Aaron Gray ⋅ Chicago, IL Skills for Chicagoland's Future ⋅ 6 years experience

Yes, on campus degrees are more highly regarded than online degrees due to the competitve nature of those programs. The harder it is to get into a program, the more prestige it carries. Greater prestige often translates to richer professional opportunities over the course of your career.

Kerri Baxter ⋅ Jonesborough, TN Alcoa ⋅ 8 years experience

Michael, I agree with Jannie that online degrees have become more acceptable. Accreditation is key. Also, it depends on the degree or type of career you are pursuing as well. For example, teachers, nurses and some higher level leadership positions business may still have some stigma attached to the online programs. Many traditional campus schools offer online classes as part of their degree programs so often it is not visible to the hiring company if your degree was earned online or in the traditional manner.

Ann Martin ⋅ Pittsburgh, PA Duquesne University ⋅ 10 years experience

Hi Michael,

Great question! And a lot of great answers!
I find that some employers will value a degree from a well established brick and mortar university over one that is less known or known only as an online presence. As several have already mentioned, accreditation is very, very important. I have been part of the military education team at a well established private University in the tri-state area (Pittsburgh). Our program offers both online and on campus classes and we have hundreds of graduates with either a bachelor's or master's degree. Our school not only specialized in adults starting or returning to college, but we have a strong sub-section of military and veterans with a dedicated support team. A large percentage of the military students are active duty and are not able to attend locally. Even local students sometimes prefer the online format, especially convenient when there are drill weekends to schedule. Other advantages to a well-regarded school are both the career services and networking. It is quietly known that a ring from our University can open doors. Schools that are well established brick and mortar schools can have strong alumni associations and networks, often seeking fellow alumni to hire. I noted some discussion regarding the online distinction on a transcript/diploma. Because our rigorous curriculum is no different based on format, there is no distinction made on the transcript/diploma. And finally, it is good to seek a military friendly school that offers personal support to active, transitioning, and veteran students. Our Program offers large scholarships for our military populations making a strong degree from a great school very affordable. Good luck and keep the questions coming!

Athan Tsakonas ⋅ Granbury, TX Energy Future Holdings ⋅ 16 years experience

That's a very pertinent question. If your targeting a specific employer you may wish to ask them who they accept degrees from (or don't). My younger brother ran into a snag in this area and it cost him the job. In the nuclear power industry, Thomas Edison and Exelsior are two of the most common on line programs targeting the industry although I have seen and used University of Phoenix.
In Texas we have the Virtual College of Texas. You register with a college and then you can take an on line class from any of the participating state schools and all of your transcripts go to your college of registration. I finished my degree this way. I had classes from local/junior colleges all over the state before I was finished. I knew I was getting education from an established accredited system that would be recognized anywhere.
Good luck

Michael Calonita ⋅ New Hyde Park, NY U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Second Class ⋅ 5 years served

First, I wanted to thank you all for such great responses to my question! I greatly appreciate every single one of you for taking your time to give me a detailed response. I have taken each answer to heart and will do the best I can in my upcoming transition.

Taking everything in, I now have a small follow up question to ask. Like many service members deployed overseas, finishing your degree online is the only choice we may have. How can this be portrayed positively to an employer (resume or interview) who may have a strong opinion between the two types of degrees?

Paul McKeon ⋅ Chicago, IL Aon ⋅ 33 years experience

For your first job out of the military i believe the Brick and Mortar Degrees have an advantage. Also if the interviewer went to Notre Dame and the applicant as well it is tough to over come that connection.

Yet, a solid resume that an employer can read and understand can overcome some of this bias and when you get the interview you need to close them. A Brick and Mortar degree is not answering the questions you are. So as I tell my ACP Proteges -- plan, practice and execute. In the interview you need to tell them why they should hire you and in doing so you explain how your military experience and training can be applied to the position. Most employers do not know how to "read military" so explain to them how your skills apply by example.

