The rapid growth of interest in distance learning via computer, also called e-learning, has brought a number of questions to the forefront.

Following are the answers to ten common questions about online degrees:

1. What is an online degree?  An online degree is a college degree that is earned by distance learning. Generally registration, assignments, tests and communication with teachers and fellow students takes place via computer. Additional resources – like bookstores and libraries – are also available online.
2. Why would someone choose an online degree over a traditional degree?  Online education appeals primarily to adult learners who already have job and/or family responsibilities. An online degree program allows students the flexibility to study on their own schedule, without cutting work hours or taking time from the family. Others who find an online degree to be preferable include active-duty military personnel, students who are physically unable to attend on-campus classes, those who live far from a college campus, and those who travel often.
3. What is the difference between an accredited online degree and an unaccredited online degree?  Accreditation is a process by which colleges and universities are held to a high academic standard of quality by meeting a number of rigorous requirements. When a college has passed accreditation, it joins the ranks of other institutions that have met the same high standards. An unaccredited college is one that has not passed the accreditation process; though some in this category may later become accredited schools.
4. Are the same educational standards applied to online degrees and traditional college degrees?  The major accrediting bodies in the U.S. require both online schools and traditional colleges to meet the same high standards in order to receive accreditation. Whether an accredited college degree is an online degree or an on-campus degree, both are considered to be of high quality, as far as the requirements that have been met by the graduate.  
5. Are you eligible for federal financial aid if you enroll in an online school?  If the online college is accredited and meets the federal guidelines, it should be eligible for the same types of federal financial aid — grants, loans, work study — as the accredited traditional colleges.
6. How can I find a reputable online school or online degree program?  Online degree programs may be found in both traditional or online schools. There are a number of excellent online directories, like DirectoryofSchools.com, that maintain huge lists of accredited colleges and universities, including what types of online degrees are offered by each school. The Department of Education also maintains a database of accredited U.S. colleges and universities. 
7. What is a diploma mill?  Diploma mills are businesses that sell authentic-looking college diplomas for a fee. They are not colleges; though they usually market themselves as colleges or universities. And they often choose business names that sound like legitimate schools; but they require little or no college level work. The use of their fake college degrees to obtain work or job promotions is illegal in some states; and employers have fired or demoted those who are discovered to have purchased, rather than earned, their college degrees. 
8. How can I avoid mistaking a diploma mill for a reputable online school?  There are a number of red flags that may indicate that a supposed school is really a diploma mill. For example, they offer a college degree for a set fee, rather than by the number of units taken. There is no school term, like a semester or quarter. The payment for the diploma offers the option to pick your own grade point average. You can purchase your bachelor’s and master’s at the same time (for an additional fee, of course). There is no physical address, just a post office box. But another way to double-check an online school is to check with the Department of Education to see if it is on their approved list. Other places to check out the school include the Distance Education and Training Council and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
9. How do employers feel about online degrees?  According to a recent survey, employers are warming to online degrees. But also, the University of Phoenix and other accredited online schools are often recommended by employers to their employees as flexible avenues for increasing job skills and earning college degrees. 
10. What is the best way to choose an online degree program?  Choosing an online education program should be based upon many of the same factors that would be used with a traditional school — accreditation or vocational stamp of quality, area of career interest, faculty credentials and reputation, tuition cost, availability of financial aid, job placement support, ease of obtaining necessary classes, etc.

As education technology continues to contribute software that enhances the delivery of teaching materials, the growth of online learning is poised for explosive growth.

So stay tuned for more questions and answers down the road!

online degree, online degrees, distance learning, e-learning, diploma mill, adult learners, online school, military, colleges and universities, employers, fake college degree

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A major concern for graduates of online degree programs is whether or not employers will judge them fairly during the job application process.  But grounds for that concern are rapidly dissipating.

A recent report by Vault.com has created quite a stir in its assessment of how employers feel about online degrees. The study confirms what accredited online school graduates may already know – employers are increasingly discovering the value of employees with accredited online degrees. 

• According to Vault, 83% of employer respondents find online degrees to be more acceptable today than they were 5 years ago.
• 82% of employer respondents said an online bachelor’s degree is acceptable.
• 82% also agreed that an online graduate degree is acceptable.
• Interestingly, only 49% had ever encountered an applicant with an online degree.

This last statistic is important; because it shows that employers need more exposure and education about online degrees. Then they will be able to ascertain for themselves the real value and meaning of accreditation. They will also learn that accredited colleges and universities are held to the same high standards of instruction, whether they are online or traditional schools.

Forward-thinking employers may already see the handwriting on the wall — that online degrees will only increase as education technology makes it easier for teachers to teach and students to learn.

