Are Online Degrees Worth the Cost?

As the number of colleges and universities offering online degrees continues to increase, and as more and more people enroll in online degree programs, questions are raised about the value of degrees earned via online education and the acceptance of such degrees as compared to those earned through traditional classroom study.

It is possible to point to research indicating that students earn equally well in online and in classroom-based instruction, there is research indicating that traditional programs result in better learning outcomes, and there is data which suggests that online learners take more away from their experience than students in traditional campus-based programs.

Thus, it seems likely that broad generalizations about the quality or perceived value of online degree programs will not be useful to people considering them. What might prove more valuable is an analysis of their individual situation, with particular emphasis on their educational and/or vocational goals. Of course, students should always limit their choices to fully accredited institutions, whether they plan to pursue a degree online or attend a traditional college or university.

In choosing a degree program...any degree program...it is important to be clear about your goals. Are you primarily interested in personal development or do you hope to pursue a new career or move forward in a current one? Is it important to accelerate the rate at which you earn a degree or can you move forward at a more leisurely pace? Do you seek licensure or certification, and if so, what is required and by what agencies or organizations? In addition to institutional accreditation, is professional accreditation an issue? Only after these and related questions are answered can you begin to determine which institutions and degree programs make sense for you.

Convenience is, of course, another important consideration. Many working adults, in particular, have limited time to travel to and from a campus, and it can be difficult, given life's other demands, to be tied to a fixed class schedule. For folks with these challenges, online degree programs are often a clear choice. Online education may also offer more opportunities for applying previously earned credits, including those for life experience, which might in turn make it easier to earn an accelerated degree.

Most students also have to consider finances. Years ago, that consideration favored traditional degree programs, because few colleges offered aid to their online students. Today, however, most colleges and university award financial aid to qualified students, and some offer academic scholarships as well.

Online degree programs are attractive for many reasons; convenience, affordability, and flexibility among them. And, it's not hard to find educators, business people, engineers, and others who will tell you they would not be where they are without the degree they earned in an online program. How are online degrees seen by employers? That can be a tough question to answer with a generalization.

You might best answer the question by contacting folks in your profession, especially those who are in charge of hiring and promoting, and ask them if an online degree would serve you well. Ask if they have found qualitative differences between students who have sat in a classroom and those who have availed themselves of online education. And, when speaking with admissions counselors at the institutions you are considering, ask them for placement information. While you're at it, be sure your admissions counselor addresses any licensure or certification concerns you may have.

It's important to factor in your level of motivation, your learning style, and your academic strengths and weaknesses when making your final decision about pursuing a degree online or on-campus. It might be smart to take a single course online to see how well suited you are to distance education before making a final decision.

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

Daniel Z. Kane has worked at schools and colleges for 30+ years. He has created nearly a dozen educational websites on online college degrees and online colleges to assist students, counselors, and parents.

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