College Degrees

Jim Johnson asked:


Pursuing higher education is the goal of many people today as today’s job markets increasingly require more and higher quality education in order to find meaningful employment. When faced with the decision of which college to attend in order to get that needed college degree, the choices can be almost overwhelming. One avenue of higher education that you really should consider however is an online degree.
For many years the only way to get a more advanced degree was by attending traditional brick and mortar colleges and universities that specialize in the field(s) that interests you. The educational landscape has changed dramatically though with the increased acceptance and quality of online schools that can offer the same educational and acedemic benefits while removing many of the hardships and difficulties often associated with attending schools offline.
One of the great benefits of getting your education online is that it allows you to participate in courses that may not be found locally at the colleges that are near you. The internet makes taking any course practical no matter where you live. Another important convenience factor for many is the time commitment needed to succeed in an online school. Many people work full time while pursuing an advanced degree and that can often interfere with a college schedule at traditional schools.
But online schools are more flexible in their course requirements and many find that they can successfully negotiate a full time job with their college workload without undue stress and hardship. If you happen to be a family caretaker the flexibility that an online schools offers can be just what you need to make the pursuit of an advanced degree attainable.
One word of caution however. Be sure that the school you choose online is fully accredited. This way any courses that you complete can be fully transferred as college credits if and when you have to change your curriculum or school. And employers will look much more favorably on an education received from fully accredited schools that have a solid reputation for education excellence.
The type of degree that you can get online is a wide open field including associate, bachelor, master, and even Phd and doctorate degrees. The fields of study also are wide-ranging as well. Generally, if you can get a degree in a particular field of study offline, you can pretty much count on being able to accomplish the same program online too.
So when looking to advance your education don’t limit yourself to just the offline schools. Give serious consideration to online higher and advanced education too, and it may be just what you need to get the college degree that you really want.

Franklin

art-nerd asked:


I am especially looking for answers from college grads. Do you think a Bachelors degree, for the most part, is useless as far as getting a better job and/or salary? What about a Masters Degree? I know people with Masters who can’t get a full-time job because there are so many more people out there now with PhD’s or Doctorates to compete with. Is this a new development, or has it been this way all along? What have your experiences been?

Bobby

Andy West asked:


These days there are more and more people who choose to earn a college degree online rather than attending a physical university. Their reasons are varied, but all of them are valid and you may want to consider going the online college route yourself if you’ve been considering getting an advanced degree but you aren’t sure a traditional college environment is right for you.

To understand just how popular this option is, consider some of these popular reasons to earn a college degree online:

Many people work while pursuing a degree. The most common reason for considering getting an online college degree is that some people are already working. In order to advance in their jobs they may have been told that they will need an advanced degree of some type. In most industries, those with a college education always fill middle management positions. Working while you earn a college degree online allows you to balance making a living with investing in your family’s future.

Older or non-traditional students may feel more comfortable in an online environment. Dorm or apartment living and being surrounded by teens and twenty-something’s may not make someone who is retired comfortable, but more and more older individuals are fulfilling their dream of getting an advanced degree. If they earn a college degree online, they can study at their own pace and remain in their home environment where they are comfortable and feel confident. It’s a wonderful way to fulfill a long-deferred dream.

Students with English as a second language may prefer an online education. Many people who speak English fluently don’t realize that it can be daunting to sit in a lecture hall surrounded by dozens or even hundreds of students who can keep up with a fast-paced lecture more easily than you. For those who prefer the written word and being able to take the time to digest the information carefully, such as those who speak English as a second language, online courses can be a wonderful alternative. Even pre-recorded lectures can be digested more fully since they can be played back again and again, while lecture transcripts provide complete information so that students can be sure that nothing was “lost in translation.”

Stay-at-home moms can study when the children are young. Being at home all day with an infant or toddler is incredibly rewarding, but leaves little time for mothers to work on themselves. After all, they need to be available at all times for their children. Moms can, however, earn a degree online by studying around their children’s schedules and be prepared when they want to re-enter the workforce, as their children get older.

Anyone on a tight budget can earn a degree online for less than the cost of a traditional school. Even students right out of high school are turning more and more to online colleges and universities for the flexibility of scheduling and the reasonable cost. They appreciate getting a bachelor’s degree or other advanced degree in the same amount of time or less than they would at a traditional, physical university without spending so much money. These students end up with far less debt and valuable work experience as well, since they can hold full or part-time jobs while working on their degrees.

If you fit into any of these categories, be sure to start looking at some of the accredited online colleges that offer majors in your area of interest. Soon you’ll join the ranks of those who are glad they took the time to earn a college degree online.

