Summary Findings:
The quality of an online degree program is defined by the name and reputation of the education provider. The name of the university providing the online degree program ranks high in importance.

This poll with HR Executives at the SHRM Conference in Orlando indicates that Online UC universities are providers of choice for online degree programs.

Studies show the name of the educational institution backing online degree programs is critical to learner acceptance and future education success. Further proof of this comes from a recent survey conducted with HR professionals who attended the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) 2003 Conference.

Fifty percent of the HR professionals polled at this year's SHRM conference said they'd select a job candidate with a degree from a traditional school such as the University of Southern California over a candidate with a degree from a non-traditional organization. Only 22 percent said they'd select candidates graduating from an education business such as University of Phoenix. When asked which candidate they'd be more likely to promote, results were the same.

QUESTIONS
1) If you had to hire an employee that earned an online degree from a traditional school such as the University of Southern California or that had matriculated at the University of Phoenix, whom would you choose? (please check one box only)
University of Phoenix
University of Southern California (USC)
 
2) If you had to promote an employee that earned an online degree from a traditional school such as the University of Michigan or that had matriculated at the University of Phoenix, whom would you choose? (please select one)
University of Michigan
University of Phoenix

FINAL RESULTS FOR BOTH QUESTIONS
Traditional Universities (i.e., USC and University of Michigan) - 50%
University of Phoenix - 22%
Split Opinions (either) - 13.8%
Makes No Difference - 13.8%