The key to the acceptance of online degrees is still up for debate. There’s no doubt that when it comes to online education, it’s necessary to go to an accredited school in order to have your degree considered valuable. But what will it take for your online degree to be considered fully legitimate?

Since, at last count, almost 4 million students were enrolled in at least one online course, the issue of online degree acceptance is an important one.

The MBA: the Online Degree Barometer

As far as most business leaders are concerned, the importance of accreditation goes double for online MBAs, and most employers want their MBA holders to have degrees from the best schools. In fact, most elite schools are not interested in offering online MBA degree programs because the “online” delivery is considered a tarnish to their good name, or “brand.”

Enter Jack Welch and His New Online MBA Degree Program

At least one Wall Street wonder disagrees with that philosophy, however. One powerful businessman who sees a critical need for online MBA degree programs is Jack Welch, the colorful former CEO of General Electric. He is opening the Jack Welch Management Institute at Chancellor University, a for-profit school that will offer both online MBAs and traditional, on-campus MBAs.

With his admittedly impressive knack for making (tons of) money, his personal management philosophy, and some heavy hitters in the education and management worlds, Mr. Welch is determined to create a program that produces quality online MBA degrees that are widely acceptable. Capitalizing on his well-known brand name, Welch seeks to take the online education world by storm.

Accreditation, Schmaccreditation! He’s Jack Welch

The Jack Welch Management Institute gives many naysayers the opportunity to say nay, particularly since the school is not accredited by the premier accrediting agency for business education, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Nor will its students be required to take the GMAT or have an off-the-charts GPA.

This begs the question, should accreditation be the one key to the acceptance of online degrees… or can brand name trump accreditation in the acceptance of online degrees?

Personal Stamp, Shmersonal Stamp…Show Me the Accreditation!

Sure, Jack Welch grew GE’s market value by $400 billion dollars in his 20 years there and now he’s worth a gazillion dollars, but are these acceptable qualifications for developing and teaching legitimate online MBA degree programs? Will Mr. Welch improve the acceptance of online degrees by making it so personal— or harm it?

What’s the Key to the Acceptance of Online Degrees? The Debate Continues…What Do You Think?

So what do you think? Do you believe formal accreditation by a recognized agency is the only way to increase respect for online degrees? Or are you sold on the idea of a successful businessman’s brand and experience as qualifications for teaching MBA curriculum online?

Or is it neither, or both, or that online degrees will eventually be accepted by some other route?

What do you think is the key to the acceptance of online degrees?

Find an Online Degree Program.