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With the explosion of communications and technology innovations worldwide, more entry-level jobs requiring a combination of post-graduate education and experience ,and a tendency towards changing careers regularly, it isn’t surprising that distance learning is becoming more common.
More people are gathering online rather than in classrooms to obtain undergraduate degrees, Master’s degrees, certificates and diplomas.
But distance degrees are nothing new. In 1858, Queen Victoria created the University of London External Program, enabling students outside of London to access university education. In the 1970s, Nelson Mandela studied towards a University of London LLB while incarcerated on Robben Island.
Today, the University of London and a plethora of other universities offer degrees that can be completed online, with papers submitted by email, live discussion groups and exams written in partner universities. Students all over the world can obtain these degrees without leaving home, while raising their families and without quitting their job.
But is distance learning as good as a traditional degree?
I’ve been asking myself that question since I started studying toward an MSc in Sustainable Development through a University of London partner university – the School of Oriental and African Studies. I started in 2008 and have only one year left, after which I will have written a thesis and received my diploma without ever having visited SOAS or met my professors.
Looking back, many circumstances pushed me towards choosing this study path. I had recently graduated from McGill University and had a good job.
I knew that in order to move up, I would eventually need a Master’s degree, but was unwilling to quit my job and go back to being a student.
Not only did I love working, but I thought that work experience was just as important as extra education and couldn’t decide which to choose – so I did both.
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While there is definitely something to be said for the on-campus experience, I think most of us get over that once we’ve completed our first round of post-secondary education. I think when I decide I’m financially able to further my education, I will work and do distance ed at the same time as well.
As for the legitimacy of distance degrees, it will definitely be a grey area for some time. Degrees from already reputable schools will obviously do the best, and I wonder if it’s even necessary to state on your resume or in an interview that you completed your degree from the other side of the world?
Hi Cassandra,
It’s good to know that you are also considering this option. I just wanted to comment on your last sentence – I think that we definitely have to state where our degree was completed. In one interview I did last year, I was asked where SOAS was, and I explained that it was in England, after which I explained that I was doing distance learning and how that worked. A degree is not worth much, in my opinion, if we can’t say what university it’s from!
I definitely agree, but I don’t think it’s necessary to make additional mention of the fact that you did it via the Internet right on your resume.
Over the weekend, I attended a presentation by Jeff Zabudsky who is the President of Red River College. One of the themes Jeff talked about was the importance of distance learning–a field he is one of Canada’s leading experts in.
The discussion got me to thinking about the nature of today’s workplace and how we are becoming increasingly more web-based with home offices becoming more of a norm. Distance Learning teaches many of the traits required for today’s distanced working environments: http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/09/16/traits-of-a-successful-web-worker/
Thanks for writing this article, Eleonore
I am glad that you wrote an article about distance degrees, because my interest is to obtain an online bachelor degree at a Canadian University.
I have a diploma from a canadian community college and will like to further my education, but I really don’t have any knowledge about online distance university education.
I have some concerns about the questions below; anyone is welcome to respond.
How do I know if the online university is accreditied?
How do I know if the online/distance degree is equivalent to a regular bachelor degree?
Can I apply to teachers college with an online/distance degree?
Where can I get more information about online/distance University degrees?
Can you provide a list of online/distance accreditied Universities in Canada?
Thanks for your assistance.