Are Online Environmental Science Degrees Legit?

If you're looking to earn your environmental science bachelor's degree online, you may wonder whether online degrees are legitimate and respected by employers.

Online environmental science degrees are legitimate and may even be highly respected as long as they come from a reputable, accredited university.

Keep reading to learn more about this topic.

Do Employers Respect Online Environmental Science Degrees?

Online degrees are becoming more common in every field. As technology advances and more schools begin offering these programs, more college graduates will be entering the workforce with online degrees.

Environmental science degrees can lead to a variety of environmental science professions, and in most cases, employers will respect your online degree as long as it's from a legitimate school. Many reputable colleges and universities offer the same degrees to in-person and online students, so employers may not even know the difference.

That said, some employers may still prefer candidates who have had hands-on experience as part of a campus-based program. Working an internship during or after graduating from your online program can give you a better chance of landing these types of roles.

What To Look For in an Online Environmental Science Degree Program

As noted, it's important to choose a reputable school for your online degree. Let's look at some important factors to consider.

Accreditation

All schools offering legitimate, respected degrees are accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Examples of these organizations include the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission.

Reputation

A school's reputation can depend on its accreditation status, number of available programs, graduation rate, average GPA, and various other factors. Choosing a well-known school with a reputation for academic excellence is important in your quest to obtain a respected online degree.

Nonprofit Vs. For-Profit Degrees

Nonprofit schools are thought to be more reputable than for-profit institutions; the former focus more on improving their academics while the latter are most concerned with earning a profit. Generally speaking, it's better to choose a nonprofit school; however, many for-profit institutions also offer legitimate and highly flexible degrees.

Graduation Rates

Choosing a school with a high graduation rate can be beneficial. This is because higher graduation rates can indicate a school has a top-quality curriculum and plenty of student support options in place.

Differences Between Online and Traditional Environmental Science Degrees

There are a few key differences between online and on-campus classes, despite the degree being the same.

Online environmental science degrees mostly or fully consist of online classes. These courses are usually asynchronous, which means they don't have set class times and you can complete them on your schedule.

Traditional programs, on the other hand, are completed mostly or fully on campus. Students attend classes at set times throughout the semester.

Online classes are often offered in eight-week sessions, while traditional programs usually follow the traditional 16-week semester format. Traditional programs offer more opportunities for student and faculty interactions, whereas online programs typically offer more flexibility.

Benefits of Earning Your Environmental Science Degree at an Online School

Studying online has many benefits, especially for busy adult students trying to juggle various responsibilities at once. The ability to study anytime and anywhere makes it possible for these students to balance their education with work, family, and any other commitments they may have.

Online education can also benefit those who want to progress through their studies more quickly. Accelerated programs are often available online, and shorter class sessions often allow students the freedom to take a heavier course load and finish sooner.

Finally, for students on a budget, online degrees can provide an affordable online environmental science degree alternative to traditional programs. They often feature lower tuition and fewer fees. Students may also save on tuition and boarding costs if they can study from home and don't have to live at or commute to school.

Featured Online Environmental Science Degree Programs

Let's take a look at some high-quality online schools offering environmental science degree programs.

1. Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a large public school known for enrolling many of its students in flexible online degree programs. The school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Students can pursue several environmental science degrees online, including:

• Bachelor of Science in environmental sciences
• Bachelor of Science in environmental economics and policy
• Master of Science in environmental sciences
• Professional Science Master's in environmental sciences

2. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona offers hundreds of degrees and certificates through its on-campus and online programs. Its accreditation comes from the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Two environmental science degrees are available:

• Bachelor of Science in environmental science
• Master of Science in environmental science

3. University of West Alabama

The University of West Alabama is a regional public school that offers some of its graduate and undergraduate degrees online. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Two undergraduate environmental science degrees can be completed online:

• Bachelor of Arts in environmental sciences
• Bachelor of Science in environmental sciences

4. Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private school. Located in Delaware, many of its programs can be completed online from any location. Its accreditation is through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Consider pursuing one of the following environmental science degrees online:

• Bachelor of Science in environmental science and policy
• Master of Science in environmental science

5. American Public University

American Public University is an online-only school offering flexible, affordable degrees designed for nontraditional students. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Two environmental science degrees are available at this school:

• Bachelor of Science in environmental science
• Master of Science in environmental policy and management