Avoid Falling for These 10 Online Education Myths

Find the Truth About Online Learning

Some people are skeptical about online education, but experts say prospective online students shouldn't trust everything they hear.

Find out what to believe when it comes to online education on topics ranging from perceptions among employers to transferring credits to and from programs.

Myth 1: The quality of teaching is lower.

Online learning requires professors to communicate differently than they would in a traditional classroom, but that doesn't mean the overall quality of instruction is lower, Ramin Sedehi, then director of the higher education consulting division at the Berkeley Research Group, told U.S. News in 2015.

In some cases, the teaching might be even better online. Faculty at certain schools might also have to undergo a process to ensure that they understand the academic standard their courses must meet.

Myth 2: You can't transfer credits to and from an online program.

Transferring credits to and from online programs generally isn't any more difficult to do than it is for credits earned on campus, experts say.

Students might encounter problems transferring credits regardless of the format, especially with for-profit schools and certain types of programs or courses, one expert says. When looking at different institutions, prospective online learners should compare the number of credits they will be able to transfer, and consequently, how much time and money they might save.

Myth 3: Employers won't accept online degrees.

When online education was new, many employers were more hesitant about job applicants with online degrees. But that perception has changed over the past few years, recruiters say.

Today, employers are more likely to ask online degree holders about their ability to work in a team setting and their program's accreditation.

Myth 4: Cheating is more common in online programs.

Experts say that while cheating can occur in online classes, it isn't any more likely to happen than it is in a physical classroom.

Online instructors often use tools such as plagiarism detection software to prevent cheating or require students to take tests at physical locations. In those cases, students might also need to show proof of identification and take other verification measures.

Myth 5: Tuition in online programs is always less costly.

While online education might initially seem cheaper than traditional learning given that students don't have to pay for room and board and other on-campus fees, that isn't always the case, experts say.

Officials at online programs say faculty costs -- along with tech support and campus services for online students, for instance -- might cancel out the savings. Prospective online students should look into what fees they would have to pay before selecting a program.

Myth 6: Online education is easier than traditional learning.

Pursuing a degree online isn't any easier than doing so on a physical campus -- it's just a different type of learning environment, says one expert. This is especially true at reputable institutions.

Prospective online learners should be aware that online classes do, however, require more self-direction than face-to-face courses, and at least as much time spent studying each week, experts say.

Myth 7: You can't meet with an instructor.

Despite being unable to meet with a professor in person, many online courses allow students to interact with instructors in various ways, experts say, whether it's by phone, email, Skype or other videoconferencing options. Some instructors hold weekly office hours online or allow students to ask questions during live chat sessions.

Myth 8: Online students can't get federal financial aid.

In most cases, the process for getting federal financial aid is largely the same for online and on-campus students, experts say. Some online programs even have opportunities for federal work-study.

Prospective online students should first ensure that their programs of interest are deemed eligible to receive financial aid by the Department of Education, so that students can receive federal funds.

Myth 9: There are many scholarships available strictly for online students.

With some exceptions, few schools offer scholarships open only to online learners. Some scholarship providers are still hesitant about online learning, Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of Cappex.com, a website connecting students with colleges and scholarships, told U.S. News earlier this year.

Still, at many reputable universities, it's rare that a scholarship would be restricted to on-ground students. Prospective online learners should ask about scholarship opportunities in general, rather than those just for online learners, Susan Aldridge, president of Drexel University Online, told U.S. News last year.

Myth 10: Online classes aren't accredited.

A lot of online programs are accredited, though this varies among institutions, experts say. Accreditation verifies that a program meets certain educational standards, and many colleges and universities won't accept transfer credits from schools that aren't accredited.

Prospective online learners can use the Council for Higher Education Accreditation's list of recognized accrediting bodies to determine the situation for schools of interest.

More on Online Degrees

Get more advice on applying to online degree programs on the Online Learning Lessons blog, and get our complete rankings of the Best Online Programs.

For additional advice and information on how to navigate online program admissions, connect with U.S. News Education on Twitter and Facebook.

Jordan Friedman is an online education editor at U.S. News. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at jfriedman@usnews.com.