earnyourbusinessdegreeonline.com is a website that looks very suspicious with two external links. One of these links refers you to Fiverr.com for essay writing services. Presumably, you will need that to fulfill your college application. The second link is internal and leads you to a page that is copied from Columbia Business School’s official admission website. The third link is a dead-end external link.
Their homepage, about page, and contact page are also filled with placeholder texts. There is no information available. The website creator only seemed to download a digital marketing website template and call it a day.
So, as to how legit this website is, we have no reason to believe in its credibility. Although the information provided about Columbia Business School MBA program is the same as their website without any edits and alteration, there is no reason to get your information from earnyourbusinessdegreeonline.com. You can directly check the admission sites of your desired schools.
How To Spot Fake Online Degrees In USA
Online degrees are only getting popular with each passing year. It is no wonder that almost every university now offers online programs. However, there are some scammers out there posing as fake universities and offering easily earnable degrees. Here are a few ways you can ensure that you don’t get scammed.
- Check Accreditation Status Thoroughly
Ensure that the accreditation status is acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education before applying for any type of degree, certificate, or diploma. You can always get in touch with the accrediting organization and ask for verification if you think a college is feigning certification. Additionally, CHEA offers searchable databases that let students locate certified programs.
- University Name Is Too Familiar
If the institution’s name seems very similar to that of a reputable, prestigious university but has been given additional meaning, you may be the victim of fraud. This is a typical con that would lead you to believe the organization is a member of an esteemed university you know of. For example- if you see a moniker like Brown Technological Online University, the scammers are trying to associate themselves with Brown University to earn your trust.
- The Degree Is Too Easy To Obtain
When an online college claims that you can obtain a degree with little time or work, you should be on the lookout for red flags. One of such scenarios is when colleges promise college credit for employment or military experience. Although many authorized schools and universities use prior learning evaluations, getting credit doesn’t happen automatically. The Council for Adult & Experiential Learning should recognize a college’s prior learning evaluation alternatives, according to experts.
- The Website Doesn’t List Student Services
Students enrolled in legitimate online programs should have access to a wide range of resources, such as library services, academic guidance, and technology help. Students should be wary if there is no proof of these resources or if they are unable to speak with other staff members.
- Be Wary of Upfront Payments
Demanding payment in advance is one indication of a dubious web operation. Make sure you’ve done your homework before investing money. The promise of a good job may serve to offset that financial commitment, but students should be wary. Universities do not compel full payment of tuition; doing so is entirely voluntary. Rather, tuition is typically paid in installments over the course of a year or a semester.
What Do Employers & Hiring Managers Think of Online Degrees
Despite the factual evidence, students could feel insecure about the value of their online degrees in contrast with an on-campus one. But, are these insecurities valid? What are recruiting managers’ true sentiments?
It is mostly positive news for online degree holders.
- 61 percent of HR hiring managers feel strongly that an online degree can be just as effective as one obtained from a brick-and-mortar college.
- In the last year, it was noted that 71% of businesses had hired someone who had an online education.
- Moreover, 52% of HR directors think that in the future most people will be pursuing their degrees online.
- Even more promising is that 33% of recruiters are of the opinion that as technology continues to advance, soon online education will reap better results than an on-campus education experience.
Regardless of whether you completed your degree online or not, 58 percent of employers think that an institution’s brand and reputation is the major driver of a certificate’s worth.
Just 42 percent of companies would accept a candidate with an online degree from an institution that only runs online, notwithstanding any accreditation, whereas 92 percent of businesses view online degrees from physically present schools as desirable. So, what matters most is where you get your degree from. Not if it’s online or offline.
Final Words
earnyourbusinessdegreeonline.com is a scam and so are many other websites that offer you online degrees. Doing your research will protect you from scams. There are many red flags you can spot with a little vigilance.
So, you don’t have to worry too much about being conned. A little mindfulness is all you need to avoid scammers while pursuing online degrees.