Want to earn an accredited degree through your computer? Schools such as Florida State University, UCLA and Boston University are just some of the schools offering students the chance to pursue a degree online.
A study done by the Sloan Consortium found that 29.9 percent of traditional schools offer at least one online or distance learning bachelor’s degree.
But don’t think that gaining acceptance to an online degree will be easier than being accepted to a traditional program.
Online degrees are “as difficult to gain admission to and complete as campus-based options,” says Vicky Phillips, professor and founder of GetEducated.com.
If you’re considering a non-traditional degree, there are important factors to consider: accreditation, cost and residency requirements.
Accreditation
Make sure the degree you’re considering is from a college that is regionally, nationally or state accredited. Most school Web sites contain their accreditation information.
If the college claims you can “earn your degree in 30 days,” or that earning your degree is “cheap and easy,” then cross that school off your list.
Cost
Just because a degree is offered online doesn’t mean you’ll get a price break over traditional tuition. Ask if your potential online program accepts the FAFSA, scholarships or other forms of federal financial aid.
Residency requirements
Residency requirements differ from program to program. Some programs offer “low residency” options where students must stay on or near campus for up to two weeks once or twice a year. Other programs require no face-to-face contact and are completed exclusively online.
Types of instruction
Instruction in online courses may be solely Internet-based or may use a mix of technology to deliver the course content. Many online degrees are composed of Web-based classes that offer instruction via e-mail, school chat rooms, discussion boards and more.
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