M. Jedediah asked:


Online learning is a relatively new phenomena delivered courtesy of the availability and pricing of the computer. This new trend in learning, however, is taking off at the speed of light. As more and more students realize the benefits of these courses, distance learning master degrees are becoming more common.

Distance learning master degrees still require all the key features of a degree earned in a classroom setting, but they give students the freedom to live (and earn) a little while they learn. These factors alone account for the biggest reasons why more and more people and more and more universities are seeing distance learning master degrees as viable options for advancing education.

While distance learning programs tend to vary depending on the institution involved, they still require coursework, tests and even major research, especially in the case of the masters programs. Although a student can perform coursework in their bathrobes, these programs do not typically skimp on the workload involved.

Distance learning masters degrees simply provide a new way for students to learn on their own schedules. These programs make it feasible for people already employed in their field of choice to continue doing so while they improve their chances for advanced and higher potential money earning.

These distance learning programs used to be rather limited in their scope. This is not the case any more. As more and more universities realize this is a viable option for solid teaching, especially for students who thrive in this type of setting, the program choices are opening wide up. While some more hands-on degrees might not be available, or in-person course work or labs will still be required, the choice is still pretty amazing.

Some of the more common distance learning master degrees offering fall into these areas of study:

* Education. It is possible for teachers to teach during the day and earn their masters at night. These programs can really open doors for those who want to advance in this field and even move up and on to administration.

* Government. From engineering work to public administration, the online offerings for government workers are pretty amazing.

* Computer science. It makes sense these degrees would be found for online study. Some of the more popular choices here include basic computer science, computer engineering and more.

* Business. Masters of business administration degrees might be one of the biggest draws for online learning. In addition to MBAs, accounting, financial management and even international business programs can be found, as well.

* Medical. While hands-on components will still almost always be required, it is possible for students to take much of the necessary coursework online. Nursing, psychology and other similar programs are common.

The above is just a small sampling of the masters programs students can take online from accredited universities. The truth is that while these programs have not eliminated a need for face-to-face learning, they are making it possible for many to remove the roadblocks that stand between them and advanced degrees.



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Mary Jackson asked:


According to the report, Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006, published by The Sloan Consortium, in 2003, only 57% of academic leaders thought students who earned their degree online received the same or better education than those attending traditional programs.

By 2006, that number rose to 62%. This means that online education programs are becoming more accepted by educators as each year passes. Earning an online bachelor’s degree can help your career in many ways. Not only will you be qualified for career advancement, many employers reward those who take the initiative to further their education.

Online bachelor degrees are available in many fields. Through careful research, you can find an online program that suits your needs.

Popularity of Online Degree Programs

Online degree programs have grown in popularity over the years for many reasons that include the creation of accredited online colleges, traditional colleges and universities offering online courses, and increased interest by those already in the workforce who want to further their careers by earning a degree while they work.

According to the Postsecondary Education Factbook 2006, published yearly by education consulting and marketing firm Edventures, in 2006 over $10 billion dollars was spent in online education by those pursuing a degree. This is an increase from $2.5 billion spent in 2004. But why are online degree programs so popular and why should you consider enrolling in one when going back to school?

Save time by taking Courses Online

For many students, returning to school to earn a bachelors degree means taking time off from work, spending less time with family, and being around younger students. It’s these factors that deter some students from returning to school.

But by enrolling in an online degree program, students will be able to take courses from home without having to spend time driving to the college or university, paying for childcare or sitting in a classroom filled with people they may not have anything in common with. With a bachelor degree online, students can still pursue their educational goals without disturbing their lives in the process.

Online bachelor degree programs often involve watching/listening to live lectures, reading lecture notes from instructors or participating in live chat with other students and instructors. Students will still be responsible for turning in all assignments and tests like traditional students, but they will not have to spend as much time in the classroom.

Convenient Online Courses

If you want to continue working while earning a bachelors degree, earning your degree online is more convenient than traditional classroom courses in several ways. First, you have the ability to only take as many courses as you can handle each semester.

Second, since you won’t have to spend time in a classroom, you will have more time to study or focus on other areas in your life.

Third, you will be given a syllabus at the beginning of each course that outlines how the course will be taught. This will include due dates for all assignments, tests and projects so you can budget your time.

Lower Cost for Online Education

Depending on the program you enroll in, earning an online bachelor degree may cost less than attending a traditional university program. Online colleges have lower overhead because they don’t provide housing or classroom space and do not support extra-curricular activities such as sports, music or theater programs. When you enroll in an online degree program, the cost of tuition, additional supplies or materials, and fees for IT support are usually all you will be required to pay.



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Mark Woodcock asked:


ionally, earning a college degree has required a student to physically attend a college or University at one of the campuses the institution runs. This might require a student to relocate, or the student might be limited in the classes he or she can register for due to job requirements or scheduling conflicts. Today, the advantages of technology afford students opportunities outside the brick walls of an institution of higher learning. Many students are now opting to earn their college degrees online. As the popularity of attending college online increases, more traditional colleges and Universities are joining the fast-growing group of online-only college and Universities in offering several different levels of college degrees over the internet, presenting students with broader educational options, as well as flexibility and convenience.

