In the world today, online degrees offer the flexibility and convenience many students need to obtain a college education. Unfortunately, many college transcripts fail to show a student’s real-life experience, even if the student has a lot of knowledge in one particular field but no diploma to show for it. In this case, life experience credits can help students receive the recognition they desire and deserve. Life experience degrees can help a student get ahead in the workforce, even if they’ve never obtained a diploma in a particular field of knowledge.  It’s only fair that you be provided with the same opportunities as a student who has obtained experience in a classroom setting instead of the real world.

With life experience credits, you are well on your way to life experience degrees that reflect what you’ve learned outside of the classroom. Whether you’ve taken language classes abroad or worked in a particular field with hands-on experience, there are several distance learning programs that will assess your experience and grant you life experience credits for your work. Not only do life experience degrees credits offer students a chance to be recognized for their work, but it saves time and money because you don’t need to take a course you’ve already mastered elsewhere.

First and foremost, you’ll want to research distance learning schools that will consider granting life experience credits for online degree programs. Also, be sure the school you wish to study from is fully accredited by the proper accreditation boards. Keep in mind that not all distance learning programs will consider life experience credits, but if you look around you are sure to find one that suits your needs. It’s also important to note that there are a lot of scams involving life experience degrees, including “diploma mill” schools that make false claims that a student can receive a degree entirely through life experience credits. If you run into a school that solicits you this way, tread with extreme caution.

Once you’ve found a distance education program that interests you and that offers life experience online degrees credit, you’ll want to contact school officials to see what steps you need to take to apply for these credits. Many online learning programs require students to fill out a life experience application and put together a portfolio of their work experience. Different schools have different requirements as well, so keep in mind when applying for life experience degrees credit you may be asked to provide a list of references, meet with members of the school’s staff or pass a test to receive credit. For more information about online life experience degrees, please visit http://www.speedydegrees.com

Provided the school you are interested in requests a portfolio of your experience, there are several things that may be included for consideration. Naturally, this depends on the subject matter and the life experience you’ve had. For most life experience internet degrees, your portfolio can contain items such as resumes, job descriptions, references, work samples, awards you have received and many more. Once you’ve compiled a portfolio of your work, you’ll want to arrange it in a manner that will convince the College Board that you have sufficient experience to grant you life experience degrees credit.

While going through the life experience degrees process may seem like a lot of work, it’s a much better alternative than paying money for classes you already have sufficient experience in. As long as you are wary of life experience degrees offered through diploma mill schools, you should be able to find an online college that will grant life experience credits for work you’ve completed outside of a classroom. All of the work is worth it, and you will receive the recognition you deserve.

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}

There are so many online degrees available out there. It can be difficult to narrow it down. But there are many great accredited online degree programs that can help you get ahead in your career, or start an entirely new career.

These type of distance learning degrees are perfect for the person who needs to remain working full time. The courses can be completed online at your own pace. There is a lot of support available, if something seems too difficult. You can  finish your degree as quickly as your  time and motivation allow. The online programs will give you an opportunity to gain the skills you will  need to get ahead in a competitive  job market and allow you to keep earning an income at your current job.

Gone are the days when a high school diploma was all you needed to get a good job. While some companies will reimburse their employees for the costs of higher education, new job aspirants are typically required to have a college degree. Consider the following points before you decide whether you should earn your degree.

Personal Achievement

The feeling of achievement and success attached to earning a college degree has not decreased. Parents are happy and proud when their children graduate from college. You will find that you are ready to set higher goals for yourself, and that many new opportunities and doors will be open to you.

Can I Afford to Go Back to School?

Many talented people miss the opportunity to gain higher education thinking that they do not have enough time or money. They don't know about the flexible programs that are available for working adults, including online degree programs.

Manageable Options

Enrollments in online courses is expanding rapidly. However, if you are considering an online college, make sure that it is accredited. Even if an online degree is not on par with Ivy League degrees, online degrees are highly accepted by employers. Typically, the course content, and teaching methods are the same for the online courses as those taught on campus.

Financial Considerations

Monetary concerns should not stand in the way of you and higher education. A federal student's loan makes it possible for you to gain the education you need. And, you can pay for it when you start working. There are other grants and scholarships for which you may qualify, so do your homework and research all the options. But, consider this – are you willing to obtain a loan for a car or other things that you want? If so, then why are you unwilling to invest in your future? Education is something that no one can ever take away from you, and it never diminishes in value.

Summing it All Up

College education is more accessible than ever before, and is required if you want to be competitive in today's job market.
 

If you are looking for good career opportunities that will offer you a life of professional work and income it is a necessity to earn some type of degree.  For many individuals the place to start your education is with online degree programs that are convenient and affordable.  There are many programs and offerings available with an online education.  Most of these college and universities are now fully accredited and widely accepted by employers.  Within a short time period you can earn your degree totally online without ever stepping onto a campus.  This is the perfect solution for those who lead busy lives and do not have the time to attend classes on a regular schedule.