I am also struck by how many people (military and non-military) come to an interview (first job) not really knowing what the company does. My company is the largest global Insurance broker in the world and the best they can do is "you are in insurance and ....". I drill into my Proteges to study the website and google the company, senior officers, news and what is there stock price. You need to look and act like a professional and if you do you will be treated like one regardless of where you got your degree.

Todd Halverson ⋅ Fort Campbell, KY U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 20 years served

I agree with Tim. I have seen in my job search that most businesses do not care if it is a brick or online college. Depending upon what experience you have to go along with the degree is the key.

Dan Theno ⋅ Green Bay, WI Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (HBPA) ⋅ 30 years experience

Usually, yes. Get a degree from a traditional college if you can.

Douglas Lavelle ⋅ Chatham, NJ Financial Services ⋅ 24 years experience

I recently graduated from an online certification program from an accredited university. I also have a traditional in person degree. I must say the online course were challenging (in a good way) I do believe there is probably a bias amongst some interviewers, but I would think that has changed and will continue to change in the positive for the future. Thank you for your service. Best regards- Doug

Christine Alcorn ⋅ Lockport, IL Addus Home Care ⋅ 20 years experience

I received my masters on line because of a very demanding workload. I don't feel it has ever caused me difficulty in job searches. I list it in the same way I list other credentials and no one has ever said anything. Accreditation is the think you need to watch. Make sure your on line school has it.

Jacqueline Berg ⋅ Gilford, NH self-owned business ⋅ 8 years experience

Another issue to consider in your state: if your occupation that you are obtaining education for, requires a license (for example, Licensed Mental Health Counselor), you will need to check with the licensing board to see if they accept an online degree. I am from New Hampshire. They absolutely would not accept an online degree when I was working toward licensure. I understand this is changing rapidly in states, but may still be an issue in your particular state.

Prem Shanker ⋅ Bentonville, AR Walmart Stores, Inc. ⋅ 18 years experience

For most positions and most employers, the answer is a clear "NO".

The value of network built during traditional degree programs is way over-hyped. In reality, it is not a differentiator. You are better off saving money doing online programs at your own pace and convenience. Just make sure your online degree is from an accredited program.

Frank Bailor ⋅ Middletown, DE DuPont ⋅ 30 years experience

Yes. We value them less...but hard work can overcome this difficulty once employed

Vivian Hwang ⋅ Flushing, NY Richard Fleischman & Associates ⋅ 2 years experience

Online degrees are actually regarded favorably, but only if it's from a reputed university, like Villanova University, where I got my certificate in cybersecurity management. If it's from an obscure association that few have heard about, or that you just saw an online ad for, then it's not worth paying for, because those places are for teachers/professors trying to make extra money for themselves.

Fouad Malik ⋅ Los Angeles, CA ⋅ 7 years experience

Getting an on-line degree is certainly better than getting no degree at all. Working towards a degree shows an employer that you are open minded and willing to learn new skills. As you are willing and open to learning, employer will be more likely to take a chance.

If you are deployed overseas and enrolled in an on-line degree program, it per se show the employer that you are motivated, disciplined, willing to learn and improve your skillset. You may mention on resume that degree was on-line and you earned it while you were deployed. I think it will look good on you. Generally speaking, once you go for an interview, many other factors come into play. These may include whether HR/ Hiring Manager likes you, interpersonal skills, interest in position, positive attitude, willing to learn, background, experience etc. So it is more than just education or experience. On-line degrees alone should not screen you out of selection process. However, you should be able to demonstrate that your KSA's are at least similar to those of individuals who got degrees from traditional school.

As a word of caution, purpose of education is that you learn subject-matter for which you are enrolled. If after obtaining on-line degree you do not learn that subject-matter then that is an issue. Similarly, I see lot of traditional private schools offering degrees but quality of education in those schools is poor and those students graduate with little knowledge, skills or ability. So be careful on which school you choose. There are schools out there (both traditional and private) who view education as a money making business. Additionally, another consideration may be the subject-matter you will be studying in the school. If you are obtaining an IT Degree on-line, you may be missing on hands-on part of IT Training which pretty much makes degree useless. In case of some business programs, purpose of these programs is also to develop you team, communication, leadership, management and related skills which require class interaction and group work. Quality of classroom discussion is also an important part of learning for adult learner which may be missing in on-line degree programs. Also if on-line degree program does not have strict admission criteria then you can assume that quality of students may be very average and those entering these program may not be able to contribute towards quality classroom discussion.

