How to Defend Your Online Degree

Online colleges and universities who are accredited by an accrediting agency are required to adhere to the same standards (and a few extras) as traditional, campus-based schools. Human resources (HR) departments routinely establish institutional accreditation as a fundamental requirement when evaluating and accepting an individual's academic credentials.

A school's accreditation is an important factor for HR, whether reviewing a job applicant's resume or approving a request for tuition assistance/reimbursement. Accreditation separates legitimate schools from diploma/degree mills. Because accreditation distinguishes your school from a diploma mill, let people know your degree comes from an accredited school!

List all the computer skills you have acquired from your online degree program, including troubleshooting your PC. Highlight the software programs you have utilized, like Microsoft® Office, and your familiarity with posting in forums and discussions, chat rooms, and synchronous meetings. These skills can be directly applied to any work environment.

In a global economy, computers are the lifeline of business, and meetings are often conducted by teleconference, video or web conferencing. Having experience and familiarity with these types of technology can set you apart from your peers. You bring experience from your online coursework and know the various forms of etiquette of these types of communication require. Be certain to highlight your experience in the area of computers, software applications, and related technologies.

Online classes frequently include a group component in the coursework or syllabus. Not only does this allow the students to learn from one another, but it also helps develop a sense of community. Most online students will have had the opportunity to lead an online team. Highlight that experience and the leadership skills utilized in order to effectively lead a team. Most likely, you used a combination of:

Because of your work leading an online team, know that you are prepared and capable of leading in today's business environment, which increasingly must deal with technology and remote workers.