Edgar

Tuppy Glossop asked:


If you’re considering a return to college to study for a degree, it’s important that you know exactly what you want to get out of the experience. The more preparation you can do before you plunge into your studies, the more benefit you’ll get from your decision. You’re going to invest a lot of time, hard work, and tuition fees into this process, so it’s important that you are clear about your objectives.

There are as many different types of distance learning students as there are people in the world. But research and anecdotal evidence suggests that the most successful students have seriously considered the following three questions:

Why am I returning to college?

It’s tempting to answer this first question simply: “To get a degree.” And for some people, that may be motivation enough. Many of us choose to go straight to work after high school, or there may be reasons that you dropped out of college without completing your degree. And the desire to finally return to school and earn that degree can be very strong.

But most students who choose to return to school later in life do so for a practical reason: Career advancement. Skilled manual & technical work is becoming more scarce, and in a knowledge-based economy the better-paying jobs often demand a college degree.

If that’s the reason you’re considering college, be sure that you spend the necessary time researching which subjects you should study. This is especially important if you’re studying a rapidly-changing technical field like computer programming; you don’t want to be the last student in the world to become expert in an obsolete programming language.

Do I have the self-discipline to earn an online college degree?

At first glance it’s tempting to think that studying for your degree online will be easier than attending classes on campus. After all, you don’t need to get out of your pajamas, let alone out of the house!

But the fact is that you need to be extremely self-disciplined to complete even one course … and you’ll have to take quite a few to get that degree. Without the discipline that a regular schedule imposes, it’s very easy to fall behind on your course work. And while most colleges and universities now allow for asynchronous learning, which means that you don’t have to login for an online lecture at a specific time but can instead watch it at your convenience, you do still need to watch it.

Online colleges recognize the danger of students slipping behind in their work and will schedule papers, quizzes, and exams in such a way as to monitor your progress. But the final responsibility for your success or failure is yours.

Will my friends and family give me the support I need?

You’re going to spend a great deal of time studying when you plunge into your course work and, unless you have an awful lot of spare hours on your hands right now, that means time that you’ll have to take from other activities. Particularly if you’ll be working and studying simultaneously, you’ll have a lot less opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Are you, and they, comfortable with that?

If you’re married, the support of your spouse is absolutely vital. They may have to be willing to accept a much greater share of the housework, errands, and parenting. At the same time, you’re going to have much less opportunity to relax and go out for a quiet meal; see a movie; or even watch TV together in the evening.

Are you, and they, willing to make compromises to allow you to fulfill your dream of earning a degree? Are they equally invested in the potential career opportunities and rewards of your studies, or is it possible they will feel threatened by you moving up the career ladder and broadening your horizons?

If you’re already fully committed to getting your degree, don’t let these questions be a barrier to your goals. But by taking the time to address the potential pitfalls ahead of time, your experience will be more enjoyable, more manageable, and more rewarding in the long term.

Norma

Louis Zhang asked:


An online education college degree is the non-traditional, trendy way to get the 21st century benefits of a higher education.

From early on, our parents have drummed into our heads how important it is to have a college degree.

For the 99% of us (minus the 1% who are the Bill Gates and Michael Dell’s of the world, and those that inherit millions) having a college degree is an advantage even basic requirement for our careers.

However, studying full-time at a university may not work out for many people for various reasons. Luckily there are good options and that’s where an online education college degree shines.

This so-called new trend really takes the best of the old way of learning and combines with the latest technologies. The courses and curriculum are really just the same.

What’s missing from the mix is lengthy commute, schedule rearrangements and to some extent expensive textbooks. Most universities offer accredited degrees in all manner of majors and degree levels.

This method of education works well for many people who missed out on college education earlier due to financial circumstances, lack of accessibility to a college.

Therefore, the online education students are not your usual type. The typical he or she is someone who already has a career and a family and find these programs helpful to advance their career.

Here then are the Top 3 advantages to choosing an online education college degree:

1. Affordability: Online education courses are usually more affordable than the traditional university. This factor is particularly helpful to the student who has a family and children to support. The student gains an opportunity to advance his career.

2. Accessibility: Let’s not forget that not every town has a local university. This is a problem for those who would like to obtain a college degree. Well, not anymore.

3. Flexibility: Studying from home allows for flexibility. This has certain benefits. For instance, the adult student does not need to attend classes with other younger students and feel uncomfortable.

Remote learning also allows the student to focus on studies rather than college activities.

