Penn State Distance Learning Article

Can You Find A Job With a Degree From A Distance Learning Program?

Odds are, if you are thinking about taking a distance learning degree program, you are doing it to further your career, or get your certification needed to start down a completely different career path. Either way, you need to make certain that the degree you earn from distance learning comes from an accredited, reputable school, or some employer’s may not be willing to accept it, and may look over your resume, no matter how good your grades were. Yes, you can find a job with a degree earned from a distance learning program, but there are some things that can make it much easier for you to do so.

It is hard to definitively answer the question about distance learning degrees, as it does depend a lot of the distance learning school that you earn your degree from. If you earn a degree from a distance learning school that isn’t properly accredited, then odds are, you are wasting your time, your money, and your effort. It is extremely important to do your homework before choosing a distance learning school, especially for those who are seeking a degree or certification that can be used for career advancement.

Most employers will accept your degree if it comes from an accredited institution, even a distance learning program. Be careful, however, as some distance learning schools are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, which doesn’t hold to the high standards as the six main accreditation agencies do. Do your homework, and don’t just believe that the distance learning school you have chosen is accredited without finding out for yourself.

Different employers view distance learning differently. Some believe that you still learned and were tested on the information, so that they have no reason not to hire you or accept your degree. Others think that all distance learning programs are a sham, and that you don’t know anything that you claim to, and may even refuse to hire you, until you obtain a degree from a local university. Again, it really does vary. You have no way to really know what potential employers think of distance learning degrees until you apply and go in for an interview.

When you fill out your resume and applications for various employers, list your degree, and the organization you obtained it from, but nothing further unless you are specifically asked. Some employers may not even associate the school name with a distance learning degree, and if they don’t out right ask, you aren’t really required to tell them.

Just be well prepared before you go on job interviews, and do your best to impress, without dwelling on where your degree came from. You are really trying to impress your employer with your current knowledge and attitude, not with the name of your school. In most instances, your end result will depend solely on you, and how you conduct yourself during the interview. So, keep that in mind when you go job hunting with your distance learning degree!