Do employers take online degrees seriously?

For many, education serves as a gateway to new career opportunities and advancements. Understandably, many prospective students want to harness new opportunities but are unsure of whether an online degree will be respected. In fact, there are several quotients that determine the value of an online degree: Accreditation Employers take an institutions accreditation into consideration when evaluating a candidate with an online degree. GCU’s online degrees are fully accredited, helping to ensure that your degree will be taken seriously by prospective employers. University’s Reputation Often, employers weigh the online degree with the reputation of the university. Online classes are designed to provide students with the same quality education as traditional students through our challenging courses and experienced faculty. A student graduating with an online degree from GCU will have the traditional campus’ reputation and heritage as reinforcement for the degree’s credibility. Degree Requirements The scope of an online degree is another critical factor to whether employers or students can take their degree seriously. Does the degree require a comparable amount of credits to other traditional programs? Are a comprehensive number of classes required? If so, employers are more likely to see the value of an online degree and view the online degree as credible.

Can I get a job with an online degree?

One reason for pursuing an online degree is to increase employability and expand career options. An online degree makes career advancement a viable opportunity for the thousands of students earning a degree while working. Whether looking to enter the workforce or find advancement within your career field, an online degree provides opportunity for vocational growth and eligibility. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 170 occupations that require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree for employment. These jobs are anticipated to grow by 10 percent from 2016-2026. A degree from GCU can help equip you for this job growth. The top online degrees for career opportunities are: Business Science, Technology and Engineering Healthcare Criminal Justice Communication

Is an online degree right for my lifestyle?

Over 70,000 GCU students have chosen to take pursue their degree online. An online degree offers students control over their own schedule, empowering students to achieve balance in their personal and professional lives. The online format allows students to forgo the commute in favor of investing time in work, family life and personal goals.

Is an online education affordable?

Our online degrees offer an affordable option for earning your bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree. If you are looking for an affordable online degree, GCU has competitive rates , aiming at allowing students to focus on their education. When pursuing an online degree, students are freed from the financial obligations that accompany some traditional degrees, such as room accommodations or gas.

What degrees can you get online?

GCU offers a large selection of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs fully online in a variety of subject areas. To view our online degrees and find a program that fits your goals, view our Online Degrees page.

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree online?

Online bachelor’s degrees vary in length depending on the chosen program. To view program length, select your desired degree from our bachelor’s program page and view the degree lengths on that page. For more information, contact your counselor or call 1-855-GCU-LOPE.

What resources do I need to complete my online degree?

To complete your online degree, you will need access to a computer, Wi-Fi and a word processor like Microsoft Word. These are necessary to access the student portal and complete your assignments. Some programs may require different resources. Check with your student counselor for specific expectations upon applying for your program.

Online Learning

Many working professionals aspire to attain a higher level of education. Grand Canyon University’s (GCU) online degree programs offer the flexibility you need to get ahead, providing a quality education to help you thrive in today's complex business world. Backed by the legacy of our traditional campus, GCU is an accredited university that stands out from other online education institutions. We also create opportunities to develop and reward the broader educational community through educational alliances.

Get More Information

Loading Form

Online Students at GCU

As an online student at GCU, you will encounter:

Fully Trained Faculty

Benefit from experienced, full-time faculty members and fully trained adjunct instructors committed to your individual growth and success.

Flexibility

Online courses offer flexibility and convenience for working professionals and students with busy schedules.

Affordability

GCU offers a competitive, affordable online tuition rate to encourage higher learning. To view our tuition rates for online courses, visit our tuition page.

Variety

Choose from online degrees in education, business, liberal arts, nursing and health sciences, and earn your bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree online.

Connection

Our online degrees are designed to foster communication and connectivity through discussion boards and projects.

Helpful Resources

Students have access to web-enhanced learning tools through our Learning Management System, including eBooks, forums and helpful calendar reminders.

Interactive Courses

GCU online students don’t have to miss out on the community that comes with a traditional campus degree. Within the Learning Management System, GCU’s online classroom, each course is designed to promote maximum collaboration through open forums. These forums provide opportunities for students to network with their peers and bring together their ideas to complete their projects. As well, students can chat one-on-one with their professor for any additional help they may need.

Available Support

As an online student, you will have access to technical support and academic counselors who will guide you throughout your time at GCU. These resources are available to give you the needed assistance to make your degree path successful. Learn more at support.gcu.edu.

Online Tutoring

GCU is committed to helping you find the academic guidance to complete your degree. Through our Academic and Career Excellence (ACE) Centers, online students can schedule a one-on-one study session with a learning advocate (LEAD) to help you in whatever subject or course you may need assistance with. All you need is your phone and your computer and the LEAD will call you at your scheduled time.

Our ACE Centers are specialized locations that give students a comfortable environment to which they can study and receive the academic help they need. Our LEADs are fellow GCU students who are specially trained and knowledgeable in their respective subject matter.

Technical Requirements for Online Courses

To be best prepared for all assignments, discussions and tests, the following are the minimum requirements for the GCU online classroom:

Desktop or laptop
- Windows 7 or Mac OS X 10.9
Internet connection
- Cable broadband or DSL
Internet browser
- Internet Explorer 11 or greater, Microsoft Edge 13 or greater, Mozilla Firefox 43 or greater, Google Chrome 48 or greater, Apple Safari 9 or greater
Microsoft Office 2008 and Adobe Acrobat 10 or newer

Certain degree programs may require additional software. To find detailed software information about your program, read through our University Policy Handbook. Visit support.gcu.edu for more information about the technical requirements.