The Value and Acceptability of an Online Degree in Hiring Gatekeepers’ choice for Employment in the Multimedia Production Industry
Abstract: Due to its flexibility and convenience, online education has become an alternative for students looking to obtain a degree. Although online courses and programs have their benefits, there is still ongoing debate on issues related to credibility, quality, value and acceptability among stakeholders. The current study focuses on one group of stakeholders-hiring gatekeepers. Specifically, the objective is to explore the value and acceptability of an online degree as a credential for employment among hiring gatekeepers in the multimedia production industry. Study results indicate a slight and positive shift in the value and acceptability of online degrees when a hiring gatekeeper has had a personal experience with online learning. Overall, hiring gatekeepers still tend to favor applicants who have earned degrees by enrolling in face-to-face courses as against online courses. This trend exists even when the online degree is obtained from a reputable traditional college or university.
Presider: Anne Parrella, Tidewater Community College