7 Ways to Find Out If An Online Degree is Credible

 

With the world increasingly depending on the internet for every conceivable aspect of life, education has shifted from the traditional classroom setup. The global e-learning market will reach $686.9 billion by 2030, with a projected 9.5% CAGR between 2022-2030.

But questions like ‘are online graduate degrees credible?’ overshadow the convenience and advantages of online degrees. Hence, verifying an online degree's credibility is imperative before investing time and money.

Tips for finding out the credibility of an online degree

Questions like ‘are online degrees credible’ plague students seeking a digital education. The importance and viability of an online degree are countered by fake institutions misleading people with false degrees. While listing out the innumerable legitimate universities offering online degrees is impossible, taking precautionary steps is easy.

Here are seven ways to answer your question- is an online degree credible?

1. Check the accreditation

The primary criteria for choosing any degree, offline or online, is to check whether the institution offering it has the required accreditation. A fully accredited program or university implies that it is publicly recognized and reviewed by its peers. A university has to pass strict quality assurance procedures to receive accreditation.

Check the institution's official website to see if it has accreditation from a recognized body.

2. Check for reviews from past students

One of the best ways to learn about a university or a specific program is from its alumni. Students post reviews about their universities' reliability and associated factors on Google or education-related websites.

3. Resources offered on the website

Resources offered by any valid online university are clearly mentioned on their website. The official website should guide you through everything from study centers and e-libraries to student support services and related facilities. Missing information or any obscurity could mean the institution is not valid.

Also Read: Selecting The Right Online Course for Career Growth: Do's and Don'ts
 

4. Costs incurred

Compare the fees with other online programs offered by other institutes. Also, check if the university asks you to pay the entire tuition fee upfront. All legitimate institutions provide the option of paying in instalments.

5. Check the admission criteria

Even online degrees demand specific criteria for admission to a course. Lacking any admission criteria could mean it is a scam, provided it isn’t an open university.

6. Quality of curriculum

The learning materials provided should meet quality standards. Evaluate the curriculum to ensure it covers essential topics and offers practical applications. In addition, the course content, objectives, examinations and individual assessment procedures should be clear-cut and well-explained.

7. Job placement post-course completion

Search for information on placement rates after completion of the course. A high placement rate would mean the degree is well-accepted by recruiters.

Also Read: Does Data Science Require Coding Skills?

8. Inquire about the Institution’s Reputation

Investigate the reputation of the institution offering the degree. Built up colleges with online programs tend to have a valid reputation. Look for institutions that have been working for a long time and have a strong track record in higher instruction. Consider rankings from dependable sources like U.S. News & World Report or Times Higher Education.

9. Look at Faculty Credentials

The quality of an online degree frequently reflects the capabilities of its workforce. Examine workforce credentials to guarantee they hold progressed degrees in their areas and have significant proficient involvement. Most educators give workforce bios on their websites, which can offer assistance to survey their ability and the esteem they bring to the program.

Conclusion

The University Grants Commission and the Distance Education Board (UGC-DEB) approved online degree programs from over 50 universities in the 2022-2023 session. Most of these universities come with NAAC accreditation, ensuring the quality of the degree.
If you, too, are looking for credible online degrees from a reputed institution, check out Amity University Online’s various UGC-approved courses in IT, management, commerce, humanities and more.

Online UG Programs:

Bachelors of Art (BA)
Bachelors of Commerce (B.Com)
Bachelors of Computer Applications (BCA)
Bachelor Of Business Administration (BBA)