| Lots of people are turning to online university and | | | | credit for work experience in some cases. This |
| college degree programs to further their education, | | | | means that if you have previous work experience in |
| and there are plenty of high quality accredited online | | | | the field of your studies, you may be able to actually |
| schools that are available to choose from. But before | | | | shorten your education requirements for a degree |
| you choose an online school for your own education, | | | | and graduate early, perhaps in as little as 12 to 18 |
| you should be aware of some of the challenges and | | | | months. Of course, you'll have to check with each |
| benefits common to distance learning. | | | | respective online school to see what their |
| The benefits are many to be sure, but perhaps the | | | | requirements are for previous work experience. |
| one advantage that appeals to most people is that | | | | A very obvious benefit of getting an online degree is |
| you can take your classes and study when and | | | | the savings in both time and money with regard to |
| where you want. This is a distinct benefit to many | | | | traveling back and forth from classes. Since all of |
| people, especially those who are pursuing an | | | | your classes are taken online, you can actually do the |
| advanced degree while still working a full time job. | | | | vast majority of your study right from home. Or you |
| Trying to attend classes, fit in your study and | | | | may choose a local coffee shop or the library for a |
| homework time, and still get your job done at the | | | | nice change of pace at times. |
| same time can be almost maddening. But online | | | | The disadvantages of online education primarily has |
| schools allow you to take your courses at your own | | | | to do with how self disciplined you are in your daily |
| pace and fit them into your daily schedule wherever | | | | schedule. If you find that procrastination is often an |
| it makes most sense for you. | | | | issue that you have to deal with, then you may have |
| Another benefit of online degree programs is that | | | | more of a difficult time getting an online degree as |
| they allow you to learn at your own particular pace. | | | | there will be no one but you to keep you on track in |
| It's common knowledge that people often differ in | | | | your studies. And since you have total control over |
| their learning speed. That can be a frustration for | | | | your class schedule and study time, you'll need to |
| many in a normal classroom as those who learn fast | | | | exercise self discipline and keep a regular study |
| may quickly become bored, and those who learn | | | | schedule without being distracted by other activities. |
| more slowly may not be able to keep up. Since most | | | | Obviously then, the benefits of pursuing an online |
| classes are geared toward the average learner, there | | | | degree program are many, while the disadvantages |
| can be several people in the class who may be | | | | are relatively few. And for those who can take |
| frustrated with the learning pace. However, distance | | | | advantage of the benefits, an online education can be |
| learning solves most of those problems as it allows | | | | a relatively quick and inexpensive way to get your |
| each student to set their own study pace instead. | | | | degree. |
| Online colleges and universities often will also allow | | | | |