The benefits to learning online cannot be overstated. Provided she has a good sense of self-discipline, the student enjoys greater flexibility, a more affordable education, and the comfort of learning at her own pace, as well the convenience of studying in their home environment.

Given they kind of stress we have to endure in today’s workplace, an online education college degree is the answer for many adults looking for a way to further their education, boost their income and most importantly, build a better future for their families.

Margaret

Jullie Harvard asked:


Online education has been designed to fit for working adults who want to earn a degree without interference with their current job. Hence, if you are a working individual who has college experience but no degree, you could complete your studies with a degree through an online education program. Many online schools will allow you to transfer your previous credits and earn a degree in shorter period of time. Here are steps you will need to do to finish your college degree online.Step 1: Evaluate whether online learning is right for youAlthough online education has many advantages that can benefit you, but it might not be a good option if your lifestyle cannot fit the requirements for becoming a successful online student. A successful online student must be able to allocate his time to cover for both his study and other responsibility. Additionally, a successful online student must have self-motivation to learn independently and has a high level of reading comprehension. You should evaluate yourself to see whether online learning is right for you before your decide to take the degree online.Step 2: Find an online collegeIf you plan to use the degree to help in your career, then it is important that you only choose the online degree program offered by an accredited online college and it has a good reputation. You also want to find a degree program which gives a maximum flexibility to plan your study schedule if you have an unfixed working hour. Although most online colleges allow their students to study at their own pace, there are some schools require their students to log-in into a virtual classroom at a specific day and time. Be sure you are able to fit to the time if the program you choose has fixed virtual classroom schedule, else you should only go for online degree program that offers full self-pace study.Step 3: Chose a majorYou may choose to study in general area of a degree field or major in a specialization area. However, many jobs only require a general “bachelor” degree, unless you are choose a career that required professional expertise that required you to have a specialization in any particular field.Step 4: Submit your transcriptsOnce you have been accepted to an online degree program, you may need to have your previous schools to send an official transcript to the online college for admission review.Step 5: Speak With College CounselorBefore you sign up the online degree program, talk with the college counselor if you have any questions and concerns. Then, ask for transcript review clarification to ensure you have most credit transfer to your new degree so that you can save your money and complete the degree courses in the shortest period of time.Step 6: Attend Online ClassesYour college counselor should provide you with a list of courses that are required to complete your degree. Most online courses allow you to plan your study time according to your schedule. Plan your study time probably so that it won’t crash with your working and family time; then, follow the schedule accordingly, you will be well on your way to complete a college degree.SummaryGoing back to study and finish your college degree can be a challenge for a working individual. But, online education can provide you with the best option to stay focus on your job, family while completing your college degree.

Kathryn

Andy West asked:


Education in general is extremely important to be on the cutting edge of business, technology and social groups. You need strong credentials and the certification only a reputable, accredited college can provide you with to be able to be seen as someone valuable to a corporation or business. In the past, students of all ages would enroll in colleges and universities, expending valuable time and money to travel to classrooms and listen to lectures to earn credits, but modern ways have changed the way training is delivered to individuals. The new way to earn your education is to become one of the thousands of students taking courses via the virtual world from top educational facilities. Online college degree programs are an excellent way to land the skills and abilities you need to compete in a fast paced, shark eat shark world, but are distance education courses for you?
Some of the pros involved in earning an online college degree are that cost is low, accessibility is easy, and convenience is very high. There’s no travelling back and forth from a campus to home, nor is it necessary to live in dormitories or rent an apartment in another city or state. Travel and lodging alone is a large chunk of expenditures when considering the goal of a college degree. There still are some costs involved in taking courses via the internet. No student will be able to avoid the cost of textbooks or course materials and enrolling with an educational facility for an online college degree means that access to a computer is imperative. However, having a computer, course materials on hand, and all lectures on audio file means that students can work on their credits at any time of the day or on certain days in the week, unrestricted by on site college schedules. Also, students can enroll in one or many courses to earn their online college degree at their own pace, slowly over the years as time and real life permit or as quickly as if they were taking the same full time curriculum as any student on campus.
While studying at the best time of the day for you in the comfort of your own home might seem very attractive, working towards an online college degree demands a certain amount of self discipline and, because of that, can be easily set aside as other distractions or priorities seem to take precedence. The control of being in a classroom has to be recreated in your home, no mean feat for some people. Otherwise, the lack of being able to devote time to your studies may mean that you end up not submitting work, missing tests or possibly even flunking the courses you need. Not only is self control an issue when working towards your online college degree, the environment around you will have a large effect on your ability to concentrate or accomplish your task to the best of your abilities. Studying at home often means distractions, such as televisions, telephones, or family have to be taken into account, which may mean a restructuring of your home organization.
Lastly, achieving an online college degree demands one vital thing, that you are comfortable with a computerized environment, as well as being able to type, manipulate software and know your way around the virtual world. Those comfortable with technology will have no issues at all with online learning and will probably complete their tasks efficiently, but those who aren’t familiar with computers or who have a fear of pressing the wrong button will certainly find taking online courses a daunting task. Having access to education is one thing, but in a virtual world, being able to know your way around a computerized environment will mean the difference between obtaining your online college degree or floundering badly. However, there are many places offering free or nearly free instruction on working with computers and the amount of time required for a small course most likely won’t be more than a month or two. After that, you’ll certainly be adept and confident enough to handle online education.

