M.E. asked this question in LinkedIn's Answers:
"Are degrees earned through distance learning comparable to degrees earned from full-time study on campus?"
Here is my response (which was selected as a "Best Answer", which is why I'm posting it here):
"In general, speaking professionally as an employee of a popular
online education website, and personally as a online master's
degree-seeking student, I would say "Yes!"
However, a more well-rounded answer is: it depends - primarily on the field of study and the level of degree.
Currently, most degrees offered via distance learning are in business,
computer and information sciences, and education. However, though the
interest in and market demand for distance education is high and there
is definitely a strong financial motivation for all schools, especially
public institutions who today face decreasing financial support from
the state, there is great resistance from certain fields, such as law
and medicine. Although it seems unfair (and even hypocritical since I
am an online learner), even with the innovations in virtual reality,
would you want to be operated upon by a surgeon who earned his degree
via distance learning? Other fields who several years ago might have
had similar objections, such as teaching or nursing who face
conspicuous shortages of qualified professionals in their fields, have
since relented and begun to offer programs online.
The next facet to consider is the level of the degree. In the
example of nursing, you can find online RN-BSN and online MSN programs, which are
designed for already licensed nurses. The most basic level of training,
usually a LPN or LVN diploma, still takes place in a traditional
setting. Same for Education - most Education degrees currently being
offered are at the master's level.
Another example is a distance learning Ph.D. program: anyone
wishing to become a tenured professor at a regionally accredited
university or college will, unfortunately, find difficulty landing such
a job with a Ph.D. (the standard credential) earned online.
In closing, it's problematic to unilaterally compare all online
degrees to all degrees earned traditionally, face-to-face, on-campus.
There is going to be great variation in quality among online degree
programs, just as there is differing a great variation in quality,
perception, cost, etc. among traditional degrees.
A small community college serves a vastly different population than an
Ivy League university. One must decide what his or her ultimate career
goal is and whether or not a degree helps to fulfill that goal.
If you decide that an online degree is right for you, I invite you to search accredited online degree programs at eLearners.com!"
(Sorry for the shameless plug for eLearners ... but it had to be done!)