| College educations come in a variety of shapes and | | | | meaning you can earn your degree on a timeline that |
| sizes. Online education is one variety that has grown | | | | works for you. |
| in popularity. The Sloan Consortium, an online | | | | Cost. While not always the case, an online degree |
| education organization, conducts an annual study that | | | | can be less expensive than a traditional college |
| showed nearly 20 percent of U.S. college students | | | | degree. And, you won't have the expense of living |
| took at least one online college course in the fall of | | | | on campus or commuting to and from classes. |
| 2006. | | | | Career-oriented degree programs. Many online college |
| What Is Online Education? | | | | degrees and online college courses focus on |
| An online education is a class or degree program that | | | | career-specific skills which working students can apply |
| takes place via email, message boards or chat room | | | | on the job immediately. |
| discussions. Most or all interaction with the professors | | | | Drawbacks to an Online College Degree |
| and students is online. Pre-packaged software may | | | | The College experience. If you are looking for a |
| be used to deliver class materials and assignments. | | | | traditional campus experience complete with dorm life |
| Other online programs may require occasional | | | | and football on Saturday, an online degree might not |
| on-campus classroom time for exams or lab work. | | | | be right for you. |
| The college offering the courses may be located | | | | Perception of online degrees. Many online universities |
| near you, or on the other side of the country. | | | | are as respected as their "bricks-and-mortar" |
| College Degrees Available Online | | | | counterparts. However, some future employers might |
| There are many online degree programs available. | | | | be less impressed by an online degree versus a |
| Some online schools offer two-year associate | | | | traditional one. |
| degrees and certificates in specific careers such as | | | | Writing skills required. Pursuing an online education will |
| healthcare, business or computer science. Online | | | | require written communication with your teachers |
| universities also allow students to pursue a bachelor's | | | | and fellow students through emails or chat room |
| or master's degree, an MBA or even a PhD. With a | | | | postings. Weak writing skills may place you at a |
| little research you will find the right program for you. | | | | disadvantage. |
| Benefits of Online Education | | | | Independent learning. Many students thrive on |
| Convenience. Online courses offer the ability to take | | | | independent work and don't want or need in-person |
| classes when and where you want. For adult | | | | attention and reminders. Other students will not fair |
| students who work full time or have family | | | | so well in such an environment. Be sure you have the |
| obligations this can be a huge bonus. | | | | self-discipline and initiative to be successful in an online |
| Scheduling flexibility. Most college online programs | | | | program. |
| allow you to take as little as one class at a time, | | | | |