There are many advantages to seeking a college degree online. A student need not live locally to attend the college of his or her choosing. Attending classes and submitting coursework online eliminates the need for commuting or relocating. Convenience is another factor in earning a college degree online. A college may be able to offer more sections of certain courses, allowing students more choices as to when to attend classes. Night and weekend sections of courses are usually offered as well, which is ideal for the student that also works full time and/or cares for a family. The flexibility of online college is very attractive. Further, for those who are considering returning to school after several years, attending college online is a great way to ease into the routine of class work and projects again, and can reduce the pressure of feeling the need to fit in with younger students. In addition, who wouldn’t find it appealing to attend college from the comforts of home? When considering going online to earn a college degree, there are a few options open to the prospective student. There are several online-only institutions that are fully accredited and offer many choices of degrees. Accreditation is an important factor to consider in choosing an online college. If you have previous college credits you would like to transfer, attending an accredited college will be necessary to do that. Also, accreditation is beneficial for having your degree recognized by employers and professional organizations. Online-only colleges offer the benefit of a cutting edge learning format technologically, as well as accelerated programs for those who are in a hurry to earn a college degree for professional advancement.

The type of college degree earned online ranges from Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees. And the fields of study and degree programs available are extensive. No longer is online education just for web designers and computer programmers. Students may study Business, Social Sciences, Humanities, foreign languages, Mathematics, Human Resources, Fine Arts, and various Healthcare programs. These are but a few of the fields of study available to the online student.

If you are worried that you might not be able to afford to earn a college degree online, there are options available to you. Some employers might offer to pay a portion or even all tuition and fees toward an employee receiving a degree. Also, financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and even scholarships might be available to you. Check with the particular online program of interest to see what financial options are available, since some colleges might not offer financial aid to students who attend part-time.

You might be concerned that earning your college degree online won’t provide as enriching an experience as attending a traditional face-to-face college or University. Earning a college degree online can be an experience that is every bit as enriching, interpersonal, and dynamic as attending college the old-fashioned way. A big misconception is that online learning is impersonal. This isn’t the case at all. Programs offered online present the same opportunities for group work, independent study, and interpersonal communication as do traditional methods of learning. In fact, attending college online helps to facilitate the independent learning process, as well as developing time management skills. Attending college online takes just as much commitment as the old-fashioned way of going to school, and the potential career and personal benefits are just as great, if not greater. Going online to earn your college degree is a legitimate, convenient, and flexible way for you to advance you education, as well as your career and personal potential

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Chonticha Marijne asked:


Not long ago, anything but a degree earned through a traditional community college or state funded university was considered sub-par and scoffed at. Despite the fact that distance learning programs have been around for decades, there has always been a stigma attached to them. Only in the 1980s did distance learning become a more acceptable way of taking college coursework, but many times, such completion coursework was not accepted at other universities, nor recognized to meet basic course completed requirements. Today, however, distance learning degree programs are more the norm, and millions of people around the world take advantage of them every year.

Back in the ‘old’ days, distance learning degree offerings were limited to secretarial, medical support and technical subjects. Today, anyone can obtain not only an Associate or Bachelor’s degree through distance learning courses, but their Master’s degrees as well. Gone are the days when the online school degree was considered beneath the requirement levels of institutions around the country. These days, more nurses, business professionals and teachers are graduating from distance learning degree programs, thanks to their overwhelming popularity and the growth of the Internet Age.

The benefits of a distance learning degree seem obvious, such as not having to attend classrooms, studying on your own time, and taking as much time as you need with certain subjects and assignments. Distance learning is the only way to go for many people who are too busy with work and family responsibilities to be able to spend several hours a day or night in a classroom. Besides that, many course work requirements don’t offer evening or weekend classes, which prevent many men and women in the workforce from attending even if they wanted to.

Some may believe that a distance learning degree isn’t worth as much as a degree earned at a traditional brick and mortar college or university, but that’s no longer true. As long as the distance or online school that you wish to attend is accredited by a viable educational program, then your degree is just as valuable as one obtained from the Dean of Notre Dame. Keep in mind however, that earning a distance learning degree may be more difficult for independent learners than for those students who attend classrooms every day. It is up to each independent learner to read and understand textbook assignments and study guide procedures to complete their class requirements. While teacher aid is available for most distance learning programs, you must be patient for your questions to be answered by email.

If this is not a problem for you, then earning a distance learning degree is a prime opportunity that you should not pass up.

Distance or online colleges are adding to their programs every year, and subjects and coursework for a variety of degrees is available for the finding. Books and testing fees are usually included in your semester costs, and while you may pay a little more for the privilege of earning your college degree on your own time, the price more than makes up for earning power and sense of accomplishment for those who have taken the plunge and gone back to school. Distance learning programs offer students and adults who never would have otherwise had the opportunity to attend the college of their choice to earn the degree they’ve always wanted.



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