Are Online Degrees in Technical Writing as Good as Real World Universities?

Hi Ivan,
While I appreciate the intention of this article, I think your attention-grabbing headline is misleading, and focuses on superficial differences in delivery rather than on significant differences in quality. The reality is, as always, far more complex than a headline can encompass. You do however offer your readers an important service here by reporting on the content of various courses on offer.

First of all, I have to declare an interest. I am an Associate Lecturer for Sheffield Hallam University's (SHU) MA in Technical Communication (and a graduate of the same programme). SHU is by any definition a “real world” institution but the MA programme in Technical Commmunication is a Distance Learning course. There are no lectures or seminars, and no attendance is required. Course material is distributed to students all over the world and is supported by web-based discussions, exercises and other activities. However the academic requirements and standards for this course are exactly the same as those of any other MA course offered by SHU.

It is neither true nor fair to assume that “online” qualifications – those offered by distance learning or by using web-based materials – are inherently less good than those offered at bricks-and-mortar institutions. Potential students need to consider a wide range of factors when choosing any course. These include cost, duration, syllabus, the perceived value of the qualification, and the convenience of taking part. Distance learning and web-based courses from reputable institutions offer opportunities to many people who would otherwise be denied access to education. (Disreputable providers do of course operate online, but they operate in the “real world” as well.) These people not only include those who are far away from their chosen institution, but also those who are considering a career change later in life, and who therefore have family and other commitments that would prevent them spending three or more years as full-time students.

In answer to your question about what sort of graduate I would hire, I would say that anyone who has taken the time and effort to study a topic related to their profession in technical writing has demonstrated that they are serious and committed, and that fact in itself would be significant in any hiring decision.

My take: a full bachelor's program, offered by an accredited college that has a quality on-campus program, should be similar in quality whether it's on-line or on-campus.

The so-called “certificate” programs are another story. IMO, they simply contribute to the de-professionalization of technical communication. I might recommend hiring someone with such a certificate, but only for reasons having nothing to do with said certificate.

I agree with David that it depends on the institution, the quality of the faculty teaching the program, the quality of the course materials, and the overall design of the program. Today's technology makes it possible for remote participants to learn as much or more than those attending classes in traditional physical classrooms. If I were considering hiring someone, I'd consider the same things for both kinds of degrees, and I'd look at the candidates' samples and question them about their coursework, and what they are now qualified to do. If I were considering getting an advanced degree, I'd investigate online programs as well as nearby institutions.

Hi Margaret,
If I were considering hiring someone, I'd consider the same things for both kinds of degrees, and I'd look at the candidates' samples and question them about their coursework, and what they are now qualified to do.
So, maybe the problem is who’s doing the hiring. Some HR types may not ‘respect’ degrees from online institutions as they would real-world- just my perception.
Whereas those in the frontline, i.e. the person who will be working with the new hire, may be more concerned with what they can actually, as opposed to what the cert says.
I've seen many good people get screened out as they didn’t have the paperwork but I knew they could do the job.
One question: who has the final say on hiring? Is it HR or the IT Dept?

Hi David,

There is a story behind this…

My friend spent a few years getting a degree with Open University.

She’s a single mom and did it in the evenings. Then she moved to Canada and applied for jobs. No go! She was told the degree was ‘too exotic’.

Their exact words. ???

So, if Open University is not recognized as a quality institution, then we have a problem. I'm sure it’s great.
Now, other technical writers, mostly young folks or those trying to break into the field, want to do an online course on technical writing but don’t know where to go, who to trust, and is it worth it.

Maybe the STC could help here. Dunno, maybe that’s not their job.

But there is a real problem both for those who offer great courses – as I'm sure you do and OU – but don’t get the credit. No pun intended.

Do you see my point?

So, what do we need to do?

Who has the final say in hiring varies with the company. In some companies I have worked in, HR's job was to screen for appropriate candidates, but the decision was up to the manager of the IT or engineering department where the person would work. In other companies, HR has a lot more clout, and they can veto any candidate they don't like for whatever reason. I've usually enjoyed working where the manager who picked me had the final say.

The cert programs are tricky. I know someone at Oracle who has certs/diplomas for all kinds of things. Beats me what they’re for.
At Oracle, they carry some weight (with HR) but I don’t think other employers will be so impressed.
Really think there is a gap here and the STC could co-ordinate it.
Does it have the ambition/appetite to do so?
Dunno!

Excellent comment, David. When evaluating training courses, we might as well check the training team: who are they? What have they published? Which professional society/group they belong too? etc…Another point for recruiting: have candidates take a test, either in house or on-line.

BTW, Mercer University is missing in the above list… and George Hayhoe is at Mercer!

Best regards,

Thanks for that. I'll add Mercer University to the revised list.

I'm reading Tom Peters at the moment and he’s pretty scathing about HR’s role (interference) in the interviews. He reckons that it’s down to the dept to hire the people that suit them best… and chemistry, gut feelings about someone play a big part in choosing the right person.
How do you think we could change this so that the manager who picked me had the final say?

Hello Ivan: Thank you for posting this. Regarding the statement that some, “HR types may not ‘respect’ degrees from online institutions as they would real-world,” I tend to agree. Also, I took an online course once in technical writing. I'd say that it was “o.k.” but not great. However, it helped me to produce a very decent writing sample when I was starting out. And quality can vary, that's for sure; certainly the teacher had more of an impact than the fact that the course was online. I agree with your comment that STC perhaps can help us here (by offering suggestions regarding institution quality). If fact, they probably should!

Hi Gina,
STC perhaps can help us here (by offering suggestions regarding institution quality)
I think there is a real lost opportunity here. There must be many technical writers looking at ways to supplement their income right now. Getting them involved in a team effort to produce the ‘definitive’ online technical writing course… that would make money, for sure. And there could be DVDs etc as well.
With the STC’s endorsement, I could see it working. Not sure it has the appetite though.
Fwiw I have thought about this but my site doesn’t have the numbers (traffic) and the influence STC has.

[...] this year we asked if Online Degrees in Technical Writing as Good as Real World Universities? The response was mostly positive. The University of Limerick, Ireland offers an excellent online [...]

[...] this year we asked if Online Degrees in Technical Writing as Good as Real World Universities? The response was mostly positive. The University of Limerick, Ireland offers an excellent online [...]

[...] this year we asked if Online Degrees in Technical Writing as Good as Real World Universities? The response was mostly positive. The University of Limerick, Ireland offers an excellent online [...]