Are Online Management Degrees Legitimate?

Online degrees have become far more prevalent, especially in the post-pandemic world, due to their affordability, flexibility, and other benefits. Even with their growing popularity, some students fear that a fully online degree won't have the same respect as one earned in person.

Yes, online management degrees are legitimate if they come from accredited institutions.

Students pursuing online business management degrees can rest easy knowing that an accredited online degree is viewed the same as an on-campus degree.

Are Online Management Degrees Legitimate?

Skilled management is crucial to the success of any organization. Earning a degree in management can prepare you for a career in leadership and management roles.

Many universities now offer high-quality, accredited management degrees fully online. Online management programs offer students a respected degree in a more flexible format.

Learn more about the best management degrees and how to determine if an online management degree is legitimate.

Do Employers Respect Online Management Degrees?

Yes, online management program graduates will earn the same degree as traditional campus-based students.

Many online degrees do not specify the learning format since all management graduates have completed the same classes and earned the same degree.

What To Look for in an Online Management Degree Program

Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating whether an online management degree is legitimate.

Accreditation

Accreditation is the most important factor to consider when selecting any college degree. All legitimate universities should be accredited at the institution level. Regional accreditation bodies ensure that all degrees meet a quality standard by setting guidelines and conducting periodic assessments.

Departments or schools within a university can also be accredited by domain-specific accreditation bodies. Additional accreditations can be a good sign that the department has a strong reputation.

Because many management degrees are housed within a university's school of business, students can look for the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Less than 5% of business schools in the world are accredited by the AACSB, so it is a valuable indicator of legitimacy.

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is another accreditation body for business and management programs.

Reputation

Employers may seek out graduates of management programs that have a reputation for producing high-quality professionals. The reputation of a management program is different from the prestige of the university.

Management programs that have high standards, passionate instructors, and industry-aligned curricula will eventually set themselves apart and may even have won awards in the field.

Nonprofit Vs. For-Profit Degrees

Nonprofit and for-profit universities have different financial structures. Nearly all public universities, and many private universities, are nonprofit organizations.

For-profit universities tend to offer more career-focused degrees. Nonprofit degrees may have more federal funding to support additional majors and programs.

Online management degrees from both nonprofit and for-profit universities can be fully accredited and legitimate.

Graduation Rates

The graduation rate of a university may provide some indication of the support they offer students throughout the degree. Higher graduation rates are a good sign that indicates successful student outcomes and well-designed programs.

Differences Between Online Management Degrees and Traditional Management Degrees

To maintain accreditation, online management degrees must follow the same guidelines as traditional management degrees.

The content and curriculum will be similar in online and traditional management degrees from the same university. Often, the same instructors teach both the in-person and online classes.

Students in online management programs often complete in-person work placements or internships if they are not already working full-time. The medium of interaction is the key difference between online and in-person management degrees.

Benefits of Earning Your Management Degree at an Online School

Earning a management degree online can equip you to manage in the modern digital workplace.

The ability to manage employees and processes remotely is a key skill in the modern workplace. Online degrees will give students the digital interactions they need to learn these skills.

Students who complete an online degree will have a strong understanding of online platforms and content management systems. Online business management bachelor's degrees can increase students' technical proficiency.

Featured Online Management Degree Programs

Here are some highly respected online business and project management degrees selected for accreditation, graduation rates, and program reputation.

1. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is an excellent choice for a respected online management degree. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

WGU offers the following management courses:

• Business Management - BS Business Administration
• Health Information Management - BS
• Supply Chain and Operations Management - BS
• Human Resource Management - MS
• Management and Leadership - MS

2. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is well known for its excellence in online instruction. ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Online faculty are the same distinguished faculty as in-person courses.

ASU offers online management degrees such as:

• Business Management - BS
• Global Logistics Management - BA
• Global Management - BMG
• Project Management - BS
• Project Management - BAS

3. Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University (App State) has earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). App State is a globally minded university with students from over 45 countries and a reputation for student-centered education.

Students can enroll in degrees such as:

• Management - BS Business Administration
• Supply Chain Management - BS Business Administration

4. DeVry University

DeVry University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is well known for its online degree programs taught by faculty with real-world experience in their field. DeVry University supports the success of each student with personalized on-demand tutoring.

DeVry University offers management degrees in:

• Business Management - BS
• Technical Management - BS
• Network and Communications Management - BS
• Project Management - MBA
• Information Systems Management - MS

5. University of Massachusetts Amherst

The University of Massachusetts Amherst's renowned Isenberg School of Management now offers several degrees in online formats. The program has the respected AACSB accreditation, signaling its well-earned reputation.

The program has been awarded the second-best online bachelor's degree in business in the nation and has led many students to career success.

Students can complete the following degrees online:

• Management - Bachelor of Business Administration
• Master's in Business Administration

Find a Respected Online Management Degree Today

Legitimate online management degrees are a great way to advance in your career and progress in any organization.

Find a degree that will help you achieve your career goals and start learning right away by contacting one of these schools or using Learn.org's databases of information to find other schools to contact.