Old school will remain; but online degrees are the wave of the future. Even traditional colleges realize this and have spent millions of dollars to increase their online class offerings to meet a huge demand.

Great strides have been made with employers; but there is still room for improvement. Yet time will mend that gap; and online graduates will continue to shine in the marketplace. Also, many online graduates will join the ranks of the new employers of the future.

And that will certainly take care of things once and for all.

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Popularity: 18% [?]

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Once again, the winds of change are blowing.

And this time, a generation of young children is happily and subtly being trained to change the future face of higher education.

These young ones are being raised up as tech-savvy sponges, unlike their technologically-challenged grandparents or, in some cases, parents. And it will be these future college graduates who will make a higher education choice that fits in with their plans to work, travel or start a family. None of these life choices will interfere with college aspirations; because these young people will gravitate toward online degree programs as their college choice.

These are some of the reasons:

1. Young children are computer-savvy. Both teachers and and parents have introduced the computer as a useful and fun tool. According to the U.S. Census, there is one computer for every 4 children in public elementary and secondary schools — a total of 14.2 million computers.
2. As of 2003, 100% of public schools have Internet access and 75% of children between ages 3 and 17 use the Internet at school, home or another location to complete homework assignments, according to the U.S. Census. 
3. According to the Sloan Consortium, at least 3.5 million students took one or more online courses in the fall of 2006, a number which increased 10% from the previous year. This included 20% of all college students; with the numbers continuing to rise. 
4. Economic concerns — like the loss of jobs, foreclosures and a student loan crunch – may force more high school graduates to consider full-time employment, which will boost enrollment in online degree programs. As parents struggle to make ends meet, students may be forced to shoulder their own college costs.
5. The rising cost of gasoline continues to peak interest in online education. With gas at almost $5 a gallon, a reduction in transportation costs is a major plus in budget decisions concerning whether to choose an online or traditional degree program. Students save gas by studying online.
6. In response to the success of for-profit online schools, like the University of Phoenix, almost all accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities now offer online classes. And a growing number of them have invested millions of dollars to set up online degree programs or blended programs that combine on-campus and online classes. 
7. There are thousands of online degree fields of interest; so the same career preparation that was once reserved for the college campus is now also available through e-learning. Popular choices include business & accounting, criminal justice, information technology, psychology, education, and health administration.
8. Young children are watching their parents study at home to earn college degrees. Currently, 38% of all college students are 25 years of age and older. Many of these adult learners – older students who are busy with adult responsibilities – are modeling for their children what it looks like to earn an online degree. Their children know the ropes and will comfortably join the next generation of distance-learners. 

The evolution of online degree programs is headed toward efficient refinement and technological fine-tuning. And tomorrow’s e-learners will find it difficult to resist an education delivery system that fits their high-tech upbringing like a glove.

online degrees, online degree program, online schools, e-learning, distance learning, University of Phoenix, parents, higher education, students, training children

Popularity: 18% [?]

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As the need for qualified health care professionals goes through the roof, new online degree programs attempt to help fill the gap between supply and demand.

And one of the newest careers, health informatics, combines the hot field of health care with the high-tech, high-demand field of information technology management.

Western Governor’s University may be the best deal out there for an online bachelors’s degree in health informatics. Tuition is just $2,890 for a 6-month term, or $5,780 a year.

Those who already have an associate’s degree in information technology management or health care may be able to complete the online bachelor’s degree program more quickly; but the coursework takes 4-5 years for those with no background in either field.

The online education in health informatics offers career-boosting knowledge and exceptional job potential. Upon receiving the coveted college diploma, graduates are qualified to “design, develop, and operate health information systems”, whether in hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, medical governmental agencies (like the Veterans Administration), and other similar venues.   

Read more . . .

online degree program, online schools, health care, Western Governors, online bachelors degree, career, job, online education

Popularity: 17% [?]

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The University of Massachusetts has signed a history-making agreement with China’s Continuing Education Association (CCEA) and CerEdu Corporation to provide online degrees and face-to-face programs to as many as 5,000 students a year in China for five years.

If the agreement is approved by China’s Ministry of Education, UMass would be the first foreign university permitted to offer distance learning and online degree programs in China.  After five years, the success of this joint venture may permit additional top universities to be welcomed into China.

Also, the success of UMassOnline and its partners may change the face of international student exchange. Foreign students often travel outside of their countries to attend the best colleges and universities in order to obtain a world-class education. But if esteemed universities across the globe set up shop in those countries, there would be less need for foreign students to leave home.

