Do you have a desire to continue your education but are just not sure how to fit it into your busy schedule? Or perhaps you want to finish a degree but live too far from a college to make the drive for classes. Whatever your situation, do not be discouraged. Distance learning makes it possible for almost anyone to take a class or work toward a degree regardless of where they live.

Distance learning is becoming increasingly popular in higher education. Educators and administrators realize that people are busy and that gaining a traditional education is not realistic for everyone. Distance learning makes it possible for people of all ages to complete a variety of classes toward degrees of many kinds.

Distance learning can take place over the Internet through online courses or by correspondence through the mail. Having access to the Internet is definitely helpful, but it is certainly not required. All you really need is an address and a mailbox and you can be well on your way to finishing a degree.

If learning from home sounds like it might work for you, begin to research different colleges and universities that offer distance learning as an option for students. A simple internet search or a search at your local library should be able to highlight appropriate schools for you in no time. You will have to consider too what kind of degree or program you hope to study in. Don't rush into studying something until you have explored many options.

A great thing about distance learning is that you can continue with the rest of your life while taking classes. You do not have to stop working, change jobs, or stop spending time with your family and friends. With distance learning you can take as few or as many classes as you want to. Some times in your life may be too busy for more than one class but at other times you may be able to fit in two or three distance learning classes. Distance learning is flexible and it allows you to be in control of your schedule. You will have to look hard to find an option that is as flexible and accommodating as distance learning.

Is there a specific program or degree that you have always dreamed about studying? If so, now is the time. Let online learning make your educational dreams come true while keeping your life simple and easy. 

Get more information about online degree programs now!

Very often we are asked if online degree programs are of the same quality as their traditional on-campus counterparts.  In past years the perception has been that online distance learning was not at the same level as campus classroom situations.  This is simply not the case.  Not only are online degree programs a good choice, they are widely accepted by employers, these days.

Online education is a proven model for learning, with a lengthy track record. It enables accredited higher learning for individuals living with physical disabilities, busy working class people, soldiers and those living abroad, and stay at home parents to mention a few. There is fundamentally little difference between physically sitting in an auditorium listening to lectures versus watching a webcast video of the professor.

The recognition of the quality of online degrees compared to on-campus degrees varies. While most major online colleges are regionally accredited, the public perception of their quality is in dispute. Some experts argue that degrees in certain fields are more accepted online than in others, while some programs are less suited for online-only schools.^[1]

A survey by the Distance Education and Training Council found that 100 percent of employers who responded felt that distance education program graduates performed better on the job as a result of their degree (as compared to their previous performance). Additionally, employers felt that an employee receiving a distance education degree compared favorably, in terms of knowledge learned, to someone with a resident degree.^[2] On the other hand, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported in January 2007 on a Vault Inc. survey that found 55 percent of employers preferred traditional degrees over online ones. 41%, however, said they would give "equal consideration to both types of degrees."^[3]

The Sloan Consortium, an organization funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to maintain and improve the quality of distance education, publishes regular reports on the state of distance education in the U.S. In its 2006 report "Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006," it stated that "in 2003, 57 percent of academic leaders rated the learning outcomes in online education as the same or superior to those in face-to-face. That number is now 62 percent, a small but noteworthy increase."^[4]

In some instances, an online degree may be no different than a degree earned in a campus-based program. The instruction is often exactly the same, and the online degree contains no special designation. An example of this is the degree offered to Columbia University students who earn a degree through the Columbia Video Network (CVN) versus the campus-based program.^[5]

References:

1. ↑ New York Times, "Degrees of Acceptance"
2. ↑ http://www.detc.org/downloads/UsingYour%20DE%20to%20Earn%20Degree.pdf
3. ↑ Chronicle of Higher Education, "Employers Often Distrust Online Degrees"
4. ↑ Sloan Consortium
5. ↑ About Business Majors

^{source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_degrees}

Have you ever questioned if the online college degree ads you see on TV and in publications are true?  Can you truely acquire the education that will get you career advancement or get you a job in a career that you have simply dreamed of? The job market has grown intensely competitive, and there may well be no better occasion than now to obtain your college degree or add to your education.  Because individuals cannot quit their current job to go to school, an online college degree appears to be the perfect solution.

The excellent news is that online college degrees are growing more widespread in a very competitive education market. You should commit yourself to a little investigation beforehand, but if you are clear in your ambition, there is every reason to conclude that an online college degree will assist you as much as a diploma from a traditional university. Read this article »