Online and distance learning degree programs are more popular than ever. Offering the perfect opportunity for people who want to find more balance between work, life, and education. If you are currently working full-time, have a family to support, or just want a more flexible and self-led option for getting your desired qualification, getting your bachelor’s or master’s degree online can be a logical choice.
Online study is more widely accepted today than ever before, and distance learning can be beneficial for students at every level of their education. Studying online is often cheaper compared to studying on-campus. Moreover, it comes with a lower opportunity cost. All thanks to degree programs that are flexible enough for students to fit their full-time job around. And, these days, employers do not tend to see online degree programs. Because they are any less valuable or credible than their campus-based counterparts. Whether you get your degree by attending traditional lectures or studying in your home office does not have any impact on the qualification. The qualification that you receive and the career opportunities that it can provide for you.
However, if you are considering getting a degree online, it’s important to be aware that there are some scams out there. To make sure that your degree is going to be worth what you pay for it. Also, it will help you get into the career that you want, these are some of the main things to look out for before moving to online teaching.
School Reputation
If you’ve found a school that offers the distance learning program that you want, it’s important to do some research into its reputation. A reputable school like SBU Online is always the best option. Bear in mind that if it seems too good to be true, like a school offering heavily discounted or even free degree programs. Then it’s probably not going to be legit and may even be a complete waste of your time or money. Spend some time looking the school upon legitimate online learning websites, school comparison sites, social media, and other channels. To make sure that it’s offering legitimate programs and has a good reputation in the education industry.
Accreditation
There are various accrediting bodies that provide accreditation to schools and universities based on whether or not they meet a set of rigorous academic standards. One of the most important things to check before you enroll and pay your tuition fees is that you are going to be studying an accredited program from an accredited school. This will usually be displayed on the school website, but you should double-check this by visiting the accrediting body website to see if the school is listed. If the school or program that you choose is not accredited, this could have a serious impact on your future career and may even make the degree you end up earning not worth the paper that it is printed on, especially in certain industries like engineering or nursing.
Resources
Another main factor to consider when choosing the right online degree program and school for you is the access that online students will have to the resources offered, and the range of resources available. If there isn’t that much available for distance learning students compared to what the campus-based students get, this should be a red flag. As a student, you do not want to feel that you are being held back due to your decision to study online rather than on-campus. Choose a school that has extensive resources available for online students including access to all university support services, electronic libraries, forums, networking opportunities, and more.
Program Content
Before you enroll on a particular degree program, it’s important to take some time to get a better understanding of the program content that you can expect will be covered for the duration of your degree program. Along with this, consider any learning outcomes that you will be expected to meet while you are getting the degree. Any credible school will have a lot of information on offer in program handbooks, online, and in the prospectus about the programs that they offer and the modules that each program is made up of.
Networking Opportunities
Some degree programs will require you to build your professional network more than others when you are studying. For example, if you decide to go back to school to improve your business career with an MBA, then who you know can be just as impactful on the rest of your career as what you learn and the skills you develop throughout your degree program.
Despite the fact that online learning involves learning from home rather than on-campus, you may be surprised to learn that you can network just as effectively virtually with the right tools. Online schools know this too, which is why the best ones will always provide their students with plenty of opportunities to meet with and build professional relationships with their peers despite not being physically together in class.
Before you commit to any online degree program or school, it is a good idea to find out more about the type of networking opportunities that are available to you as a student. Is it limited to the online forums only, or will you have the option to join social media groups, get involved in group chats, or even attend local meet-ups and networking events for students in your area?
School Experience
With the events of the past two years leading to more online study than ever before, another factor that students must consider before they select an online school and an online degree program is the experience that the institution has in terms of offering distance and online learning. Although it is easier than ever for any university or college to set up online learning for various programs, you may feel more comfortable in the knowledge that you are studying an online program at a school that is well-established in the field and has plenty of experience with delivering learning to distance students.
Flexibility
For students who want to get their degree online, the flexibility offered by the program is often a big deal. Most of the time, students who decide that online learning is the best option for them will have made this decision due to working full-time, running their own business, or having other commitments that might prevent them from committing to a campus-based program. Before choosing the right online school and program for you, it’s a good idea to find out more about how flexible the program will allow you to be.
Some online programs are more flexible than others, allowing you to be in full control of when, where, and how you study by making the online learning materials available to you to use in your own time. On the other hand, other programs may not be as flexible as you may be required to log in and be available for online lectures and classes at certain times. It’s important to be aware of what is going to be expected of you as a student before you decide to enroll on a particular online program.
Funding and Fees
Online degree programs may sometimes be cheaper in terms of tuition compared to attending a campus-based program, as they are usually cheaper for the university to run. However, most of the time there are little to no savings to be made in terms of tuition. So, you will need to carefully consider how you are going to fund your online degree in the same way that you would consider funding for a regular campus-based program. Student loans and other forms of financial aid are available for online degree programs and a popular option for students who would otherwise struggle to pay the tuition cost. You can also find scholarships, grants, and other types of financial support available to students who get an online degree.
Programs Available
Before choosing the right online school for you, it’s important to take a closer look at the programs available. After that make sure that the school offers the one that is going to be the most beneficial for your career. Some online colleges focus mainly on one type of program such as nursing. On the other hand, others have a range of online programs on offer from journalism to MBA programs. Before you decide on the right online school for you it’s a good idea to have your career goals. Set career goals clearly in mind and do some research into the type of programs. The programs are most likely to help you achieve what you need.
Career Services
Many online colleges and degree programs are highly career-focused. Because many online students decide to take this route for a career change or career progression. If you want to improve or change your career prospects with an online degree. It’s important to consider the career services offered by the school. How does the school help students achieve their career goals? Will you have access to careers advisors and additional support?
Today, studying online is booming in popularity, especially among mature students and career changers. Keep these factors in mind as you search for the ideal online school and degree program for you.
