| Number one, and the most obvious advantage to | | | | enrolling, listen to what they have to say, and if they |
| education is Money, but it could be getting that job | | | | don't answer these basic questions then ask, where |
| you have always wanted. Our daughter wanted to | | | | classes are held, if they're completely online or on |
| be a teacher and recently she earned her Masters | | | | campus and online? If you are not sure of the field |
| Degree, online in teaching. Not only did she get the | | | | of study you should be in, ask if the school offers |
| job she wanted, her pay was a lot higher than if she | | | | career testing, this will narrow down what area of |
| had not pursued her Masters. The average increase in | | | | study you should concentrate in. Also, ask about |
| pay for a Masters Degree from a Bachelors Degree | | | | financing, see what type of financial aid they have |
| is $7,000 - $15,000 per year for teaching, multiple | | | | and scholarship programs that could apply to you. |
| that by the number of years she will be teaching, | | | | There is plenty of financing out there for you, it is |
| and you can easily see the benefits of online | | | | just a matter of finding it, and ask your boss if they |
| schooling. Statistics show that a person with a | | | | pay for any educational programs. |
| Masters Degree earns $31,900 more per year on | | | | Other questions to ask a counselor: |
| average than a high school graduate, that is a | | | | How many online courses does the school offer? |
| difference of about 105%! | | | | How long has the school been offering courses |
| Average Annual Earnings for College Graduates and | | | | online? |
| Non-Graduates: | | | | What is the student to instructor ratio? |
| Professional Degree $109,600 per year | | | | What are the direct costs to take courses from the |
| Doctoral Degree $89,400 | | | | school? |
| Masters Degree $62,300 | | | | What is the schools refund policy? |
| Bachelors Degree $52,200 | | | | What type of financial aid is available to you? - Again, |
| Associate Degree $38,200 | | | | this is a very important question, you want to find |
| Some College $36,800 | | | | out what types of aid is available (grants, |
| High School Graduate $30,400 | | | | scholarships, loans), their sources (federal, state, |
| Some High School $23,400 | | | | institutional), and whether you meet the eligibility |
| Average Annual Earnings-Different Levels of | | | | criteria. |
| Education. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current | | | | Does the school accept transfer credits? |
| Population Surveys, March 1998, 1999, and 2000. | | | | Does the school accept test credits? |
| As you can plainly see, a person with a Bachelors | | | | Does the school require you to spend time on |
| Degree will earn, just about twice as much as | | | | campus? |
| workers with a high school diploma over a lifetime | | | | What are the student services that will be available |
| ($2.1 million compared to $1.2 million). | | | | to you if you enroll? Many colleges offer tutorial |
| Workers-Life Earnings for Full-Time Employees, | | | | services, career planning, and general counseling to |
| Including College Graduates and Non-Grads: (In $ | | | | students on-campus. Find out if these services are |
| Millions) | | | | available to you as a distance learning student. |
| Professional Degree $4.4 million | | | | What are the job-placement rates for graduates of |
| Doctoral Degree $3.4 | | | | the programs you'll be taking? |
| Master Degree $2.5 | | | | How will lectures be conducted? |
| Bachelor Degree $2.1 | | | | How will you be expected to submit assignments and |
| Associate Degree $1.6 | | | | collaborate with other students? |
| Some College $1.5 | | | | What is the dropout rate for the programs you will |
| High School Graduate $1.2 | | | | be taking? |
| Some High School $1.0 | | | | What is the graduation rate for the same programs? |
| Average Lifetime Earnings-Different Levels of | | | | Advantageous to online schooling: |
| Education. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current | | | | Setting your own schedule - not having to be in class |
| Population Surveys, March 1998, 1999, and 2000. | | | | at a certain time. |
| So, how do you get from here to Master? There are | | | | No drive time - saving you time and money. |
| numerous ways, but the first step is that you need | | | | Studies - you can complete most of the coursework |
| to get started. | | | | when it is convenient for you. |
| You can go to any online schooling educational portal, | | | | In conclusion: Remember schools make their profit by |
| or a college of your choice, and do a search for | | | | working with you, they need you, and we all know |
| online classes in the career field you are interest you. | | | | that everybody benefits from a higher education, but |
| We suggest that you contact at least three schools, | | | | you'll have the biggest benefit of all, the knowledge |
| because, they will each have different criteria and | | | | and a diploma. |
| programs. When the counselor calls you about | | | | |