“I don’t like the idea of racing out of work to try to beat traffic to try to be on time to a class that only lasts an hour,” says Alex, an information technology professional who is currently attending an online college to earn his associate’s degree.
Taking a class means having to sit in a classroom from one to three hours (not including travel time to and from campus). College courses can be a burden for some students, simply because it prevents them from accomplishing other things in their lives.
Education is an important goal shared by many people, but scheduled class times may be too inconvenient for some. Parents, members of the military, and working adults typically have difficulty committing to an inflexible class schedule.
Today’s affordable and accessible technology allows those non-traditional students the ability to take college classes in a more convenient, flexible format. Distance learning has provided millions of students with a way to get an education while raising a family, being deployed, and working.
61.3 percent of all colleges and universities in the United States provide distance learning to their students. What is distance learning? It is a phrase meaning that students can take a college course without having to physically be in a classroom. Their attendance is monitored over discussion boards, threaded discussions, and e-mails; it’s all done over the Internet.
The concept of taking a class over the Internet is hard to understand for some. Is it possible to have as good an online education experience compared to the more traditional on-campus experience? For most adult students who have taken courses online, the experience has been more than good. “The … advantage of being in a distance learning forum is having access to fellow students, teachers and distance learning experts in general. Whenever you have a question, all you have to do is ask,” says Abner, a devoted husband and student (currently working on his MBA degree online).
Over 3.5 million students were enrolled in at least one online course during the fall of 2006, as reported by the Sloan Consortium. As the popularity of distance learning programs continues to build, prospective students can expect to gain more familiarity about them. Many universities have made their classes available for free over the Internet in the form of videos (as is the case with Yale University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), while others are delivering their courses online and charging regular tuition for their online degrees (as is the case with Harvard Extension School of Harvard University, Boston University, etc.).
Attaining the appropriate education can be time intensive, but many are turning to online education to begin a new or enhance their current career. If you are unfamiliar with distance learning, but would like to learn more about it, please go to eLearners.com and click on the “Articles and Resources” tab.
eLearners.com is one resource offering a comprehensive list of accredited, online graduate degree programs. The site’s searchable database allows people to compare different programs to find the perfect fit for their individual needs. Visit http://www.elearners.com today for more information.
Top Online College Degree Programs
Kaplan University -
Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Considered a top online college, Kaplan University offers students affordable and convenient online classes. Kaplan University is an accredited university that provides students the education to become successful professionals upon graduation.
Everest University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Everest University offers degrees in high growth technology based careers with convenient scheduling offered for its various degree plans. Everest University offers campus and online classes for students looking for a school that offers excellence in education.
Saint Leo University - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. At Saint Leo University, students have the opportunity to achieve their lifelong and educational goals. The university provides students with academic and industry professionals who are highly educated in their field of expertise and are willing to share that knowledge with the students at Saint Leo.
American InterContinental University -
Associate's , Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. With campuses located around the world, American InterContinental University has been educating students for over 35 years. AIU offers flexible and interactive programs that assist the students in graduating at their own pace.
University of Phoenix-
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's & Doctorate Degrees. Students looking for careers in health & human services, business, and technology will want to attend University of Phoenix for its degree plans in high growth careers. Phoenix is an accredited university that allows students to earn a degree entirely from home.
Liberty University - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, & Doctorate Degrees. Liberty University offers undergraduate and graduate level education at affordable prices. Assisting students with diverse learning styles, Liberty offers unmatched quality degree programs.
Ashford University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Ashford University provides working adults an excellent place to pursue a secondary or uncompleted degree. Affordable and flexible programs are available to all students looking to obtain a degree from a well known accredited university.
Walden University - Bachelor's, Master's, & Doctorate Degrees. Walden University is dedicated in ensuring students receive the education they need to advance in their careers. Their programs are convenient and effective, providing working students with the flexibility they need.
Colorado Technical University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. By designing their programs to meet the changing needs of today's world, Colorado Technical University prepares students for a career in the most competitive industries. Additionally, they offer accelerated and flexible programs to allow students to enter the professional world sooner than traditional programs.
Virginia College - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Virginia College prepares students for their professional lives by providing them with the appropriate skills and knowledge for their area of concentration. The college's career-oriented programs will prepare students for the real-world in no time.
DeVry University - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. DeVry University has a tradition of providing academic excellence, affordable pricing, and a well respected faculty. DeVry University gives each student personalized attention so that they have the best opportunity to succeed.
Post University - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Post University is a premiere destination for students in obtaining their college degree online. Post University offers a dynamic curriculum to every student and are taught by the very best professors in their field of study.
Florida Tech University - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Ranked among America's best universities, Florida Tech University offers a dynamic e-learning experience that will give students the opportunity to pursue a quality degree on their own time. Students from Florida Tech will continue to carry the pursuit of excellence even after they graduate.
