Mary Jackson asked:


Online programs are being offered more often by traditional colleges and universities, which means the variety of courses available online is increasing.

According to the report, Online Nation: Five Years of Growth in Online Learning, published by the Sloan Consortium, one-third of all colleges and universities make up three-quarters of all students who take online classes.

This means that colleges and universities have seen the potential for reaching more students and are taking advantage of it. For students, this means more variety in the types of programs offered. If you’re uncomfortable enrolling in an online university, check out local colleges to learn more about the online programs they have to offer.

Your diploma for an online program is identical to one that an on-campus student would receive, thus it does not matter if you tell others you completed your degree online.

Financial aid is now available to students completing online degree programs. Get your college degree online by applying for financial assistance. While financial aid may not pay for all of the costs associated with earning a degree, tuition costs are usually covered.

You can find out more about financial aid packages by reviewing your prospective online college website or contacting the financial aid office of that local college or university.

There are many reasons to consider earning an online degree. After you graduate, you will be able to pursue a new career or advance in your current one.

Online Degrees Can Enrich Your Career

Earning a college degree online can help you in many aspects of your life. Not only will you improve critical thinking and problem solving skills, you will also be able to go after higher paying jobs in the field you want to work in. A college degree can enrich your life and the lives of others and allow you to discover new passions and interests you may not have discovered otherwise.

Depending on your current circumstances, returning to college may seem frightening or unrealistic due to the time you will have to devote to classes, studying and completing assignments. But have you ever considered returning to school to get a degree online? According to The Distance and Training Council, which helps accredit long distance learning and online education institutions, over 4 million people are currently enrolled in an online degree program for various reasons.

Learning at Your Own Pace

Because courses are taught online, you won’t have to maintain a traditional college course schedule. While you will have to make time each day for online lectures, working online with other students to complete group assignments and take tests and other assessments during predetermined times, where and when you study is up to you.

If you’re a self-motivated person who can complete all course requirements without much supervision, an online degree program may be for you. A college degree online program can prepare students in the same ways that traditional programs do by allowing students to study at their own pace and work on assignments when it suits their schedule.



David Shnaider

Keith Londrie asked:


The prospect of entering (or returning) to college can be a daunting challenge for most any adult, bringing anxiety and nervousness. From personal experience, I can attest that these feelings are compounded based on a fear of unknown circumstances and unfamiliar surroundings associated with online degree programs. Committing to the pursuit or completion of a degree via an online program is a significant first-step, but there are several preparations you can take that can increase the chances for success and alleviate the preparatory anxiety.

First, if you have not already done so, begin familiarizing yourself with key productivity and online applications. Most of the schools offering online degree programs require the use of software currently in use (and accepted as “standard” in the personal and business computing environment). Microsoft Office applications are some of the most common applications in use, though compatibility improvements between applications will allow the use other software products if you so desire. Access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) is also an essential tool; I would suggest that you use a high-speed Internet connection if at all possible, as this will improve connectivity and minimize the time spent in downloading course materials and uploading assignments. You should have at least one email account through your ISP. From personal experience, I would suggest establishing a separate email account for school-related correspondence, as this will prevent inbox clutter and ensure that critical school-related correspondence will not be lost or overlooked. This will also help in controlling unwanted (spam) emails in this account, as you can set up the email client to accept correspondence from known sources.

If you have not done so already, familiarize yourself with newsgroup or static list service formats. Some schools offer real-time chat environments for interaction and lectures, but many more utilize some form of list or forum service to organize and disseminate course discussions and materials. The specifics will vary greatly among schools, so the best advice would be to study tutorials or demo modules before selecting an online-degree program, and certainly before beginning the first course once a school and program has been selected.

Though not unique to online degree programs, mental preparation is a critical ingredient towards success. College coursework is markedly different from previous academic experiences, requiring discipline, time-management, and a commitment to allocating time and effort on a daily basis. Unlike traditional programs, online degree programs are often conducted in intense, short bursts, ranging from 5-6 weeks up to an entire semester. On-campus students often attend class for several hours a week, and spend off-campus time completing assignments and reading materials. Online programs require complete self-discipline; just because attendance at a physical building is not required does not absolve you of these challenges and responsibilities.

Finally, and perhaps most important, is to prepare contingency plans. Natural events, construction accidents, and even routine maintenance can disrupt your Internet connections, which is your sole lifeline to your classroom. Having a contingency plan in place to allow for limited connectivity in the event that you experience an Internet outage can be the difference between a successful online degree experience and one filled with frustration and failure. Online degree programs are often conducted at a faster pace than brick-and-mortar counterparts, so a disruption of a day or two can lead to disastrous consequences. I maintained a dial-up Internet account for those “just in case” situations and I used this fallback on several occasions.

Online degree programs are a reality today, and the quality of education offered by reputable schools mirrors that of traditional programs. With proper preparation, the learning experience can be enjoyable and productive for online degree seekers, and can lead towards a rewarding learning experience. The ingredients from success may differ from the preparations required by traditional students, but all higher-learning programs share the common elements of planning, discipline, and commitment.



Sara Levi