Imagine this: you’re scrolling through social media and you see an advertisement for an online degree. It seems like a pretty good deal. You can take classes around your own schedule and learn at your own pace. But then you start to wonder: Are online degrees taken seriously by employers?
It would be easy to just tell you “yes, online degrees are taken seriously!” But in reality, there are some pretty important details we need to talk to you about. It’s valuable for you to understand the differences between a degree issued by a brick-and-mortar school where the content is delivered online vs. a degree issued by an “online college.”
On the one hand, you’ve got for-profit institutions, which are focused on financial dividends and the needs of stakeholders. In this instance, not all schools are viewed in a favorable light. For example, some employers may elect not to hire candidates with degrees issued by for-profit institutions, believing they focus more on revenue earnings over student learning.
In addition to looking at whether or not a school has a good reputation, it’s important to also make sure the school is accredited. Nonprofit universities – which can be either state-run or private – that are regionally accredited have to meet rigorous standards in areas like finances, governance, faculty, student services, and more. For-profit institutions that are accredited are often checked by different organizations with different standards.
Now, let’s dive into the rise of online learning, the perspectives of employers, the significance of accreditation, and the undeniable benefits of degrees earned in an online format.
The Increasing Popularity of Online Degrees
Over the past few years, online learning has become more popular. You may have noticed universities across the nation responding to the demand by offering remote courses and programs.
Brick-and-mortar schools have added online learning options for a good reason. Let’s consider the numbers. In Fall 2021, 26% of undergraduate students were exclusively enrolled in distance education courses. This is up from the 15% who were enrolled in online-only courses in 2019.
But why is this mode of learning so appealing? While there are numerous reasons, the two we’ll focus on in this section are flexibility and convenience.
Online learning means you don’t have to drive to campus, find parking, sit through class, and then drive home. Your time will be much more flexible.
Take UTSA Online, for example. Here, you’ll enjoy 100% online classes. You’ll have deadlines for each class, but you’ll get to work around your other daily responsibilities and complete those assignments whenever is most convenient for you.
The best part is that you get the flexibility of an online degree, but you’ll have the same teachers and experience the same rigorous courses as UTSA’s in-person students. And the best of all: your degree will be from The University of Texas at San Antonio. There is no difference between a UTSA degree earned attending in-person classes and 100% online classes.
Institutions like UTSA Online have worked tirelessly to make sure you’re getting a quality education, which makes online learning more attractive than ever.
Finding an Accredited Online Degree Program
We’ve talked about the increasing popularity of online learning, so next let’s explore credibility.
The legitimacy of a degree earned online depends on the accreditation and reputation of the institution. It’s important to distinguish between reputable institutions and those that are not as highly regarded.
Accreditation means a school has been reviewed and meets specific quality standards. When you’re looking for a degree program that offers online learning, make sure to focus on the schools that have reputable accreditation.
Fortunately, at UTSA Online, you won’t have to worry about that. Since you’re earning the same degree as UTSA’s in-person students, you can rest assured that UTSA is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and takes the success of its students very seriously.
The organization has also accredited schools such as Baylor University, TCU, Texas Tech University, and the University of Texas, among others.
UTSA’s 100% online programs were also ranked by U.S. New and World Report in several categories in 2024:
- #1 – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in the UT System
- #1 – (tied) – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in San Antonio
- #1 – Best Online Master’s in Engineering Program in San Antonio (Facility Management)
- #1 – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans in the UT System
- #2 – Best Online Master’s in Engineering Program in San Antonio (Facility Management)
- #3 – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans in Texas
- #39 – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans in the nation
- #57 – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in the nation
And remember, at UTSA Online, you’ll earn the same education as our students studying on campus. Your diploma will not specify that you learned in an online modality. It will simply celebrate your degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Advantages of Online Degrees
There are so many benefits and advantages of online learning. Remote learning was built for modern learners like you, so it has become increasingly popular over the past few years. We’ve already touched on two benefits of online learning: flexibility and convenience. This flexibility will empower you to create your own schedule and study at your own pace.
Independence
With 100% online courses at UTSA, you’ll be in charge of your time. You’ll have due dates for your assignments, but whether you’re a morning bird or a night owl, you’ll be able to work on your courses whenever it works best for you.
This will also help improve your time management. You won’t have a teacher reminding you in class about assignments, so you’ll be able to come up with a system that works best for you to manage all your responsibilities.
World-Wide Access
Another advantage is that you can access your courses from anywhere you have an internet connection, which means you can attend a program like UTSA Online from anywhere in the world. This accessibility opens up so many opportunities and allows you to pursue your educational goals no matter where you live.
Financial Savings
Another significant advantage of online learning is its cost-effectiveness. We go more in-depth about the costs of an online degree vs. a traditional education in a previous post, but here are a few costs you won’t have to worry about with when you’re learning online:
- Commuting expenses
- Campus housing/campus meal plans
- Amenities you don’t need
At UTSA Online, you’ll pay one flat rate based on your program. There is no out-of-state tuition, so whether you live in Texas or somewhere else, you’ll pay the same rate.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, when you’re considering an online degree, it’s important to evaluate the credibility and reputation of the institution offering the program. Accreditation plays a big role in ensuring a degree is legit.
At UTSA Online, you won’t have to worry about the legitimacy of your education. We’re fully accredited and renowned for our commitment to academic excellence. And remember: while your learning modality will be fully online, you’re earning the same degree from the same faculty with the same rigor as all UTSA students. And your degree won’t say “online.” It’ll say “The University of Texas at San Antonio”!
The advantages of a 100% online degree speak for themselves. By opting for this flexible mode of learning, you’re not just opening doors to academic advancement. You’re unlocking a pathway to your career goals, too. Are you ready for your journey of educational growth and achievement?
Are you interested in learning about UTSA Online’s Programs?
UTSA Online offers several 100% online programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and post-graduate certificate programs. Explore all our programs to find which one is right for you.
If you are ready to start your career path, contact UTSA Online’s Undergraduate Enrollment Team at 210-458-4000 or onlineenrollment@utsa.edu, or the UTSA Online Graduate Enrollment Team at 210-458-4400 or onlinegrad@utsa.edu.
