Bachelor of Commerce (Digital Marketing) - Postsecondary ...

Historically I have felt that a university B.A. shows that they can work independently. My
perception is that colleges take everybody and will graduate everyone.
Simply because of the existing perception that a university business degree holds more validity.
There is no track record for college degree graduates yet.
Online Delivery
While the majority of Employers did not perceive online degrees to be any different from other degrees,
one‐third said they would view the candidate’s qualifications differently (Figure 25).
Employers often explained that as long as the student did the work, it would not matter how they
earned their degree. Some Employers pointed out that completing a degree online demands some
specific skills of the student, such as self‐discipline and time‐management. A few Employers indicated
that they would be comfortable with online components to a degree, as long as it was combined with
some classroom interaction.
The bottom line is that they got the marks, they got the degree and they did the work.
They are still getting the same type of instruction just a different format. Online still requires
skills such as time management.
Maybe they didn't have travel money, maybe they have kids at home to look after…there could
be several reasons. If they completed the course I wouldn't have anything against them.
I think among more mature employers there is a greater acceptance now. Kind of like how online
dating is becoming more socially acceptable over time, online degrees are having the same
increased acceptance.
Online degrees did not measure up in the eyes of all Employers. Some considered the lack of
interpersonal interaction in a classroom to be a major disadvantage. Several felt that online standards
were lower, and that online degrees do not provide appropriate mechanisms to ensure whether the
student did the work on their own.
A combination would be good. You need self‐discipline for the online portion, but you need the
interaction and feedback from the classroom interaction as well.
Employers still value personal interaction and classroom time. There is still a mistrust of online
degrees. There needs to be at least a blend of in‐class and online.
If it is a combo of online and in‐class there is a lot to be said. There are many different learning
styles and some people absorb material really well from online. My only concern is that they are
lacking interaction.
I hate to say this, but I don't think they get the same education without face‐to‐face interaction. I
think you get a lot out of group work.
Pay Differentials
Finally, Employers were asked if they would offer different rates of pay based on whether the degree
was earned at university or college. They were also asked about pay differentials between three‐year
advanced diplomas and four‐year college degrees.
LKSB Degree Program Feasibility Study • 2011
218