The Benefits of Online Degree Programs

My husband and I recently enrolled in an online university in order to obtain our bachelor degrees. Many factors led to why we chose an online degree program over a more traditional brick and mortar approach, most importantly is the amount of flexibility offered by online degree programs. My husband works full-time outside of the house, and I am a stay-at-home mom who also home schools, I need to be here for my children at all hours both day and night.

In researching various schools and programs, we found that an online degree program offered us everything we wanted: an education, and the flexibility to maintain our current lifestyle while obtaining our degrees. We took into account the strict discipline needed to adhere to the guidelines and rules of the school, and looked at the time we needed to devote each day to our educational pursuits.

Online degree programs have come under a lot of scrutiny lately, so how do you tell which program and school is accredited and which could possibly be a diploma mill? Your initial search should start at the U.S. Department of Education's web site on school accreditation, which you can find a link to here: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

The web site above explains all you need to know about accreditation and the importance of finding an accredited school. An accredited school means you can apply for and obtain financial aid through the Federal Government, without that accreditation the school is nothing more than a diploma mill. Obtaining a degree from an unaccredited school could also cost you in the future, as you may not be able to obtain employment, given that many employers do look for the school accreditation.

When considering an online school it is also important to look at your lifestyle and your daily activities. Are you someone who is a self-starter, someone who just does things without needing someone to look over your shoulder? If so, then an online program may be the right fit for you. In an online program there is no one looking over your shoulder, no one reminding you that homework are due or that you need to read certain chapters of textbooks, instead you receive a schedule of assignments and due-dates but it is up to the student to hand assignments in on time. There is little in the way of forgiveness when it comes to late assignments and little tolerance for students who are repeatedly late with their assignments.

Another factor to consider is your need for interaction. Can you handle and thrive in an environment where all discussions and interactions occur via the Internet? The lectures in an online classroom do not involve a professor standing at the front of the class talking, instead the lectures are in text format, and it is up to the student to read them. Students post their assignments to a discussion forum which allows for comments by both the professor and other students, and each course takes approximately 6 weeks to complete, setting a fast pace for most online programs. In an online college, students facilitate discussions about assignments amongst themselves, with little involvement from professors. Yes, some professors take an active role in promoting further discussion in addition to offering feedback on assignments that helps strengthen the student's understanding. For the most part though students discuss assignments with their peers and learn from each other.

You can and will have both good and bad professors in an online setting just like a brick and mortar college, how you handle the situation is vastly different though. I remember one of my first courses involved a professor who created a very unwelcoming environment for any student she did not consider a "favorite". This not only created problems in receiving answers to questions but also left many feeling inferior to the one student she chose as her favorite. It came to the point where many of us felt like we were in high school rather than a college, and led to many hard feelings.

In a brick and mortar college the above situation is easy to remedy through face-to-face discussions, however in an online setting you will find your choices limited to either a phone conversation or email. One thing many students in an online college do not take advantage of is the Academic Advisor, and the role he or she plays in a successful college career. It is important to learn about all your options when it comes to a negative experience and know the ways you can remedy the situation through the help provided by the school. In my situation, I was able to call my advisor who in-turn put me in contact with the program director; this led to changes how the professor behaved towards all students and how she treated every student.

The most important thing you can do, as a prospective student is to ask questions. Find out about job placement-(Common in many technical programs)-and the resources offered to students. Ask about accreditation and about any help offered for disabilities, or tutoring. It is important to realize that most online colleges involve students and professors from all lifestyles, all with varying experience in their chosen field. Many who attend online universities and colleges are already working in their chosen field, and want to further their knowledge and education. Do not feel inferior if it is your first time, instead use their experiences as a guide to help you progress through school. Take advantage of all support offered by the school and never feel that you are closed off from anyone, in fact you may find yourself learning about other cultures and countries due to the interaction you receive during your courses.

I find that the benefits of an online degree program are numerous. The flexibility offered allows me time with my children while also providing me with the opportunity to pursue my educational and career goals. I also find the interaction vast, with little regards to some of the negative aspects found in a brick and mortar college. Things like physical looks, or how one dresses are unimportant in an online environment, gone is the judging based upon ones status in life. In an online program, a student will find that the importance is education, and that everyone is there for the same reason: to obtain a degree and further his or her education.