Online Education: How it Works

Most adults agree that a college education is necessary not only for entry into many professions, but also for career advancement. Yet whether or not to return to college is a difficult decision to make. Many may feel that they are too old and simply don't have the time. However, research shows that over half of all students are in their 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond. In addition, most universities now offer Internet courses, providing students the opportunity to earn a degree without ever having to step foot in a classroom.

Online education makes it possible to advance your education while continuing to meet family and career obligations. You may read through class materials in the morning before work, on weekends, or at midnight in your pajamas-it's up to you. Keep the following in mind when shopping for a program:

- An online degree granted from a college that also conducts traditional classroom learning is the safest bet.

- Look for regional and national credentials--you want an accredited program.

- Stay clear of "fly-by-night" schools. These "schools" claims to offer degrees in 30 days, have no street address, and require little to no coursework.

The website, www.petersons.com is a great tool in the hunt for an appropriate online school. For each listed school, the site provides:

- Full contact information

- A description of the school and its distance learning program

- Areas of study

- A list of student services

- Credit options

- Admissions procedures

- Fees and financial aid information

You'll also find help with admissions essays, tests, and resumes. Following is an example of schools that can be found at on the web site:

Columbia College

Columbia College is a 150-year-old liberal arts and sciences college. It offers 250 online courses and 5 online degrees.

Degree Programs

- Associate of Arts

- Business Administration (BA, BS, AS)

- Criminal Justice Administration (BA, AS, AS)

- General Studies/Interdisciplinary Studies (BA, AGS)

- Psychology (BA)

Thomas Edison State College

Thomas Edison State College, created in 1972, provides a variety of educational opportunities for adults. The college has been listed in Forbes magazine as one of 20 colleges in the United States that efficiently uses technology to help adults meet their educational goals.

Degree Programs:

- Computer related Associate's degrees

- Bachelor of Arts degrees in History, Humanities, Liberal Studies, Psychology, Social Sciences, and History

Florida State University

Florida State University is a major research university and one of the five largest universities in the nation.

Programs:

- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Social Science, and Nursing

- 13 Master Degrees

University of Illinois

Established 1997, the University of Illinois Online's main goal is to provide high quality online programs. The university has developed over forty-nine online programs.

Programs:

- Bachelor's degrees in computer science, English, history and liberal studies.

- Graduate programs include Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, and Master's degrees in Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Education, and Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.

- Many certificate programs and professional development courses.

Remember that picking the right program is about your unique needs-not every online program is right for every person. But the flexibility might be worth it-and the long-term satisfaction (and potential increased earnings) that come from expanding your education are always worth the effort.