Shannon

Ashley asked:


I want to work with multi-disabled children but do not have and cannot afford a college degree. Are there any careers that only require a certification or training?

David

Chris Chew asked:


Accredited distance learning university and college degrees has been opening doors for people all over the world to a more fulfilling life, better career opportunities and providing keys to earning more money. With the ease of online education, people who would normally have no opportunities to study for university or college degrees can now do so by distance learning with accredited online universities and colleges.

All you need to do is just to conduct an internet search and you will find many accredited institutions offering online degree programs right from a bachelor’s degree to MBAs and even Doctorate post graduate programs. The world of online learning has exploded fast and furious in the last couple of years and even busy professionals and working adults can study for a degree online.

Studying for an online degree fits perfectly with the world of convenience that the internet has created. The internet has made our lives so much more convenient like paying bills, shopping and now, even getting a college degree online.

For many people, getting a college degree can mean a great jump in career advancement along with salary increment. Thousands if not millions of lives have changed for the better because of this technology.

Since getting an online degree do not have to adhere to strict and rigid classroom schedules, it has enabled many more busy people to get their degrees online. This is the primary reason why the online education industry has grown so rapidly together with its growing status of credibility and respectability.

The idea of studying anywhere and anytime is certainly appealing. Students can study from comfort of their homes or any other location as and when they choose to. How much more convenient can studying for a college degree can get?

Another great benefit of choosing to get an accredited long online degree is that students can evade costs and pain of relocation or commuting to and from college campuses. Boarding costs are also money saved since students are not required to attend any campus activities. Furthermore, many accredited online learning institutions, like The University Of Phoenix Online offer financial aid to students who qualify for such aids.

So if you want to get a college degree to advance your career, but do not have the time or financial means to do so in the past, then perhaps it is time to consider the option of studying for an accredited online degree now.

Alfred

Jim Zorn asked:


An online accredited college degree program allows you to take individual online college courses and to get an impressive college degree, without having to attend on-campus classes.

These programs are ideal for non-traditional adult students, who can study at their convenience, while meeting their work and family responsibilities. They get a second chance to complete their college education and to acquire a degree that will add to their career portfolio.

You can join an online accredited college degree program and get a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or Doctorate in a subject of your choice. Some of the popular subjects are business, information technology, computer science, education, psychology, social work, counseling and journalism.

Many students prefer to join professional certificate programs in subjects like stress management, security management, law enforcement and public health nursing, that will help them in their careers.

What you need to consider before you sign up

Before you join an online accredited college degree program you need to be sure about your personal goals and how an online college degree will help you to reach them. If there is a clearly defined benefit that an online college degree can provide, like a pay raise, promotion or a better job, you must go ahead and join the course.

A college degree doesn’t come cheap and you need to carefully weigh the costs and benefits of joining an online accredited college degree program. Find out if your employer offers some type of tuition assistance as an employee benefit.

You need the support of your family and employer and be prepared to find time to work on the online degree program, in spite of having a packed schedule. You must be fully committed, have a positive attitude and believe that you can succeed through your own efforts.

Two-year schools offer associate degrees and certificate programs, while four-year schools and universities provide bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Two-year schools are suitable for students who are very concerned about the cost and are not sure of their long-term goals or academic capabilities.

Four-year schools are suitable for students who are clear about their goals and are confident about their academic capabilities. Certificate courses are suitable for people who want to update their work skills, while degree courses are suitable for people who require an advanced degree and want to enter a professional field.

Institutions offering accredited online college degree programs

The University of Maryland University College (UMUC) offers several online bachelor’s degrees and undergraduate certificates. It is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Philadelphia.

The University of Phoenix Online is the nation’s largest, accredited private university. It is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Before you sign up for an online accredited college degree program, you must be clear about your career goals. Look for a school and a program that will help you to achieve what you want and be fully committed to success.

Joshua