Online Master's Degrees: An Inside Look at Convenience and Challenges
The rise of online education has revolutionized the way we pursue advanced degrees, making opportunities more accessible to countless individuals. However, for many, the convenience and flexibility of online learning can be overshadowed by concerns about the quality of education and the potential for academic misconduct.
The Experience of an Online Master's Degree
My wife's experience pursuing a Master's degree in Nursing online provides a candid and insightful look into the realities of online education. The process was shockingly straightforward and lacked the traditional elements of teaching and mentorship that one would expect.
The curriculum involved merely following the syllabus, reading designated chapters, posting the required minimum number of comments on the discussion board, and writing a paper. There were midterms and finals, but no live lectures or substantive feedback from the professors, many of whom were adjuncts earning a few extra dollars in their spare time. If a student had a question, the only response might be a delayed communication from the instructor, if at all.
The Graduate-Level Statistics Course
The most peculiar aspect of this online program was the statistics course, which had a unique setup. While most of the other courses did not have streaming lectures, this course did. However, the lectures were conducted by a lecturer from a Social Sciences department rather than a Nursing faculty, which raises questions about the specialization and relevance of the instruction.
There were weekly quizzes and a final exam, which could be taken multiple times until the desired grade was achieved. The material was basic and did not extend much beyond the introductory statistics course from my undergraduate days, which I took over a decade ago. The professor in the streaming lectures was even less accessible, as a graduate assistant (GA) was running the course. The identification of the professor was so unclear that we were unsure if the lecturer was even alive.
Academic Integrity and Delegation
While the lack of personal interaction and traditional educational rigor is a cause for concern, the most disturbing aspect of this experience is the ease with which online degrees can be obtained through dishonest means. I know someone who has a colleague who earned her Master's in Nursing (MSN) by having another person complete the entire program on her behalf. This "other person" had already completed the same program and simply resubmitted papers with minor changes to bypass plagiarism detectors. Discussion board comments were also recycled, and for this, a fees was paid to the individual.
The Ease and Convenience of Online Learning
The overall experience of an online Master's degree is far from challenging. It can be accomplished while wearing pajamas and fuzzy bunny slippers. Students can complete an entire degree without ever meeting or speaking to a professor or cohort members. It is so easy that some even opt to have someone else take the courses for them.
For those who prefer not to physically attend the hooding ceremony, the diploma is simply a blank piece of paper, or it can be mailed directly to them. There is no need to sit through the graduation parade or attend a boring speech. All the student needs to do is show up for the ceremony to present the diploma, which they have achieved in a rather straightforward way.
Conclusion
While online Master's degrees offer the convenience and flexibility that many students desire, they come with significant risks. Universities must take steps to ensure that the quality of online education matches that of traditional programs, and that academic integrity is rigorously maintained. As the demand for online education grows, it is essential to address the challenges and ensure that these degrees are both valuable and legitimate.