| College degrees have long been available by | | | | However, there are questions that are specific to |
| correspondence but with the growth of the internet, | | | | online degree programs. One of the most important, |
| students can now pursue college degrees online. | | | | particularly for graduate-level degrees, is how much |
| There are hundreds of schools offering online | | | | contact you will have with other students. There are |
| programs for everything from Masters Degrees in | | | | two basic types of online degree programs, those |
| Business Administration to advanced degrees in the | | | | where you work at your own pace and those where |
| fine arts. Because of the large number of schools | | | | you are admitted with a cohort, or group of peers, |
| offering online programs, it can be difficult to know | | | | and proceed through the degree program with them. |
| what to look for in a quality program. | | | | One is not necessarily better than the other. The |
| There are two basic types of institutions offering | | | | learning style of the individual student will determine |
| online degrees: Colleges and universities with physical | | | | which type of program fits their needs best. |
| campuses and online-only institutions. Online-only | | | | Accreditation is also an important thing to look for. All |
| institutions do offer single courses, but tend to focus | | | | colleges and universities are required to be accredited |
| on degree programs. Colleges and universities with | | | | by a regional governing body in order for the |
| physical campuses offer both complete degree | | | | degrees they issue to be considered valid. If an online |
| programs and single courses, which are often taken | | | | degree program doesn't give accreditation |
| by on-campus students as well as online-only | | | | information, prospective students should move on to |
| students. | | | | the next program. |
| Many of the same questions students ask when | | | | After determining the credentials and structure of an |
| investigating regular colleges also apply to online | | | | online degree program, prospective students should |
| degree programs. For example, a prospective student | | | | research the details. How can books be purchased? |
| might ask how many courses are taught by graduate | | | | What equipment, software and hardware is required |
| assistants rather than professors. In assessing an | | | | to access the courses? How much time should a |
| online degree, it is equally as important to determine | | | | student expect to spend per course? Is financial aid |
| how many of the courses are taught by full | | | | available? Typically these questions are addressed on |
| professors and how much experience those | | | | the degree program's website. |
| professors have with teaching online courses. | | | | |