Online Degree Programs

Finding the right online degree or certificate program can be challenging. There are a wide range of options and programs that you should consider before deciding which program is right for you. When looking for a program to enroll in, it is important to know what you want to study and what kind of degree you are trying to attain.

While online programs are widely accessible, there are different levels of degrees available and you may have to complete the lower degrees before you can move on to a higher level. For example, your bachelor’s degree is necessary in order to start a master’s program. In order to obtain your Ph.D., you may have to have already completed your master’s degree. To learn more about the different ways online degree and certificate programs can benefit you and how employers view these degrees and certificates, refer to the sections below.

Certificates

If you are pursuing a certificate online, you should know that certificates are now offered in a diverse set of disciplines, such as business and education or art and sciences. If you want to receive career training in a field that does not require a degree, participating in a certificate program is a great choice. You can expect certificate programs to utilize technology to facilitate distant learning. As opposed to degree programs, certificate programs usually offer a curriculum that is shorter and more focused. Certificate programs are highly customized and allow you to complete the coursework in a short amount of time, whereas degree programs can take years to complete. If you want to focus on a certain skill or interest, certificates are a good option. Online certificate programs are also great if you have a busy schedule because they are more flexible and can fit into almost any schedule. While you can complete your certificate on a campus, online programs also allow you to learn the same material without having to drive to a certain location. The online programs will likely follow the exact curriculum as the instruction courses. Instead of hearing the lectures in person, you will likely receive them through video or audio recordings, usually available through the class website. Similar to degrees, certificate programs are available for a wide variety of subjects. With degree programs you have to complete core courses in math, English and social sciences. Online certificate programs only require you to take courses in the field that you are studying. If you want to pursue a discipline-specific field related to academia, you can enroll in undergraduate certificate programs as well. Online certificate programs are quickly becoming more popular. When you consider costs and time spent obtaining a certificate versus a degree, the benefits of getting a certificate are clear.

There are two types of online universities, those that only offer education online and those with physical campuses that also offer online course options. There is also a wide range of majors and minors that you can study online. Associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees can all be obtained online as long as the school that you are studying through is accredited. You should also keep in mind that online programs are in no way a shortcut to earning your degrees. They allow you more flexibility, but the work is still the same. In order to enroll in a program and stay on top of your work in an online setting, there is a simple set of steps that should be followed:

Choose your program.
Determine your priorities and figure out a pace that works for you.
Enroll in the courses and stay on top of lectures and assignments in each of the classes in which you are enrolled.
Complete the tasks necessary to complete your program, which may require occasional on-campus activities, such as meeting with a group for a project.

Following these steps will set you up for the most success while completing your courses. Depending on whether or not you live or work near the campus, you may also want to attend events on campus. If you are considering enrolling in a Ph.D. program, chances are you already know the amount of work that goes into getting the degree. The higher the degree level, the more work you can expect. Ph.Ds. can be quite difficult to obtain through a traditional sense if you already have a full-time job or have other responsibilities. This is why online programs are so helpful. You can complete the courses at any time of the day. Ultimately, you must determine if an online education is for you, as some benefits of an online course may be a detriment to someone else.

It is important to note that choosing an online degree program is a big decision. Whether you are going back to school or this is your first time pursuing a degree, you need to consider which degree program will cater to your needs. Today, many universities offer online classes, but if you look hard enough you can also find full degree programs that are offered online as well. While you may think online education programs are more popular among individuals who are older and have more responsibilities, it is actually younger students who are choosing the online degree route more often. You should also keep in mind that getting your degree online is not always inexpensive. Depending on the program, you could actually end up paying more than you would with a traditional course, especially if you need to invest in new technology for the course.

Employers and Online Degrees

It is common for people to have the misconception that online degree programs do not measure up when compared to on-campus programs and become nervous when searching for a job. Employers respect online degrees more now than ever and are embracing them. In previous years, the traditional route of going to a physical institution was preferred over receiving a degree from an online university but that is no longer the case. Today, you can obtain any type of work with an online degree just as you could with a degree from attending an institution physically. Many employers today are not against receiving a certificate instead of a degree either, as long as the degree is applicable to the job. Certificates are very popular and widely acceptable for those wanting to go into the fields of project management and data analytics.

By Admin – October 2018