Online degree programs are growing faster than ever before. According to the Sloan Consortium, a group that studies online education, approximately 3.2 million students took online courses in the 2005 school year--a big increase over the 2.3 million students studying online just one year earlier. As more students seek out online education programs for their ease and convenience, several non-legitimate online universities have sprung up, making some potential students leery of online school in general.
Not surprisingly, there is a great deal of confusion about online education. Is an online degree program right for you? How do you pick a good one? Do online degree programs qualify for financial aid? Here is what you need to know to make a smart online education decision.
Diploma Mills vs. High Quality Online Degree Programs
Q: What is a "diploma mill" and how can I spot one?
A: Online "diploma mills" are websites that offer degrees without requiring you to complete any coursework. They often advertise degrees earned based on your past life experiences. According to USA Today, diploma mills are a $500 million-a-year industry. For a fee of $50 to $5,000, you can purchase a diploma and transcript from a non-accredited college. Often the colleges exist in name only, and their names are designed to sound like familiar colleges and universities. Penalties for using one of these phony diplomas are mounting. Two states, Oregon and New Jersey, have made it illegal to apply for jobs using bogus degrees. Even those people who are able to snag a job based on false credentials have no guarantee that they can keep it because they have none of the training they would have acquired in a legitimate online degree program.
Q: How do I know that online degree programs I am considering are high quality?
A: First of all, you should check the online school's accreditation status with regional and national accrediting bodies. Accredited programs are carefully examined to make sure that they meet applicable academic standards. The U.S. Department of Education keeps a comprehensive list of accredited schools on their website. Second, find out as much as you can about typical programs of study in your degree area. What courses generally are required to earn a degree? What degree level is necessary for an entry-level job in your chosen field? Ask yourself if the programs you are considering offer the degree and coursework you need.
Online Options
Q: What degree levels are offered by online schools?
A: You can earn an online degree at any educational level, including certificates, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees.
Q: What can I study online?
A: Nearly any subject area you can imagine can be studied online. Popular options include business, technology, healthcare, and education.
The Online Student Body
Q: Who is taking courses online?
A: People from all walks of life are choosing to take online courses for many different reasons. Retirees pick subjects that have always interested them but they never had the chance to study. Soldiers overseas and at home take advantage of military financial aid benefits provided by the U.S. government to pursue online degrees. Businesspeople work toward their degrees in their free time to gain skills that can earn them promotions. Students at brick and mortar universities increasingly take online courses as part of their degree programs.
Q: Why are so many people choosing to take online courses?
A: People choose online degree programs over traditional programs for three main reasons: flexibility, convenience, and financial sense. In most online programs, your work can be completed whenever it is convenient for you, from any location. The programs can be tailored to your own changing timetable, and you are not tied down to a rigid class schedule. Online courses may be fiscally smart because students save on the cost of commuting to college campuses several times a week. Those with families may save on child care as well. Also, it is much easier for students to continue working full-time jobs as they pursue their education.
Financial Aid for an Online Education
Q: What are my financial aid options for online education?
A: Thanks to a recent change in federal law, accredited online education programs now offer you many of the same financial aid options as traditional colleges, such as grants, work-study programs, and low-interest Perkins Loans. Even if you are not a full-time student you may be able to take advantage of some aid money.
Online degree programs are a great boon to many busy people. The key to ensuring that you have a good online education experience is to thoroughly research your options before committing to a program. Whether you enroll for personal enrichment, job growth, or a mid-career change, the key to finding the best program is to do your homework.
