| The percentage of Americans over 25 years old who | | | | This flexibility is built in to online learning. Using a |
| hold college degrees has risen to an all-time high of | | | | variety of media, online studies can be conducted at |
| 28%, according to the U. S. Census Bureau. Going to | | | | the convenience of the student. Some classes do |
| college pays off financially. Holding a bachelor's degree | | | | require "class time, " but not necessarily for every |
| increases a person's yearly earnings twofold | | | | class session. |
| compared to a person with a high school diploma. A | | | | The ability to work through the program at his or her |
| master's degree holder will make $1.3 million more | | | | own pace is also essential to the non-traditional |
| than a person with a high school diploma over his or | | | | student. A student might want to complete his or her |
| her entire career. Thanks to the Internet, location | | | | degree as quickly as he or she can. For other |
| and responsibilities no longer stand in the way of | | | | students, an accelerated program is out of the |
| anyone who wants to pursue a college degree. | | | | question. Online college degree programs easily |
| Students who want to finish college more quickly can | | | | accommodate both of these needs. |
| do so by working on accelerated online degrees. | | | | Most online bachelor's degrees take about 3-5 years |
| Many adults who went to work straight out of high | | | | to complete. For students wanting to speed up the |
| school contemplate returning to school to earn a | | | | process, accelerated online degrees can be finished in |
| college degree. Why is this? For some, they want a | | | | just two years. To accomplish this requires taking |
| career change. For others, they see a college degree | | | | classes year round. The student who decides to take |
| as a way to update their skills and earn more money. | | | | this route must be aware that it will take more time |
| Non-traditional college students have different needs | | | | and effort than completing a degree in the regular |
| than students entering college directly after high | | | | 3-5 year time table. If a student has other obligations, |
| school. The non-traditional students need flexible | | | | he or she needs to be realistic about whether or not |
| programs that they can work at their own paces. | | | | an accelerated program would work well in his or her |
| They need to be able to fit classes into an already | | | | individual circumstances. |
| busy schedule. And, like traditional college students, | | | | Non-traditional college students can fulfill their dreams |
| they often need financial assistance, a choice of | | | | of earning a college degree by going to school online. |
| majors and a college that is accredited by a | | | | These degrees are flexible and usually cost less than |
| recognized accrediting organization. | | | | on-campus colleges. If the degree is from a |
| Going to school online is a perfect way for | | | | reputable, accredited college or university, the |
| non-traditional students to earn their degrees. Online | | | | student should have no problem finding a job. |
| schools offer many associate, bachelor's, master's | | | | Accelerated online degrees offer freedom to anyone |
| and doctoral programs. The choice of majors includes | | | | interested in pursuing higher education. All of the |
| accounting, criminal justice, psychology, nursing, | | | | barriers to pursuing a college education evaporate in |
| elementary education, early childhood education, | | | | the face of the Internet. Any student with access to |
| library science and others. | | | | a computer and the Internet can earn a |
| Flexibility is also very important to students returning | | | | post-secondary degree. This may have been an |
| to school. College classes must mesh with already | | | | impossible dream for some only 15 years ago. |
| established outside obligations with family and work. | | | | |