Online Colleges

At this very moment, there are a record number of 28-45 year old students in the process of earning an online degree. Because of the increasing need for a well educated workforce, that should not come as a surprise to anyone.

What might surprise you, however, is the huge increase in traditional age students enrolled in online education programs. What are the reasons for this trend?

Why would an 18-24 year old student pursue an online degree instead of a traditional degree program?

Reason number one, it appears, is that many 18-24 year olds need a full time income to meet their financial obligations. Of course, it can be very difficult to hold a full time job and find the classes you need when you are free to attend them. Choosing an online college or university eliminates that problem because distance education students are free to set their own schedules and vary them as necessary.

Next, there is the issue of flexibility. Traditional college programs rarely allow students to accelerate the pace at which they can earn a degree. Conversely, online colleges frequently offer accelerated degree options. Some enable students to earn a bachelors degree in as little as two years.

Also, online degree programs are generally cheaper than traditional college and university programs. And, many online institutions of higher education offer tuition installment plans.

A final factor that has influenced more young people to turn to education online is the fact that most employers now value an online degree as much as they do a traditional one. That was not always the case. In fact, some employers prefer to hire folks with the ambition to earn a degree while working full time.

Of course, online degree programs can not offer students campus life. But, many 18-24 year old students are willing to give up campus life in exchange for the flexibility, cost saving, and convenience online education gives them.

When all is said and done, these younger students choose online colleges and universities for the same reasons as their older classmates. And, all indications are that the trend will increase in future years.

Tags: online college by Daniel Kane
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United States Department of Labor 2004 statistics reveal that full time workers 25 years of age and older earn a median weekly salary of $676. Those without a high school diploma average nearly $300 a week less ($396). High school graduates with no college average $562, and college graduates holding at least a bachelors degree earn nearly $1000 weekly.

Workers with graduate degrees earned $1,149 per week, about $220 more than those with bachelors degrees only.

Several other surveys indicate that the Department of Labor reports understate the differences in income by educational level. In fact, it is often reported by reliable researchers that the lifetime earnings differential between high school and college graduates exceeds $1,000,000. And, most economic and labor experts believe that the earnings gap between high school and college graduates will grow significantly in future years.

The Washington Research Council predicts that, “higher education will become increasingly important for landing high paying jobs”, and that good jobs will require higher and higher levels of education in the future.

Furthermore, in our increasingly competitive global economy, it seems highly likely that workers with bachelors, masters, professional, and doctoral degrees will suffer less unemployment and be less adversely impacted by the rise of economies overseas and the continued outsourcing of jobs. Yet, higher paying jobs and increased job security are not the only career-related rewards of higher education.

College graduates, overall, are happier with their jobs and careers than are other workers. That’s because the better educated a worker is, the more likely he or she will qualify for promotions and/or new career opportunities. It stands to reason that people who are not trapped in dead end jobs will experience higher job satisfaction.

All available evidence points to the conclusion that bachelors and graduate degrees open the doors to substantially higher earnings, increased employment options, job advancement and job satisfaction. As more employers seek educated workers, as more workers realize the benefits of education, and as financial aid has become available to traditional college students and adults seeking online degrees, the number of college students, including working adults, continues to soar.

The world is changing faster than it ever has in human history. Workers and employers must be able to learn new skills, adapt to new technologies, and meet the challenges of the global economy. To survive, and to prosper, a good education is more important than ever.

Tags: online college by Daniel Kane
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Distance education has come a long way since it was first developed in the 1700’s when weekly course assignments were passed out by horsemen messengers in a very small area of Boston. In the 19th century correspondence courses got a serious boost when the Postal Service was established and college courses could be completed in a matter of six to ten years. That was a major boon to Victorians looking to advance their education. It got even better when airplanes came and started express mailing assignments.

Now, distance education can take place in real time, just like a traditional college. The advances in the internet and computers have created a whole new world for distance education. Web 2.0 and technological innovations that have increased internet and computer speed have made learning much faster than it has ever been before. Distance education no longer takes years to complete, and you can basically get any degree that you want on your time.

You are now in control with the flexibility and accessibility of online education. You can work fast and hard to get a degree done in as little as a year or less, or you can take your time and fit an education into your tight schedule to complete it when you are capable. Regardless of your intentions or desires, you can get a great education online through distance education that is just as valuable as a traditional college education.