Gary Whidby, CPA ⋅ Conyers, GA Gary D. Whidby, CPA ⋅ 28 years experience

All things being equal, the traditional degree from a well respected public or private university system will provide a competitive advantage over an online degree. That being said. rarely are all things equal. Many factors will be considered in the final decision in the hiring process. Education is just one of those many factors.

Luis Diaz-Benitez ⋅ Dallas, TX ⋅ 16 years experience

Hi! I must disagree with most of my peers. In my experience, degrees do not say whether they were earned on-line or at a brick-n-mortar classroom. The employer may suspect is an on-line degree and may ask, (most likely will not). It is up to you to disclose the info. I recommend that if not asked, do not volunteer. University accreditation is important, make sure it has all the accreditation, and the best accreditation for the field.

Jane Greenwald ⋅ Short Hills, NJ Gilbert Tweed International ⋅ 30 years experience

Yes. But that is changing. And after the first job, it won't matter

Tom Arnaiz, CISA, CISSP ⋅ Richmond, VA IBM ⋅ 12 years experience

I have read many great opinions in response to this question. However, having experience as a hiring manager in several companies in the past, I would have to say that it really depends on industry and company specific preference. My experience has been that I have seen more Brick and Mortar graduates come across my desk than those from online degrees. However, as one respondent stated, if you focus on a school that is accredited and has a well known brick and mortar presence, the question may not even come about on whether the education was online or traditional, since it is assumed.

The keys in my opinion are the following:
1. You have a degree
2. You have the history of military service (meaning that the bias towards an online vs. Brick and mortar becomes less critical)
3. What kind of company are you applying for, and how can you leverage your military and educational experience to fit their needs?

Overall, I think education is key, some companies have more bias towards brick and mortar vs online, but the most important key of all is YOU and how can you portray your experience and education to fit the needs of your ideal employer.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me!

Joan McCullough ⋅ Diamond Springs, CA Marshall Medical Center ⋅ 40 years experience

Health Information Management (HIM) programs are frequently on line. These programs prepare you to become HIM supervisors, managers and directors. they also prepare people to become clinical coders which is a very lucrative field. A couple of online HIM courses on the West Coast are given through Santa Barbara City College and Sacramento's Consumne River Junior College. I'm sure there are other courses. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA.org) can be of great help.

Kendra Thomas ⋅ Raeford, NC Southern New Hampshire University ⋅ 4 years experience

With more and more adults seeking to advance their careers, without having the option to leave their current place of employment, it is a more accepted way to attend college while working full-time and taking care of family. You would be amazed to know how many top level executives not only push their employees to attend online universities, but who have also attended college online themselves. With anything, you want to do your research, and make sure that the school is accredited, and has a solid curriculum.

David Moore ⋅ Spokane, WA Realtime Associates ⋅ 35 years experience

Depends on the employer. I've taught both on-ground and on-line. Personally, I would value the on-ground degree higher because of the face-to-face interaction between faculty and other students. It also depends on the school. Beware the diploma mills that only want your money. Ask around. Google "complaints about "school name..""

Good Luck

Dave Moore

Sheryl Hall ⋅ Spring, TX U.S. Air Force, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

I agree that online degrees are more acceptable today however, I would be sure to check state requirement for any designations you may be wanting to acquire. I am currently needing to retake classes I took online due to a state mandate for CPA testing. I completed my accounting degree through CTUOnline due to living in a remote area of West Texas. I completed my degree and then subsequently moved to Houston. I went to apply for a Masters Program in Tax and first needed to compete the GMAT (which isn't an easy feat when math hasn't been studied in some 20 years) and then after further review with the Texas CPA authority, they require 5 upper level accounting courses must be completed within a traditional classroom setting. This has really made it difficult for me to move forward until I complete these courses in that manner. Just something to consider when doing Online.

