Online Grad Can Earn a Doctorate, Not a Master's Degree

Choosing a properly accredited online school matters, even if you plan on earning multiple degrees. The accreditation of your bachelor's degree program can make a difference for years to come.

I recently received an email from a college graduate who has been rejected from master's programs but accepted to doctoral programs. Here's how his story goes: Steve earned a bachelor's degree from DETC accredited California Coast University. He went on to earn a master's degree from a brick-and-mortar school, Cabrini College. Steve decided to enroll in a second master's program. But, he was rejected from Florida Tech Online because his original bachelor's degree is not from a regionally accredited school.

Steve says:

"I meet the requirements for any doctoral program in the country but I cannot be considered for a master’s online. In my opinion, the reason the DETC accreditation is not equal to regional accreditation is that California Coast University and Southwest University do not have ground programs. I believe the negative perception out there is that if the distance learning school does not have a ground program then the education they’re providing is valued the same as a traditional program."

This graduate has since enrolled in an doctoral program and is excited to start at a new school. There are a lot of online learning options out there, but Steve's example illustrates the importance of planning ahead when choosing a program.

See Also:
Check Any College's Accreditation