I respect everyone's opinion but I have to say that I've done both in class and online courses towards my graduate program and the online courses certainly weren't easy if not harder. Also the schools that offer online programs has to get an approval of the ministry of education to offer such programs and certainly worth to take them. The courses are well evaluated. I remember my supervisor said once he was the member of the committee to evaluate online courses the University of Athabasca offers. Good thing about online PhD programs is they are offered for the professionals who are already doing some work in that field. Well, if you are concerned about your friend or cousin's degree why don't you just ask some questions about the program and what she know about it. If they are very proud of what they are doing (I think they have right to be) then leave them alone and wait to see what happens or if that bothers you, maybe just don't pay attention. If you chose and afford the time spent for in school PhD program, that's awesome, but the personal choice should matter. Let them do what they are enjoying to do. Online education is also = education. I got my graduate degree from one of the top universities in Canada and all of my online courses were accredited.
Psychomama reacted to Sophie_B in Online PhDs--worth anything at all?