Online, Christian Students (Inside Higher Ed)

[Lenitus]

<p>"The question facing universities looking to compete in the booming market for online higher education is not so much how to do it, but how to distinguish themselves from the rest. In this, Christian universities appear to have a built-in advantage. And many are seizing the opportunity to expand their footprint."</p>

<p>News:</a> Online, Christian Students - Inside Higher Ed</p>

[biglawhopes]

<p>One specific drawback to the rampant growth of these online programs, especially at Liberty University, is the online degree’s worth is exactly as that of the traditional degree program. This, unlike the Harvard Extension School, or other similar programs, where your degree is specifically from So and So University Extension School or XXXXX University “Online,” cheapens the degree of said university (as directly shared from alumni acquaintances and Liberty transfer at my university).</p>

<p>While not everyone thinks of this when they are 18 and beginning university, I have had a few friends decide on attending elsewhere less akin to a degree mill (some to prominent grad school adcom’s suggestions, some to parental concerns).</p>

<p>This isn’t to offend those who have worked through these programs (and I know Liberty grads from both traditional and online degree tracks) but I can’t imagine not being infuriated when at the end of four plus years my degree cost twice as much (and was an entirely different experience) than the identical one in the hands of someone who paid half and had an entirely different experience.</p>

<p>There’s nothing demeaning about finishing one’s education online, but there should be some type of recognizable distinction, as both degree tracks are significantly (not just by price) different.</p>

[pandem]

<p>

“Given the relatively strong religious character of much of the U.S. population, and an ever more crowded online market, the schools that are faith-based in some strong sense” have an advantage over others, the majority of whom have built “more generic programs that don’t have any strong affiliation with a demographic group or belief system,” says Richard Garrett, an online learning analyst for the consulting group Eduventures.

</p>

<p>Not sure how that gives them an advantage. With that line of logic, they’d have an advantage in the brick-and-mortar world.</p>

<p>

“There’s a built-in market of folks who say, ‘Is there somewhere in the virtual sphere where I can send my child where they can transition directly from a home-schooled environment into a collegiate environment and never leave the home?

</p>

<p>Unless the main advantage is appealing to these scary people. In which case, uh, sure?</p>

[RageRoolz]

<p>Ummm…I disagree with this article. While there is still many people of faith is the U.S. that number is falling and will continue to fall. Will christian schools grow? I think so, but just because of the increased push towards a college degree. The logic is very fuzzy, just like biglawhopes pointed out</p>

[westisland]

<p>Thank you for your answer</p>