If you are reading this post, it is highly possible that you are toying with the idea of signing up for an online college, but perhaps you don’t have a lot of experience studying online, if at all.
WHAT IS AN ONLINE DEGREE?
According to Wikitionary, "An online degree is an academic degree (usually a college degree, but sometimes the term includes high school diplomas and non-degree certificate programs) that can be earned primarily or entirely through the use of an Internet-connected computer, rather than attending college in a traditional campus setting."
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER AN ONLINE DEGREE?
Online degrees are mostly for;
- Students who live a busy life.
- Students in rural areas, that need better education than the ones their colleges can offer.
- Students who want an International degree, but want to cut short on spending.
Earning any degree through an online college provides the same benefits as any other four-year or more program, but often at a lower price.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET AN ONLINE DEGREE?
The length of time to complete an online degree at any online colleges is affected by many deciding factors.
Some online schools offer accelerated formats with shorter terms, while others stick to the traditional 16-week semester schedule.
If you decide to pursue a standard bachelor’s degree full-time via online learning, you can expect to finish in approximately four years. The majority of programs require 120 to 128 credit hours to graduate, which is equivalent to 15-16 credits per term for a full-time student.
Read also: Top 10 Most Affordable Online Colleges
HOW MUCH DOES AN ONLINE DEGREE COST?
Tuition rates are one of the most important factors to consider as you weigh the total cost of a bachelor’s program, but sticker price is not the only financial burden students bear. In addition to tuition and fees, students must also account for other common costs, such as living expenses, textbooks, transportation, housing, and interest rates accrued on any student loans.
Collegeboard found that tuition and fees for community colleges was $3,520 during the 2016-2017 school year, compared to $9,650 for state school tuition and $33,480 to attend a private university. Completing the first two years of a degree at a community college can have significant savings.
Benefits Of Studying Online.
1. Progressing In Your Career While You Study.
Studying online gives you more flexibility. You can work and fit your work schedule (and your hobbies) around your coursework more easily; even more so if you are taking an asynchronous class: an online class where you don’t have to log in at a specific time for a live session but you can study and interact with your instructor and your fellow classmates at your own pace through, for example, the discussion forum.
In a survey conducted by The Learning House , 44% of online students reported improvements in their employment standing, for example by obtaining a full-time job within 12 months of graduation, and 45% reported a salary increase.
By the time you finish your online course, you will have gained more work experience and learned new skills that will help you advance in your career!
By studying online, you choose your own learning environment that works best for your needs: be it your bedroom, your study, the café across the street, or your local gym, listening to your instructor’s lecture podcast as you run on the treadmill. Isn’t that awesome?
Taking an online course also means that you don’t have to commute to class, which means less time spent on the bus and more study time sitting on your couch, the sound of a crackling fireplace in the background. You no longer have to worry about driving in the snowstorm and missing an important class!
3. Lower costs and debts
Studying online means that you pay the tuition fee, possibly book supplies, an online application fee, and few other items. You don’t, however, incur the costs of housing ( which can range from $10,000 to $12,000 per year ) and transportation, which translates to lower debts and more savings.
4. Self-discipline and responsibility
Who says that having to be more self-disciplined is a disadvantage? It is true that studying online requires more self-motivation and time-management skills , because you will spend a lot of time on your own without someone physically close to keep you focused on deadlines. Look at it this way: your online course will not only teach you geology or poetry, it will also help you become more self-motivated, a trait that will make you stand out in the workplace and beyond. It will look great on your résumé.
5. More choice of course topics
Let’s face it, when thinking about what to study, besides for interest and career opportunities, where to study is also a deciding factor. This may limit the choice of subjects or courses to take. Studying online at your own convenience allows you to no longer worry about class location when choosing what to learn next. By taking an online course, you can really focus on the subject you are interested in and choose from the variety of online courses and programs.
WHERE CAN YOU GET AN ONLINE DEGREE?
Online Degrees are acquirable in almost all top colleges.
Note: The used currency is USD.
Conclusion:
If you are still deciding whether or not to take an online degree, I think the perfect way to end the conflict is for you to weigh yourself using the normal degree and online degree, you should try to see the one that fits your present and expected future status.
If you have any questions or comments, drop them in the comment box.
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