| Getting a bachelor degree online is an excellent way | | | | Consider the math, here. Whether you earn your |
| to combat the skyrocketing cost of fees and other | | | | bachelor degree online or not, you can expect to pay |
| extraneous college expenses, whether you are just | | | | an average of $200 per credit hour. For less than a |
| out of high school or an older, "non-traditional" | | | | tenth of the cost of a year's tuition, it's possible to |
| student returning after time away. Of course, earning | | | | earn a full year of credits through CLEP examinations. |
| an online bachelor degree poses many challenges as | | | | It is however important to understand that some |
| well. In general, however it is a convenient, | | | | colleges limit the number of CLEP credits they will |
| economical and flexible way to get the kind of | | | | accept. Others have no limit; it's worthwhile to do |
| education needed in order to get ahead in the world | | | | some homework beforehand and learn about the |
| today. | | | | various policies different universities and colleges have |
| Getting started is probably the easiest step; there is | | | | on this issue. |
| no shortage of institutions offering college degrees | | | | Once you have completed the lower division work - |
| online. Currently, there are 162 fully accredited | | | | either through CLEP testing or coursework - you are |
| "virtual" universities where one can earn a bachelor | | | | ready to commence your online bachelor degree |
| degree online. Many of these are in fact closely | | | | program. Online course is not unlike taking a course in |
| associated with traditional "brick-and-mortar" | | | | a traditional setting; you will have a professor who |
| universities. | | | | will provide a syllabus (course outline), there will |
| One course of action that can save as much as | | | | usually be class discussions and required readings, and |
| $10,000 is to take freshman and sophomore "general | | | | of course, examinations. The big difference is that |
| education" courses by examination. The name of this | | | | you will do all of this without ever setting foot inside |
| program is the College Level Examination Program, or | | | | a classroom; you may never meet the professor |
| CLEP. This program offers exams in all lower division | | | | face-to-face. |
| subjects; it is possible to complete an Associate's | | | | This said, it's not as lonely as it might seem; thanks |
| degree by examination. The best part is the cost; | | | | to the technological marvels of broadband, webcams, |
| fees for a typical CLEP examination run | | | | instant messaging, chat rooms, online forums and |
| approximately $100, and successful completion of | | | | even podcasting, the student becomes part of a |
| such an exam is worth an average of six credit | | | | global learning community with classmates from all |
| hours. | | | | over the world. |