Do you want your employer, or prospective employer, to take your new distance learning degree or certificate program seriously? Of course you do - why else would you have invested the time to earn this advanced degree or special certification? It is important for your employer to take your distance learning degree, or certificate program, seriously and appreciate the value of all your hard work and the new skills and knowledge you have obtained.

Advancing your career through continuing education, whether online or at a traditional university, is a serious matter. You should expect the value of your online education degree or certification to be recognized by your present, or prospective, employer as long as they believe that your online school is credible. So, firstly, you can help yourself by following these two steps:

1) Make sure your distance learning school is fully accredited by a regional accrediting agency. This adds credibility and integrity to your educational accomplishments and real value to your degree or certificate.

2) Make sure that your online degree or certification is germane to the field that you are working or pursuing employment. A degree in Education will most likely not help you advance your career if you are an accountant.

If you are still concerned that your boss, or future employer, may be skeptical about the value of a degree earned through online courses, there are additional steps that you can take to put their fears to rest. These tips are not intended to deceive, but to paint your distance learning degree in the best possible light.

These tips are relatively straight forward and should be considered before selecting your online college or school.

* As mentioned above, one of the most important steps to take when you choose your distance learning program and school is to ensure that they are accredited by the appropriate regional agency.

* If possible, try to find online courses at a university that also has an active "brick and mortar" campus. More and more traditional colleges and universities are offering both in-class and online courses as they start to identify the benefits of online education for both school and student.

* Try to select a school that does not promote "online" or "distance learning" in their school name. Today, most schools offering online classes do not follow this practice, but there are still a few that do - avoid these institutions if this is a concern.

* Most credible distance learning schools are reachable during normal business hours. Make sure that your selected school has a "live" person answering their phones in case a prospective employer calls to verify your degree or request a copy of your school transcripts.

* Request a sample of the school's transcripts that would be forwarded to an employer. Make sure that the format and headings appear professional and do not contain references to online or distance learning classes or degrees.

Following these simple steps will give your distance learning degree or certificate program the best opportunity to be viewed by those few cynical employers with the same respect as a traditional school's degree. You worked hard for your online degree and are proud of it. So shouldn't you take the time to make sure it is given the consideration it deserves?