A Guide to Online Schools

Every day, millions of people enroll in college, from recent high-school graduates, starry-eyed and ready to experience the world, to seasoned professionals, seeking career changes or advancement on the job. They all want the best education possible-but don't all have time for traveling to and from classes, sitting in crowded lecture halls, or tracking down professors for office hours. They need other options, and schools online offer them just that.

An online education helps students learn, grow, and flourish without many of the hassles traditional colleges and universities present. On campus or at home, students can learn the right skills for the right jobs at the right times, on a flexible schedule, and use those skills to enter the job market faster and even better adapted to the working world. So if you're ready for a change in life, and looking forward to higher education as an option, an online degree-from a Ph.D to an Associate's-can be the choice for you.

Getting Started

The key to getting the most from your online learning experience is knowing what you want from, and can give to, the experience. This means gathering all the facts you can before enrolling. Some questions you should ask while researching include:

• What are my goals? What degree or certificate will you pursue, and in what field or major? Different schools online have different specialties, with some offering courses in a wide variety of technology fields and others focusing more on the humanities.
• What is the tech level of this program? Will you need constant access to you own computer? What about your general computer and technology skills? You may need to take a refresher course, or purchase a new computer.
• How much time and dedication will I need to devote to my studies? While an online university will offer greater flexibility than traditional university programs, they are by no means easy. Online schooling can require as many as 4 hours per week of independent research, writing, and/or study time, and some have on-campus components that must be attended.
• What is the financial commitment? Online classes can cost $400-800 per credit, and while the investment ultimately pays off with higher wages and greater job opportunities, it is vital to know how much your program costs, and how to get financial aid, if you need it.
• What are the requirements for admission? Depending on your degree plan and school of choice, you may need to be employed-perhaps in your field of study-have certain memberships, licenses, or work histories, and have completed an appropriate level of study with a specific GPA.

How Online Schools Work

For the most part, online classes involve independent work on assignments given out by the instructor. For example, after enrolling, handling your financial obligations, and registering for classes-usually with the help of an academic advisor assigned to you-you will have access to a website or portal for your class. There you can see assignments, required readings, due dates, grades given, and other pertinent information. This online syllabus will allow you to work at your own pace to complete work on your own schedule.

Assignments can range from essays and research papers to discussions to online quizzes and tests that use special websites or software. Some classes require students to practice what they've learned in the field, and submit presentations or written accounts of their findings to the teacher. Others ask students to participate in online chats or discussion groups.

Academic counselors and advisors keep in touch via regular emails and/or phone calls, scheduled in advance to meet all your needs, while respecting your schedule. Professors and other support staff are available by phone, email, and sometimes even IM, if you have questions or need help.

Most online degree programs can be completed in three to four years, and then, even graduation is covered. Many of the top online schools, including Ashford University, University of Phoenix, and Kaplan University, hold centralized or regional commencement ceremonies where all students-regardless of location-have the option to march and celebrate.

Degrees, Programs, and Certificates

An online college will offer every degree available from a traditional school, from Associate's through Doctoral degrees, and many offer certificates for continuing study in your field. Online students get their degrees in healthcare, education, business, arts and humanities, communication, law, engineering, and the natural and social sciences. Within each of these categories, you can delve into a wide range of specialties, including French, finance, geology, video-game design, and elementary education. Check the catalog of your school of choice for more details.

Online or On-Campus

Online learning is not all on your own, however. Many colleges offer on-campus class meetings, so that students and teachers can gather together for face-to-face interactions, lectures, and Q-and-A. These in-person meetings usually take place at the nearest campus-which most online colleges do have--once or twice a week. You can take classes exclusively online, through streaming video and interactive, online lectures, or solely on-campus, or mix your schedule to get the maximum support and interaction when and where you need it.

Finding the Best Online College

Finding the right online school is critical to your success. Even after answering the basic questions posed in "Getting Started", there are still other things to consider when actually choosing a school. For example:

• Location. If most of the staff and faculty are in another time zone, it may be difficult to get in touch when you need to, or to get assignments in on time. Also, an online college with a nearby campus affords you the option of in-person meetings and the chance to network, meet other up-and-coming professionals, and establish bonds with future clients, colleagues, and resources, and recommendation-writers.
• Accreditation. Only institutions accredited by US Department of Education (DOE)-recognized agencies have been found to have curriculum, teaching and operating standards, and faculty up to par with the educational needs of today's students. Check to make sure any potential colleges are accredited--and then make sure that the agencies that accredited them are legitimate, by looking for them on the DOE website.
• Scams. Unfortunately, several institutions posing as online universities are fraudulent. These "diploma mills" only take students' money without giving them any educational value in return. Hallmarks of such scams include insisting on up-front payment; granting diplomas in short time periods, even months; taking life or work experience for credits; and having no physical address, only a P.O. Box. Beware of these.

Employment/Career Opportunities

More and more employers are starting to recognize the value of an accredited online education from the top online schools. In fact, according to a recent survey done by market research firm Zogby International, 83% of executives and business owners across the country consider online degrees just as credible as a traditional one.

After graduation, online alums are prepared for a variety of positions, depending on their degrees; Associate's and Bachelor's Degree holders typically go into entry- to mid-level jobs in their chosen fields, while Master's and Doctoral candidates often gain promotions, start their own businesses, or enter new industries in higher-level positions.

So why not join them? With over 3.5 million students enrolled in online universities just three years ago, and that number skyrocketing everyday, more and more Americans are realizing what an opportunity for career advancement, personal growth, and financial freedom online schooling presents - why shouldn't you take it?