The 2009 Sloan Survey of Online Learning reports that enrollment of students in online courses rose by nearly 17 percent from the previous year. That means that one in four college students are taking at least one online course. Here are top 5 myths about online degree programs:

1. Online credits won’t transfer

   Each school will have its own policy for transferring credits from online courses. It’s the student’s responsibility to research these policies before starting their online or campus courses, to make sure the classes they have already completed is transferable. Usually schools except credits from accredited programs or colleges.

2. Employers don’t recognize online degrees

   Employers realize that online courses require students to be committed, focused, and devoted to online schooling – which are traits that they respect and assume will transfer over to the workplace. Make sure you research the online degree program to make sure it is in fact from an accredited school. Many employers even offer educational incentives like tuition reimbursement or funding for textbooks to take online courses.

3. Online students are isolated

   Students must actively participate in their online courses by interacting in discussion boards, chat-room collaboration, video conferencing, emails back and forth between professors and students, in order to receive credit. Many students are more comfortable participating in online courses rather than in the classroom, as there is a sense of ambiguity.

4. Online courses are easy

   Online courses require a greater motivation and self-discipline from students than traditional campus courses. There are undergraduate and graduate-level courses available, along with associates, bachelors or master’s degrees which are offered from accredited colleges or trade schools. Students are responsible for getting their assignments in on time, and if they miss any coursework, they have a better chance in failing the course.

5. Online degrees are worth less than campus degrees

   Employers are most concerned with the quality of your degree and training, and your job-specific skills. Online degrees programs require lots of reading, online tests, research, discussions, and essays, which may be the same, if not more than what traditional campus courses require. Many campus professors are starting to teach online courses, along with advising their students to take online classes to further their education.

   Online degree programs are becoming more popular, as many people are going back to school to learn a new trade or gain a new skill set to further their careers. More nontraditional students are earning their college degrees from accredited online schools.

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