Mileda Golloshi ⋅ Norwood, MA Liberty Mutual ⋅ 7 years experience

Michael,

Online degrees are very much acceptable. In the industry that I work I have noticed young entrepreneurs that have been working here for some years and they want to move up the ladder but they are so busy with work and private life and this method has shown successful. Also the online classes are constructed in a way that requires more work from the student as suppose to the classroom ones. You are in constant contact with your professors and as strange as it sounds a lot of times in classrooms you might end up in a big auditorium and the professor might not even know who you are. In other words online education prepares you just as well as classroom education so I would not see why companies will not accept a great candidate that has an online degree.

Craig Bush ⋅ Boston, MA IBM ⋅ 11 years experience

Depends on the job. But, I have to say... "yes."

LINDA REYNA ⋅ San Antonio, TX WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY ⋅ 7 years experience

Michael,

Depending on the institute, an employer may not even be aware that you attended an online school. However, I have to agree with the majority. Attending on campus is not just more highly regarded but I believe students get a lot more out of their education. I would suggest you might find a school where you might be able to take classes face to face and online. Our university is now offering hybrids (50% face to face/online) which seems to give the student the best of both worlds. The key is to find the institute that fits your academic and personal needs.
Sitting down with an advisor will help determine your fit. I find most employers are really looking for employees that can hit the floor running. So, as Mr. Thompson says "blow them away" in the interview. Prepare yourself by researching the company before the interview. Another recommendation I make to my student is while they are working on their degree, use that opportunity to research your career goals. Find out what obstacles you face in that field and how to overcome them. Research trends!
Good luck!

Gregg Thompson ⋅ Louisville, KY UPS ⋅ 32 years experience

Michael, for the most part having the degree regardless of where or how you got it is most important. Again, for the most part it will get you in the chair for an interview but even just working towards your degree if you have plenty of real world experience will also get you in the chair. My degree was earned through a combination of Online, Virtual Online, and Traditional Classroom work which is very common especially for us military folks. Best advice I can give is to Blow them away at the interview regardless of your degree, lack of degree, etc.! Gregg

Chandra King ⋅ Dayton, OH OSHA ⋅ 15 years experience

I don't think it matters much anymore. Just make sure you attend an accredited university. Some universities' diplomas do not distinguish whether you completed your program online or not. So on your resume, you don't have to mention that you completed an "online" degree. Just list the school and the name of the program you completed. For some employers, a degree just a box that needs to be checked. What matters more is how you conduct yourself during the interview and demonstrate how you can be an asset to the company.

Tom Wonica ⋅ Staten Island, NY Moelis & Company ⋅ 17 years experience

Although I feel online degrees are becoming more accepted, there will always be a view by some that they are not as qualified as conventional means of attending a college or university. The problem is, it will be tough to know how the degree will be viewed until after your interviews with a potential employer. I think it also has a lot to do with the university as well. Many top tier universities now offer some form of online program or a hybrid program that replaces 100% classroom time. As a suppliment, there are also very effective online courses that are free of charge. Stanford University has this offering. I sat in on an online course on Cryptography just to get the experience and i found the coursework very effective. (http://online.stanford.edu/)

JK R T ⋅ Brewster, NY 21st Century Fox ⋅ 13 years experience

I think it depends on the job. In my field, where you learned your skills doesn't matter, only your body of work counts, as well as your personality.

If you are seeking a career where education credentials are important, then for me, I would choose what I could afford. If online is all I could afford, at least it's a start. Maybe my resume wouldn't get recognized as quickly as from a top tier University grad, but it's better than nothing. Timing and who you know also really play a big part. Networking is huge. So I would get involved in anything related to my field.

