Pros and Cons of Online Degrees and Distance Learning Programs
Online universities and colleges are an important and growing part of the educational landscape. Recent studies by organizations such as the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL) show that almost half of all secondary school students would like to complete their higher education through online degree programs or distance learning courses. Similar studies show that parents, advisors, and educators also favor this trend.
Online education options are typically most appealing to first-time or returning adult students who are already in the workforce and looking to change or advance their careers, earn more money, and improve their job prospects. Such students often have career and family obligations that prevent them from attending on-campus day or evening classes. Online degree programs and distance learning classes allow them to work from home on a computer, providing the flexibility they need.
Some courses do require scheduled online "meetings," but most of them allow you to work at your own pace and on your own schedule. Teachers typically outline reading homework and assignments that you can complete at your own speed. Exams, tests and evaluations are given online and when you are ready to take them.
For students eager to experience the social aspect of attending a college or university, online schools are not a good option. Some students may find distance learning to be an isolating experience that lacks enough interaction with professors and other classmates. Additionally, if you are interested in developing skills that require hands-on practice or lab work, online courses are not usually available. However, many colleges and universities allow students to earn their college degrees through a combination of online and on-campus classes.
If you think an online school could be right for you, these should be your next steps:
- Build a "master list" of accredited online schools.
- Identify online degree programs at those accredited schools that meet your needs and career objectives.
- Do some initial research and then cull your online school selections down to a "short list."
- Set up phone appointments to speak to admissions counselors and advisors at those schools to help you narrow down your selections even further. You can also fill out our Degrees.info School Finder Form, identify your areas of interest, and get automatically matched with schools that meet your education parameters.
- Before choosing a final school, get references and reviews from students who have completed the degree programs you’re interested in.
- Choose the online school that best suits your needs, enroll in a degree program, and get started on your way to a better paying job or new career!
You may also be interested in the following resources:
- Are Online Degrees Credible? (Degrees.info)
- Earning a Degree Online (CBS News)
- Get That Degree Online (CareerBuilder.com)
About the author: Martin A. David is professional writer and translator. He has published thousands of articles, fiction and non-fiction books, and translations of classical Danish literature. He is also active as an actor and director in theatre and film.
