Can I Earn a Degree Online?

The question of if an individual can earn a degree online is a common question today with more and more jobs requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. Many aspiring students want to earn a degree but wish to continue working and meeting other obligations. The great news is that more and more colleges are now offering students the opportunity to earn degrees online and at their convenience. Learn how online degrees work and what type of degrees are available online.

What Online Degrees Entail

An online degree is an academic degree that can be taken either partially or fully online rather than by attending classes in the traditional brick-and-mortar setting. Almost everything is done online from enrollment right through the final exams. Once students are enrolled and admitted, they log in to the school’s site to get their assignments, submit completed assignments and takes tests.

The courses are typically delivered in various ways, including email, DVDs, videos, streaming media and online lectures. Students can also communicate with students and instructors through a virtual classroom and various innovative learning platforms. Online colleges typically offer 24/7 help so students can do their work at their convenience.

What Fields Are Available as Online Degrees?

When online education first became a real thing, a limited number of online programs were available. The increasing popularity of online education or distance learning has changed that, with more and more courses, programs and fields of study becoming available online. Today, a student can earn online degrees in business, nursing, food and nutrition, hospitality, education, computer sciences, and even engineering. Students in programs that require internships will be required to complete the internship in a real work setting but can still complete the coursework online.

What to Look for in an Online Degree Program

With so many online programs available today, students may have a difficult time choosing the right school and knowing they’re getting in a good school. Here are some things to look for in an online program.

• Is the school regionally accredited?
• Does the school have a high-quality online platform that makes it easy to work from home?
• Does the school offer financial aid?
• Does the school offer 24/7 support?
• What is the graduation rate for graduates of their online programs?
• What is the job placement rate for graduates of their online programs?

How Long Will They Take to Complete?

The time it takes to complete a degree program can range from three to seven years, depending on if the student is enrolled full-time or part-time. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average time to complete a bachelor’s degree program is 52 months.

For example, earning a bachelor’s degree online may take less than four years or up to six or seven, depending on the workload the students wishes to take. This is one of the biggest advantages of earning a bachelor’s degree online. Students can continue to work and complete the number of courses that they can comfortably fit into their schedule.

Related Resource: 20 Tuition-Free Colleges

Online education is a convenient and cost-effective way to earn a degree or even take some courses. According to the NCES, more than 5.9 million students took some sort of distance education courses, and many of these were to earn a bachelor’s degree online.