How to Defend Your Online Degree

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Guide to Online Education

Our comprehensive guide addresses what online education entails, what online learning options exist, how to select the best online education for your needs, and much more.

In designing the "Guide to Online Education," we worked closely with online students, graduates, professors, and online learning experts to collect practical information to help you succeed in online learning.

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How To Reference This

eLearners.com. (2007). Guide to online education. Retrieved 7/6/2008, from the World Wide Web. http://www.elearners.com/
guide-to-online-education/.

How to Defend Your Online Degree

Guide to Online Education > Online Education Trends > Hot Topics in Online Education > How to Defend Your Online Degree

In the grand scheme of higher education, online education is relatively new. Like anything nontraditional, some people may be unfamiliar with online programs and a little skeptical of the value of a degree earned entirely online.

As a graduate of an online degree program or as a current student, you may have to explain your reason for not enrolling in a "traditional" brick-and-mortar program.

Whether you are discussing your resume with a prospective employer or chatting casually with friends and family, here are ten talking points you can use to defend your decision for earning your degree online.

I know how to take initiative and stay motivated.

You may find yourself in front of an interviewer who believes that online degrees are easier to obtain and require less work than campus-based degree programs. This is an opportunity to highlight the time and personal effort that you invested in order to obtain an education.

Consider how much initiative it took for you to start your online degree program as well as the endurance, discipline and self-motivation you needed as you worked towards the completion of your degree. Remember, excelling in an online degree program illustrates your initiative and drive.

I have excellent reading comprehension skills.

Online learning depends a great deal on reading text and understanding. Most online students see a marked increase in their reading comprehension through the process of obtaining a degree because they are constantly using these skills and practice makes perfect.

You have learned to read text online and convey the meaning from your readings in short summations or comments (what you do in discussion postings or chat rooms). These skills transfer directly to the work environment where keeping up often means reading and comprehension.

My online degree program helped me develop a strong work ethic.

You've spent a few years taking courses online, you've set up a schedule and for the most part followed it regularly. You have learned to work hard and keep things in balance. You understand the value of a job well done and the sense of satisfaction you get from doing it without being recognized in real time. Your commitment to your learning is totally driven from within, so you can truly say you have a strong work ethic.

My online education skills are directly applicable to the work environment.

Think of all the skills you have gained from being in an online degree program. You had to learn, practice and develop many new skills, such as: computer skills, information literacy, researching, writing, time management, and reading comprehension.

Graduates of online degree programs are often self-reliant and can master new software rather quickly; are especially good at navigating the Internet; and a strong work ethic. These skills have direct importance to a company. When organizations are evaluating potential employees, they look for the ability to learn new skills, time management, communication, and you have succeeded in all these areas.

I succeed in diverse environments and work well with others.

Most people are used to working with others face to face. After taking courses online, you have learned to work with others in a whole new way.You have learned to work with a host of differently skilled people: some know how to use a computer; some are just learning; some need extra help. You've learned to work around other people's schedules when working to complete a group project. You've learned to respect other people's time by refraining from excessively emailing your professor. You've practiced patience with your team members, your classmates, and your professors since you couldn't shoot up your hand and be recognized immediately. And you have probably experienced a whole host of different cultures, abilities and backgrounds in the class, which has added fairness and culturally awareness to your repertoire.

If you encounter any negativity or bias against online degree programs, you should still be proud of your accomplishment. Earning a degree online tests your ability to adapt and succeed in a different environment and once you do that, it's easy to apply those lessons to any new situation.

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How to Defend Your Online Degree

Table of Contents

Find an Online School

Guide to Online Education

Debt-Free College Guide

How To Reference This

How to Defend Your Online Degree

How to Defend Your Online Degree

I know how to take initiative and stay motivated.

I have excellent reading comprehension skills.

My online degree program helped me develop a strong work ethic.

My online education skills are directly applicable to the work environment.

I succeed in diverse environments and work well with others.