Online Course or Educational Institution? what track is advised for a photography path with agencies, corporate bodies, travel or in life?

Question

I have worked in business development for the better part of my professional career. Photography has been a part of that for various tasks (websites, brochures, cards, etc). One of my goals is to work on a regular basis personally or with companies, institutions and programs in real estate, portraiture, exhibition, wildlife, social issues among others. I realise the benefit and advantage online lessons offer with its accesibility to information. I also think that to break into certain spaces, there are some credentials that online lessons just may not be cut out for. I ask my question to find out a couple of things;
1. Whether I am mistaken and should keep taking any free or paid online course whilst working at taking more jobs. 
OR
2. Look into postgradute, diploma, undergraduate or other professional courses that could take me closer to being eligible and be accepted when I make an application for various positions.