Online College Degrees
Editors note: I've become a big proponent of online college degrees since my wife began teaching online classes for the University of Phoenix. I can't speak for all online colleges but if the standards set by Phoenix.edu cut across the entire online college community, graduates of online degree programs will be well prepared in their chosen fields of study.
About Online College Degrees
Online college courses and degree programs are growing by leaps and bounds but in reality, they have been in existence for a very long time. Originally described by the term "distance learning", online based education has flourished in the past 5-10 years primarily due to the expanding use and development of communication technology. Utilizing the Internet, students can receive training, books, live streaming instruction, forum and bulletin board based interaction, real-time chat room interaction, video and audio recordings, and the list continues to grow as new technologies are developed and perfected.
Degree programs available from online colleges include:
- Computer, web, IT, etc.
- Business, Real Estate, Appraisal, etc.
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement
- Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician
- And Many More
Degrees that are achievable from online colleges include:
- Associates Degree
- Bachelors Degree
- Masters Degree
- Graduate Degrees
Benefits Of Online College Degrees
The benefits of online college degrees are both obvious and subtle. There are several different classifications of online degree programs based on the mode of learning. These basic models are known as Synchronous and Asynchronous.
Synchronous is a model whereby all students follow a set timeline and schedule from beginning to end. One great benefit of this model is the ability of Professors to facilitate discussion and the establishment of cohorts or small study groups. Students are able to benefit from their fellow classmates in a real-time manner during a synchronous class.
Asynchronous is an online education model that is primarily individually based as the student progresses at his or her own set pace. There is of course, much more flexibility afforded the asynchronous student as they have less hard-set time constraints and course time-lines to deal with. The down-side is that they miss much of the interaction with classmates that synchronous classes cultivate.
There are also degree programs that are entirely online from start to finish and some that include actual on-site attendance at different intervals. This is an important distinction for students who find travel to a campus or convention center burdensome. This is often the case when a student has real-life obligations to family or work and both time and money are an issue.
Other benefits of online degree programs:
- Less travel- saves travel costs and reaches students who may be geographically isolated
- Embracing technology- As the world races to employ the latest technology, online students are already indoctrinated and comfortable with it
Schools benefit by reaching a larger pool of prospective students bypassing both geographical and social barriers. Schools also benefit by reduced demand for actual campus infrastructure such as buildings, land, maintenance, etc.
Financial Aide For Online College Degrees
Financial Aide is available to many accredited programs but there is a wide degree of variation. Individual online programs can provide information on financial aide available whether its Federal Financial Aide, Military Tuition Assistance, or scholarships.
With the proliferation of Online College Degrees, continued learning and education, whether for personal interest or job/career advancement, has become a reality for just about anyone who has Internet access and the desire to better themselves.
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