Both CCEA and CerEdu Corporation are affiliated with prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing; and UMass had forged an academic and research partnership with Tsinghua University in 2006. This relationship between UMass and China has been further strengthened by the desire of both to expand the horizons of at least a small percentage of the 1.3 billion Chinese citizens.

Perhaps it is notable that the 2008 Summer Olympics are being held in Beijing, just as the Ministry of Education is comtemplating its decision regarding this matter.

And of course, hopefully the bridge of goodwill and friendship modeled by UMass and its Chinese partners will prevail and generate priceless positive fallout for years to come. 

China, distance learning, e-learning, online degree program, online degrees, UMassOnline, Beijing, Tsinghua University, Summer Olympics 2008

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In a shopping mall during the recent President’s Day weekend, I strolled into the Coach store and witnessed a frenzied atmosphere as women — and men – scooped up luxury merchandise that was reduced 30-50% in price.

For those who are unfamiliar with Coach handbags, wallets and accessories, the items are extremely well-made of fine leather and fabrics — with a remarkable attention to detail.

But just weeks earlier, I had been offered knock-offs, or counterfeits, of Coach products at an outdoor market. The purses and wallets appeared to be of high-quality; but upon closer inspection, the stitching was irregular, the materials were lightweight and the hardware (zippers, rings, fasteners) were substandard. And though the price was low, I chose to pass on this ” great bargain”.

Diploma mills are just like those counterfeit handbags. The fake degree hanging on the wall may look authentic and cost less than a bonafide college education. But the closer inspection of an employer or co-worker will reveal it as substandard and counterfeit. 

And the embarrassment of the revelation might not be the only consequence. The perpetrator, or diploma mill customer, could be arrested and charged with a crime in several states, including Oregon and Texas, if the degree was used to obtain employment or gain a job promotion.

As with buying fake Coach merchandise, I would recommend staying away from fake degrees. Instead, choose one of the thousands of accredited online degrees that are of high-quality and will last forever.  

online degrees, accredited online degrees, online classes, diploma mills, fake degrees, college degree, Coach

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As college tuition rates continue to rise beyond the comfort zone of most parents and their students, the search for ways to reduce this hefty expense has become a mission for many families.  According to US News and World Report, students are paying an average of $35,000 a year at private colleges and universities this year. Public university costs are close to $17,000 annually.

The problem is that these numbers continue to go up each year, rising faster than the rate of inflation. Parents with young children need to figure out how they plan to deal with this major cost linked to their child’s future.

Technology Can Help

Not long ago, the price of a long-distance phone call was pricey. Like international calls now, they had a per-minute rate and had to be carefully planned. But new technologies (and deregulation) have lowered these costs tremendously; and those who are tech-savvy can even use their computers to call long-distance for free.

College costs can also be high; but ever-changing technology offers solutions that were not available before this age of personal computers, MP3 players and YouTube.

Low-Cost Online Degree Programs

Although online degree programs can be just as expensive as a traditional college education, there are some that still charge a reasonable tuition. For example, Western Governors University, which is based in Utah, offers a high-quality, low-priced college education at a non-profit school. The cost is just $2,790 for each 6-month term for an undergraduate program and $3,250 for graduate programs.  

The financial advantage of an online degree program is that the student can work a full-time or part-time job while earning a college degree.  Also, there are no costs tied to educational housing or transportation. In addition, accredited online schools usually offer the same federal financial aid and scholarship options as brick-and-mortar schools.

Financial Aid

Financial aid options are available to qualified students who are accepted into accredited online degree programs. Western Governor’s University, for example, offers their own private scholarships to teachers, military personnel and others. Students and parents should research the availability of similar private scholarships to decrease education costs.

Each year, tens of thousands of dollars in private scholarship money remains unused, simply because students did not apply for the monies. Private scholarship applications can be lengthy and often involve writing an essay; however the pay-off can be sweet for those who make the effort to fill them out and meet the deadlines.

Junior Colleges 

Parents and students who are looking for ways to save on college costs will find a wealth of opportunity at junior colleges. It is possible to attend a low-cost junior college for 2 years, then transfer to a college of choice. Students should talk to a counselor and express their degree objective so that the best plan of coursework can be mapped out and pursued. This step is vital for students who wish to either earn an associate’s degree or tranfer to a 4-year institution.

Local 2-year colleges have been adding online classes to their on-campus offerings; and many are beginning to include online associate’s degrees and online certificate programs. But often, students will discover that junior colleges generally offer a mixture of online and on-campus classes for degree completion.

However, at less than $50 a unit, junior college classes are a bargain for local students. Out-of-state students will need to establish a period of residency before taking advantage of low tuition rates.