Marc Newsome ⋅ West Monroe, NY CSX Railroad ⋅ 6 years experience

Not really but try the GI Jobs website for employers who value Military Experience

Loretta Carter ⋅ Sugar Land, TX HCA ⋅ 9 years experience

Hi Michael,

There is another option to consider. There are blended programs available. They have the majority of the classes online and parts of it are in the classroom. I am currently in a program like that and when it is over your diploma is not considered an online diploma. You might want to check that type of program out.

You get the best of both worlds that way. The convenience of taking classes and doing the coursework when you schedule is not so busy and you get to network and really connect to your campus and instructors and fellow students.

I hope I haven’t muddied the waters too much with that answer. Please reach out if you have any questions and good luck with your search for the perfect position.

Thanks,
Loretta

Steve Menzel ⋅ Princeton, NJ Bristol-Myers Squibb ⋅ 14 years experience

Hi Michael,

One thing you can do to neutralize a concern about holding an online degree with an ambition to do a masters is to get your grad degree from a college/university that is not a branded online school (e.g. Phoenix). Your masters degree will be your education headline, even if it is in progress.

I also support the comments above that it is more about the content of the role you are looking for and the applicable experience you have toward it. As a hiring manager, I'm more interested if you have the qualifications of the job I need you to do versus where you got your undergraduate degree. Make sure your resume reflects those qualifications and you're solid.

Best of luck in your research and don't hesitate to reach out with follow-up questions.
Steve

Samantha Keefe ⋅ Boston, MA AVID Technical Resources ⋅ 10 years experience

Hi Michael
From our experience in IT, online degrees are very rarely penalized. It would be odd not to embrace the technology in the field that uses it. As to your follow-up question, I'd say you could consider putting a bullet under your degree and noting that online education was necessary due to your service. You might also consider making some connections with your online professors and getting recommendations from them if you feel they can say something spectacular about you as a student. This could assuage any fears about academic experience/abilities. Good luck in your search and if you or anybody you know are considering IT jobs, check AVID Technical Resources out at www.avidtr.com. We are more than happy to help you find your dream job.

Frederick (Rick) Wilhelm, Ed.D ⋅ Pleasant Valley, NY Chappaqua School District ⋅ 40 years experience

Hi Michael,

If you had a choice, I'd recommend an on-campus experience over an online degree. However, with your deployments, that may be impossible, so the question is: Is a degree online better than no degree? It most definitely is! Most employers are going to focus on your skills and personal qualities in their decisions. I'd also recommend that you get as many certifications that you can related to your field.

Leslie Scouras ⋅ Houston, TX Hewlett Packard ⋅ 16 years experience

Michael,
All good comments posted above and as expected hitting both sides of the fence! There are many circumstances that lead one to pursure a degree at an online institution. My own circumstances, family, finances, work related travel etc, left it incredibly hard to pursue my degree at a traditional institution. After a lot of research (this is essential) you will find that one key element to success in choosing this path is accreditation. Not everyone has the luxury of time and/or money to go the traditional route - and as mentioned above - those lines are blurring as more and more traditional brick and mortar institutions are offering degree plans fully or partially online.

My current employer, whom I have been with for more than 16 years embraces the benefits of online education; understands the circumstances that can influence that choice, and even paid for my courses at my online institution. I agree that the type of degree pursued can be a factor that could negatively influence an employers judgement, for example a tech company would likely lean towards a traditional EE dregree versus one from an online institutiuon. But I've had no issues with justifying my BS in Business Management from an online university in my current position or even in recent interviews.

The comments about skills and how you can relate them to the job and the one about certifications are spot on. Being able to show transferable skills is essential and certifications, depending on your field of study, could help to enhance any degree you might get from an online university.
Good luck.

Bob Theroux ⋅ Hudson, NH ⋅ 30 years experience

I believe they are looked at differently. With that said the larger companies look at new employees that have degree's from full time school as an entry level as a plus (they do take the online degrees as a plus just not as highly regarded) but after you have had some years of service in that unit they look at the online degree's as inititive and development.

Barry Cravens ⋅ Louisville, KY UPS ⋅ 30 years experience

I can tell you my company does not view them different and I work for a large Fortune 100 company. My company also views certifications like the PMP, PgMP, RMP, etc in a positive light.