Your career options will become much more accessible and varied because of your education. No matter which type of degree you seek, or what level of education you’re after, your degree will show that you’re committed to your career choice. There are online programs for all levels of education, which will be a great tool to add to your arsenal. After all, you need everything you can to get the career that you want in today’s society, and online education is sure to help.

You don’t have to worry about the hassle of moving or commuting to a traditional campus, and the possibilities of what you can do with an online degree are basically endless. You can work anywhere you like, as long as you’ve got a computer. Also, the online education programs are much more affordable than traditional college or university educations.

Distance education is not a new concept. However, the advances in technology have made it much more accessible and convenient than ever before, which has increased its popularity. Many people turn to online education on a daily basis as a way to advance or jump start their careers. Since it’s affordable and convenient, online education is great for anyone who wants to pursue it. You can even enroll in an online program and start your education right now.

Tags: online college by Robin Brown
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Are you a career person limited by your current education and need to earn a higher degree to get promoted? Worried that you may not find a program that will fit your personal and financial needs? Well, no more worries are needed. Here are some excellent resources to help you get started in locating and financing the degree program you need to get ahead in life and at work.

Since the 1990’s, more than five times as many colleges and universities have begun offering distance learning programs to help busy people everywhere reach their educational goals. There are many to choose from, such as certificate programs to help employed people enhance their skills to all levels of degree programs that are designed to help adults advance in their careers or start new ones. The possibilities are endless, but they don’t have to be confusing.

Once you get serious about wanting to start a degree program online, you may want to check out resources found online where you can search for programs and other helpful information to get started. There are a multitude of programs to choose from, so take your time to learn all you can before you decide what will work best for you. Remember, each college has advisors there to help you with questions.

Distance learning is generally less expensive than regular college because you are learning virtually. That means instructors may be teaching from different regions right out of their home offices, and teaching multiple subjects. This cuts down on having to fully staff a brick and mortar college or university. These savings are passed down to students, in this case, You.

The learning experience is greatly enhanced in the virtual environment. There is generally a lower instructor- to-student ratio so that allows students to interact with instructors and other students more. But don’t worry as there will be many opportunities to work as teams or in competitions as activity is encouraged in the online environment.

As long as the college is accredited by an institute of higher learning, there are many resources available to help students pay their tuition. Students can take advantage of student loans, federal grants, or scholarships to fund their education.

By using the hints above, you will be on your way to getting that education you’ve always dreamed about, at a fraction of what you’d pay at a traditional college and in some cases a lot faster.

Tags: online college by Marjorie North
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With the growth of online education, students have more and better choices than ever before.

Although having so many colleges from which to select is great news for students, for some it presents what might seem like a difficult task.

But, the selection process is generally much less difficult than students anticipate. The first step in that process is determining what a student wants in an online college or university. After that, it’s pretty easy to put together a list of questions in need of an answer.

The questions below are universal…they are a good starting point. Depending on your needs and preferences, just add to them.

Accreditation should be a primary concern. Institutions not accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved agency should be crossed off your list without delay. Any time spent investigating such institutions will be wasted. Rule them out and move on.

Your second question should be whether or not a college offers a major in your area of interest and how its program compares with those elsewhere. Faculty qualifications, the availability of academic concentrations, the specific course offerings and requirements, and how well the program might prepare you for your chosen profession are all areas to investigate.

You should consider financial variables, of course, but do so carefully. Don’t just ask about tuition. It’s only part of the puzzle. Find out about the availability of scholarships, grants, loans, and installment payment plans.

Next is the question of credit for prior coursework and/or experience. Some institutions offer credit for military training, others do not. Some allow students to apply more transfer credits toward a degree. Many, but not all, will evaluate credit in writing, so students know exactly where they stand. Don’t forget that previously earned credit, if accepted, can save you time and money.

Don’t forget to thoroughly investigate student services, which can vary widely from college to college in both availability and quality. Ask in depth questions about whatever kinds of support are most important to you; financial aid counseling, academic advising, contact with faculty and fellow students, tutoring, job placement, etc.

Take some time to think about and clarify your educational and professional objectives. You’ll then be able to know which questions to add to those we’ve already discussed. As you obtain answers to those questions, you will be able to rule out some of your potential choices fairly quickly and identify others worthy of continued consideration.

For most students, getting their questions answered turns out to be pretty easy. The harder job is being certain they are asking the right questions. Luckily, that should not now be a problem for you.

Tags: online degree by Daniel Kane
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