Students can finish a 2-year degree for next-to-nothing, then apply to the 4-year college of their choice. Highly selective schools that had no room for the student as a freshman will often welcome the same student as a 3rd-year transfer student. It is important, of course, for students to do well in junior college if the plan is to transfer later.

Junior college/Online School Combo

Another option for bargain-hunting students involves taking as many online courses as possible at the junior college, then transferring to an online school to finish the bachelor’s degree.

Accredited online schools have a wealth of resources for students who do not have the time or inclination to step foot on a college campus. Whether for reasons of work, distance from the school, health challenges, or travel, many students find distance learning to be the best possible way to earn a college degree at a reasonable cost.

But the bottom line is that it is important to explore the different options. By planning ahead, any student should be financially able to afford a college education without spending future years in debt.

And parents who desire the best schooling for their children can make choices that prevent mortgaging their own futures.  

online degrees, distance learning, military personnel, teachers, college_degree, parents, colleges and universities, college education, financial aid, paying for college, high tuition, college tuition, online associates degree, online bachelors_degree, online certificate program, junior college, children, students

Popularity: 37% [?]

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Washington State high school students will know about online degree programs if Rep. Joe Schmick has anything to say about it. 

State Representative Schmick has proposed a bill to promote distance learning as an excellent option for earning college credit or an e-learning diploma. The legislation, 2SHB 3129, has already passed the state House.

In rural towns, for example, students will be able to access information about online learning and how to choose and enroll in online schools. This information would be available on the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website and through teachers and counselors in the high schools.

Currently, Rep. Schmick’s district is composed mainly of rural areas with few community colleges and technical schools; and the bill — if it passes the Senate — would help in preparing all Washington high school students for college options that require use of the latest education technology.

Rep. Schmick believes that everyone should have the chance to take advantage of higher education; and the passing of this bill would help to broaden opportunities for those who need it most.

“Being separated by geographic distance from a conventional classroom should not be a barrier to pursuing higher-education coursework. Thanks to emerging technology, the Internet is removing those boundaries and online classes are accessible just about anywhere. Our bill would help us do a better job of closing the gap between where people live and where educational resources exist”, he concluded.   Read more 

online degree program, distance learning, college, e-learning, online learning, online schools, education, higher education, education technology, Internet, high school students, Washington

Popularity: 28% [?]

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If you are looking for a career that offers some of the highest starting salaries, along with the opportunity to use creativity, logic, and attention to detail, then look no further than the field of engineering.

And e-learning may be the best way to gain the necessary skills and credentials to enter this stimulating field.

An engineer with a bachelor’s degree can expect to begin with a salary of between $48,000 to $60,000. Average salaries for engineers already working in the federal government range between $75,100 and $107,500.

Online degree programs are an excellent way to acquire a college degree in engineering – especially for those who are already employed or who would like to gain job experience while going to school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for specific types of engineers will grow faster than the national average. 

Some of the fastest-growing areas are:

• biomedical engineering,
• civil engineering,
• environmental engineering, and
• industrial engineering.   

In response to the anticipated shortage of engineers in California in the next ten years, Gov. Arnold Schwartzenegger announced that approximately 3,000 veterans would receive expedited training in order to earn the necessary engineering certification. However, the governor is putting into place programs for K-12 students that will aide in preparing 20,000 for entry into engineering jobs.  

Coursework for engineering majors includes the physical sciences, math, social sciences and communication skills, along with engineering courses and additional general education coursework.

online degree programs, e-learning, bachelors degree, engineering, online degree programs, job, careers

Popularity: 21% [?]

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A recent report issued by American Intercontinental University (AIU) confirmed that employers of its online degree graduates are overwhelmingly satisfied with the level of competency, skills and knowledge found in theses new hirees.

The survey, which tabulated responses from 275 employers and 550 AIU alumni, included questions regarding problem solving ability, oral and written communication skills, knowledge of information technology, an understanding of teamwork and group dynamics, and an awareness of cultural diversity. Employers’ responses revealed satisfaction levels of 95% or above for all categories. Online degree graduates of AIU also expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the education they received.

A leading educational consulting firm, Eduventures, forecasts that 10% of college students will be enrolled in an online college or university by next year. This will certainly be reflected in the workplace as an increasing number of e-learning graduates transfer their skills from the classroom to their careers.

As employers continue to appreciate the self-discipline and motivation that is common to successful distance-learning graduates, many more students will choose computer-learning as the perfect solution for acquiring a college degree.

online degree, online degrees, e-learning, distance learning, employers, employees, college degree, college or university, AIU, American Intercontinental University, Eduventures, workplace, careers, online college, computer-learning

Popularity: 29% [?]

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