Philip Hoy ⋅ Wylie, TX U.S. Coast Guard, Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 20 years served

Michael,
Adding to the comments made, it has been my experience that the stigma of an online degree is most heavily directed to the well-known for profit schools. My advice would be to thoroughly research the school you might attend, ensure it is fully accredited, and the degree earned will suffice for your intended career field. I would also suggest enrolling with a school which is nonprofit and has a brick and mortar venue as well. I completed my BS completely online while on active duty at Excelsior College and was accepted into graduate school at the University of Texas after my retirement (completed and MS and an MBA). Though I do not have any direct evidence I believe most people viewing my education would not be aware of how I earned my BS degree, not being familiar with the school from countless advertisements.
If I can be of any assistance please let me know.
Phil

Mardon Navalta ⋅ Dallas, TX Farmers Insurance Group ⋅ 10 years experience

In a highly competitive business environment, I recruit only the best, so online would ONLY be acceptable if classes are taken at the BEST reputable online universities, AND enrolled concurrently during active duty, as well as, obtaining a GPA no less than 3.85.

James "Jim" P. White ⋅ Las Vegas, NV GPP Air Hospitals-747/757 International ⋅ 3 years experience

No,What really seperates the candidates is the philanthropic energy charity index or volunteer time one has shared hands on, withn the resume. Online study is far more accepted today than in the 80"s, 90"s. In fact i'm a grandpa, back on-line with a univ logician platform in Scotland. Best wishes in your journey vet. Jim. Lasw Vegas, Nv. .

Robert Theriault ⋅ Umatilla, OR URS ⋅ 5 years experience

As you can read just from these post there are still some old school people that don't understand online colleges. But many are moving out. I have seen that most companies that require a degree will at least accept the degree and let you prove everything else. All the recruiters at my site would not hold it against you. But just like the difference between Harvard and your local state college there will still be some prejudice amongst some recruiters whether warrented or not.

Christopher Ahlberg ⋅ Holtsville, NY Recorded Future, Inc. ⋅ 15 years experience

Great question. People are getting more open minded about online education (clearly most education include lots of computer/online/whatever sort of stuff these days, so it's not really black-and-white any more) but I would probably still be skewed towards old-school university to begin with.

Now - if you are in a situation where classic college/university education is tough to make happen (job, family, overseas, etc) - then online is certainly a great alternative - and I'd try to make it one where there are real-world interactions in the program, and make sure to network with students, companies, other academics, etc. as much as ever possible through program to make it a "wide experience".

Randy Harris ⋅ White Hall, AR ⋅ 10 years experience

It really depends on who the degree is from. There are some large name online 'for profit' universities that I really would not give the time of day to. As long as the program is acredited by a Major organization I will consider a candidate. The key difference is the folks that I consider with Ph.D's or Doctorates. I heavily lean towards the Brick and Mortor Universities. If they do not require 'seat' time for a Doctorate, the degree is not worth the paper it is printed on.

Jeff Cook ⋅ Barrington, NH Liberty Mutual ⋅ 10 years experience

Do employers view degrees earned online differently than degrees earned on campus? Yes.

Does this change for undergraduate versus graduate degrees? No.

Steve Knight ⋅ Evansville, IN Alcoa ⋅ 25 years experience

Major corporations do not recognize degrees or certifications unless they issue them. An eample would be Microsoft. Smaller companies do and they typically they pay better than large corporations.

Joe Buhajla ⋅ Fayetteville, AR Alcoa ⋅ 15 years experience

Many standard campuses are offering online degree programs. Go with one of those rather than somewhere like University of Phoenix. It will set yourself appart from others on your resume.

Jannie Gardner ⋅ Montgomery Village, MD URS ⋅ 22 years experience

Several years ago, yes. But, with the number of people who are working and working on an on-line degree at the same time it is becoming much more acceptable. Please make sure that you are checking any higher education institution for accreditation, though.

This is the link for the Department of Education’s site. http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/