College Courses Offered Online
From LoveToKnow College
If you're wondering how to fit higher education into your busy schedule, college courses offered online may be a good option to consider.
Convenient Learning Options
Generally, the cost of earning your degree online should be fairly comparable to attending a similar brick and mortar university. If you live far away from the nearest university, online learning may even be cheaper since you won't need to pay for gas or other travel expenses.
While online learning may be convenient, however, the classes shouldn't be thought of as an "easy" way to earn your degree. You'll need to be prepared to spend 10 to 20 hours per week on your online coursework for up to two years. Self-discipline is crucial, since you'll be expected to pace yourself to complete all assignments on time and take the initiative to seek help if you need assistance with a particular aspect of the course content.
Finding College Courses Offered Online
Although the University of Phoenix may be the best known provider of college courses online, there are many other options available as well. For example, Gatlin Education partners with schools across the U.S. to deliver certificate programs in a number of subjects. In addition, several traditional brick and mortar universities are developing their own online learning divisions to meet the needs of people seeking flexible learning opportunities.
One great place to begin your search for distance learning opportunities is the U.S. News & World Report E-Learning Search. This helpful directory has information from more than 1,000 traditional and virtual universities offering courses in a number of subject areas. You can search the databases by state, degree, name, or availability of financial aid to find courses, certificates, and degree programs.
Another great way to find college courses offered online is to contact the colleges and universities in your area to see what e-learning options they have available. They may have classes that are offered exclusively online or courses in which you must only visit campus to take the final exams. And, since you'll be working with an institution you're already familiar with, this approach can help take some of the fear out of continuing your education via online learning.
Choosing the Course that's Right for You
As you're researching potential online learning opportunities, it's important to make sure you understand how to pick a course that fits your needs. While there are many excellent courses offered online, others are mostly run as profit-making endeavors for people who care very little about academic achievement.
Questions to ask before signing up for college courses offered online include:
- What is the background of the institution offering the course? Is the school accredited? (If you're not sure, you can check with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.)
- What is the professional background of the course instructor? Does he/she have an advanced degree in the subject material? Has he/she published any books or scientific articles relating to the subject? What relevant work experience does he/she have in the field?
- How will the course material be delivered? Does the instructor use PDF downloads, mp3 files, a class chat room, or some other instructional method? Do you need to purchase any textbooks to supplement the course content?
- If you run into technical problems accessing the needed information, what support is available?
- How is student achievement evaluated? Does the class have tests, research papers, or special projects for you to complete?
- If you need assistance with a particular assignment, where do you go for help?
- How are you expected to pay for the course? Do you need to pay tuition upfront or make installment payments? Is financial aid available?
- If you're hoping to receive tuition reimbursement from your employer, does this program meet the company's specifications?
- If you're hoping to transfer to a traditional brick and mortar university at a later date, will the class credits you earn be accepted by the institution you wish to attend?
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This page has been accessed 678 times. This page was last modified 02:10, 3 July 2008.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
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