Across the globe, at any hour of the day, adult learners are firing up their laptops to access virtual classrooms, each in pursuit of an education that will improve their skills – and perhaps lead to career advancement. Increasingly, students worldwide are tackling demanding coursework, interacting with professors and collaborating on group projects through universities without walls.
Results from the 2010 Sloan Survey of Online Learning point to the growing popularity and acceptance of online universities. The survey of 2,500 colleges and universities shows that enrollment rose by nearly 1 million students from the previous year, to approximately 5.6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in the fall of 2009 (the most recent data available).
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Numbers like this suggest that working professionals and adult learners are fully embracing the online education option to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees or professional certifications in a wide variety of academic disciplines. At the same time, more top-rated colleges and universities are adding to their distance learning options, and reaching out to potential students in every corner of the world.
With online universities, geographic limitations are no longer a factor; prospective online students have the choice to enroll in a program in their state, across the country or on the opposite side of the globe. So, how do you select from the hundreds of available choices?
Choosing the right online school for your current career, or the one you wish to transition into, isn’t difficult when you know what to look for. The tips below are designed to help you navigate through the large number of online programs and settle on the one that perfectly suits your needs and career goals.
Check the School’s Accreditation
Accreditation ensures that a college or university’s academic programming, faculty, and educational offerings meet a standard set of qualifications, set by a national or regional accrediting body. For online learners, accreditation status is important, not only to instill confidence in the quality of the education you will receive, but because prospective employers will likely review your academic credentials. When you graduate from an accredited institution, they will know you have demonstrated a level of skill and fulfilled all the requirements to earn your degree.
In addition, transferring credits may be easier when they are earned from accredited degree programs. Generally, regionally accredited institutions accept credits from other regionally accredited schools. In academia, accreditation and reputation do matter.
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Consider the Program’s Reputation for Excellence
For every career choice, there is a short list of programs that will give you the best start or chance for advancement. Narrow your focus to these programs, and then research which colleges and universities are best known in these fields.
For example, if you are pursuing a business career, you may be planning on enrolling in a master’s in business administration program. With online education, you can choose a university with a stellar reputation for its MBA program, like U.S. News and World Report-ranked University of North Carolina. Even if you live a thousand miles from Chapel Hill and can’t stop working at your job, you can gain the advantage of a highly recognized MBA from a top-notch university, like UNC.
If you’re a nurse who’s thinking about going into nursing education, you can become one of the proud graduates of Georgetown University’s School of Nursing through online education. No matter where you live, you can access this top-ranked nursing program, and gain the confidence that comes with its reputation for excellence.
And for educators who know that an advanced degree can prepare you to succeed in today’s demanding academic environment, Perdue University is well known for its Master’s in Education programs. Earning a master’s from Perdue could put you on the path to a leadership role in education.
Your online school should provide an excellent educational experience in your program of choice. But a great reputation won’t do you much good if you can’t get the help you need from your professors or the university’s support staff.
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Find Out About Staff and Faculty Support
Attending online classes may seem like a lonely proposition – but it’s not, when you have proper support from your online school of choice. It’s important to find out if the school’s online students receive the same attention as traditional classroom students. In the process of your research, monitor how quickly your inquiries and emails are answered. And ask plenty of questions, such as:
Choosing an Online School
- Are online instructors attuned to the needs of adult distance students?
- Is there an online chat feature for full integration into the classroom?
- Will the student be interfacing with professors and fellow students?
- Is there an on-demand tech support program to help when you run into a glitch?
- Does the school offer job placement services after you graduate?
If your prospective school can answer “yes” to these questions, it’s a good sign they take online education seriously, and dedicate a team to serving their online students. It shows they care about your success and their reputation. If you’ll be a working student, you’ll need all the support you can get, so carefully consider this aspect of online universities.
Determine Whether You Can Transfer Your Credits
Our final tip is for students who have accumulated credits by attending college courses or earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Determine which online universities will accept your credits for transfer. Order official transcripts from each institution you’ve earned credits from and provide them to prospective schools. You may have more or fewer credits to put toward your online degree than you expect, depending on the school’s requirements. This may affect your final choice.
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Choosing a School for Your Online Degree Program
If you’re ready to advance in your profession by advancing your education, you don’t have to wait for the opportunity to go to school. Now, a quality program from a top-ranked school can come to you – anytime, no matter where you live. The right online school for your career is accessible with an Internet connection – and with technology that delivers an engaging, interactive experience to each student. And remember, when you choose the right online program, there is no difference between a degree earned online and one earned on a campus.