| Are you considering advanced education, but are a | | | | schools will cough up the dough because it classifies a |
| little apprehensive of online education? Below are the | | | | school on a higher tier than non-accredited institutions. |
| top ten myths about online degree programs- | | | | Fact: Be sure that you've chosen a school with |
| disproved! After reading this, you won't want to wait | | | | proper credentials to ensure your hard work towards |
| to find the best online program that's right for you. | | | | a degree is not wasted. |
| Myth #1 They're the same as a textbook | | | | Myth #6 No personal attention in the virtual |
| Online degree programs tend to be more | | | | classroom |
| comprehensive than a textbook. Most textbooks are | | | | Just because you're not in a classroom with other |
| usually written by one or two professionals, and are | | | | students and a teacher, it does not mean that you |
| not always updated each year. With online degree | | | | have to sacrifice personal attention. Many teachers of |
| programs, you have the opportunity to work with | | | | online courses leave a questions and comments |
| professors, many of whom are still working in the | | | | section at the end of a lesson and provide their email |
| field as well as teaching. A textbook course only | | | | addresses for students to contact them. |
| provides one point of view and expects the student | | | | Fact: Virtual classrooms provide quicker, more direct |
| to accept that view as the correct one. | | | | communication and eliminate noisy distractions. |
| Fact: Online professors offer variety of viewpoints on | | | | Myth #7 Credits don't transfer to traditional colleges |
| the subject, and are able to communicate with you | | | | Every on-campus college and university has its own |
| on these topics through e-mails and papers submitted | | | | policies regarding credit transfers. If you are planning |
| online. | | | | to transfer to a traditional school after completing an |
| Myth #2 They require constant attachment to your | | | | online degree program, be sure to contact |
| computer | | | | administration officials before beginning the course to |
| Online programs require quite the opposite! In fact, | | | | ensure that all of your new credits will transfer. |
| once you have enrolled in a program, you are able to | | | | Fact: Be sure to send your official transcript to the |
| work at your own pace - unlike a campus university | | | | desired school for approval of credits. |
| where class schedules are predetermined by the | | | | Myth #8 Online is always cheaper |
| professor and availability of a classroom. When | | | | Online programs may be less expensive than a |
| learning through online programs, your classroom can | | | | private institution, especially one that's located in |
| be wherever you are - home, work, vacation, it's up | | | | another state or country than the once in which you |
| to you! | | | | reside. But not all schools are created equal. Some |
| Fact: You no longer need to stick to a set schedule; | | | | online schools may cost more than others, or may |
| log on whenever you have time! | | | | include hidden fees. Be sure to select a school that |
| Myth #3 Employers won't accept online degrees | | | | fits your budget. |
| According to Careerbuilder.com, "This may once have | | | | Fact: Research multiples schools and their costs to |
| been the case, but online degree programs are now | | | | ensure you've found the best, most affordable |
| rightly perceived to be topical, challenging and highly | | | | program. |
| relevant. They are designed with the needs of | | | | Myth #9: No supplementary resources for the online |
| working adult learners in mind and are developed in | | | | student |
| consultation with experienced professionals in industry | | | | Online courses don't always depend on the internet; |
| and business to ensure that students learn concepts | | | | some online schools will include textbooks as |
| and methods that are immediately applicable in their | | | | additional resources. If you are looking for additional |
| work environment." | | | | information, be sure to ask the professor or school |
| Fact: A study conducted by says 61% of employers | | | | for extra information, books and resources that will |
| accept online degrees. | | | | help you in your studies. |
| Myth #4 Online = faster, easier & less credible | | | | Fact: Before you spend, check your local library for |
| Online degrees can be faster to earn, but for the | | | | relevant resources. |
| most part, they take almost as much time as | | | | Myth #10: You must be computer-savvy |
| on-campus degrees; when you factor in the work | | | | Online courses do not require previous technical |
| schedules of most students, this prevents students | | | | knowledge, or be able to understand how a |
| from devoting the entire day towards their online | | | | computer works (unless, of course, that's your |
| degree. This in no way makes an online degree less | | | | degree!). In fact, most schools generally only require |
| credible than an on-campus degree. | | | | the ability to access the internet, your email, and |
| Fact: says, "Employers are impressed by the initiative, | | | | additionally resources that you'd like to use |
| ambition and self-motivation demonstrated by an | | | | throughout the courses. |
| employee who takes advantage of the Internet to | | | | Aside from earning a degree, online programs help |
| develop their knowledge and their career." | | | | the student to become more comfortable with many |
| Myth #5 All accredited schools are created equal | | | | computer programs and emerging technologies. |
| It may seem that all online schools have been | | | | Fact: Daily online use will only increase your familiarity |
| accredited or are accredited equally. But beware; it's | | | | with the computers and their capabilities. |
| important to ensure that the online school you are | | | | Now that we've uncovered the truth about online |
| enrolled in has been accredited by a proper institution. | | | | colleges and degree programs, enroll in an online |
| reveals if your school has been accredited. Though | | | | degree today! |
| accreditation process is difficult and costly, most | | | | |