7 Reasons to Get Your College Degree Online
By Leslie Acosta
With online education continuing to gain popularity, prospective students are becoming well aware of the benefits of obtaining an online degree. According to the Sloan Consortium report Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006, 3.2 million students took online courses in the fall of 2005, an increase from the 1.6 million students reported in the fall of 2002. Need a little more convincing? Here are the top seven reasons to pursue an online degree.
1. Study Wherever
If you've got Internet access, the world is your classroom, and your educational goals don't depend on your location. Online education eliminates the common obstacles for potential students of not having a campus located nearby or not having a specific degree program available. No more relocating or commuting. Study from home, the office, or while traveling--it's up to you.
2. Study Whenever
Another bonus of online education lies in the flexibility students enjoy. With asynchronous learning, students can use their computers at their own convenience to access course materials such as videotaped lectures, course notes, research materials, electronic discussion boards, chat rooms, class assignments, and exams. Students can complete online associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees (and even PhDs) within a specific time frame or at their own pace, depending on the program.
3. Adapt Your College Degree to Your Needs
Your education is important, but every student must juggle other commitments as well. Traditional campus learning, with scheduled class meeting times, can be difficult for students who are working, caring for others, serving in the military, or traveling frequently. Online education also appeals to students who prefer to learn independently.
4. Get Someone Else to Pay for It
Many employers make online degrees even more attractive to students by offering to pay part or all of their tuition. In this win-win situation, companies are gaining employees with increased skills and knowledge, obtained on their own time. Employees are earning the degree they want without having to reduce their work hours or pay.
5. Possibly Earn Your Degree Faster
Typically, many online degrees can be obtained more quickly than their traditional campus counterparts. Online courses are usually accelerated, so more classes can be finished in less time. If you have transferable credits from another institution, your completion time for an online college degree is even less. The faster you earn your degree, the sooner you are on your way to getting the job or salary you want.
6. Build New Skill Sets
Completing an online degree takes a great deal of motivation, responsibility, and time management. Self-discipline and the ability to learn independently are assets that definitely transfer to the workplace. And with coursework submitted via computer, students participating in online courses will also polish their writing skills.
7. Apply What You're Learning
Online degrees are often very specialized, with coursework geared toward specific career training. Students learn material that is industry-current and relevant for their careers, studying under professional instructors with education and experience in the field. This makes it not only possible but highly beneficial for students to apply their new knowledge in real time (especially for employer-funded degrees). For students seeking a way up the career ladder in their current job, an online degree program can help them demonstrate immediate growth and improvement.
It's easier than ever to build the career you want. Join the millions of students who have already selected online education as the path to their career goals.
Sources
- "Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006," by I. Elaine Allen Ph.D. and Jeff Seaman Ph.D., The Sloan Consortium, November 2006.
- "Distance learning in postsecondary education: Learning whenever, wherever," by Matthew Mariani, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Summer 2001.
About the Author
Leslie Acosta has a BA in modern European studies and an MA in art history. She has taught college courses and is currently a freelance writer.
Featured Schools
At University of Phoenix, we believe everyone deserves access to higher education.
Visit www.phoenix.edu- Online
- Graduate Project Management Certificate
- M.S. in Administration of Justice and security/Global Homeland Security
Work toward your degree with Arkansas State University Jonesboro.
- Online
- Master of Public Administration
- Master of Science in Education in Special Ed - Gifted, Talented, and Creative
Earn a respected bachelor's degree, master's degree, or Ph.D. online at Walden University.
- Online
- M.S. in Management - Global Management
- M.B.A. in Risk Management
The USC School of Social Work’s MSW@USC offers the opportunity to earn a Master of Social Work degree through the Virtual Academic Center without relocating to Southern California.
Visit msw.usc.edu- Online
- Master of Social Work
Welcome to Argosy University
Argosy University offers doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degree programs to students through its
seven colleges: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences,
Undergraduate Studies, The Art Institute of California and Western State College of Law as well as
certificate programs in many areas.
- Online
- Psychology (BA) (Online)
- Teaching and Learning (EdD) (Online)
AIU’s real-world focus and in-depth specializations can help you stand out in the industry.
Visit www.aiuonline.edu- Online
- MBA - Finance
- Bachelor's (BBA) - Entrepreneurship
Your creativity is a big part of who you are and where you’re going. To take it, and your future, as far as you want, you need an education that’s focused on developing your talents and putting you on the path toward the creative career that stirs your imagination. A collaborative education at The Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, is all about the work, the students who create it, and the instructors who guide them.
The first step is to explore these areas of study, and think about where you fit in an industry that runs on ideas.
- Online
- Diploma of Residential Planning (C)
- 3D Animation (C)
