By: Daniel Z. Kane

Are online degrees as valuable as those earned via traditional on-campus study? More and more people are asking that question every year.

Interestingly, some studies indicate that students learn more in online study, and other studies conclude that the opposite is true.

Therefore, it is difficult to make sweeping generalities about whether an online or traditional college education will be of higher quality or will be received with greater acceptance. A better idea for folks considering their options would be to consider their individual situations and goals. But, the one constant is that students should consider only fully accredited colleges and universities.

The process of choosing your best educational options should always begin with questions. What are youir personal goals? Career goals? How strong is your commitment? How much time do you have to devote to your education? Will your goals require licensure or certification of any kind? As you answer these questions, your options will become clearer.

Convenience is, of course, another important consideration. Many working adults, in particular, have limited time to travel to and from a campus, and it can be difficult, given life's other demands, to be tied to a fixed class schedule. For folks with these challenges, online degree programs are often a clear choice. Online education may also offer more opportunities for applying previously earned credits, including those for life experience, which might in turn make it easier to earn an accelerated degree.

For most people, finances are a major factor in choosing a college or university, online or otherwise. Initially, few online degree programs were able to offer significant need based financial aid or loans, and even fewer offered scholarships. Today, however, many students in distance education program receive financial aid, including loans and scholarships.

Certainly online degree programs offer convenience, and many offer tuition payment plans, tuition rates and financial aid which make them affordable...in some cases, even cheap. And, it is not hard to find people in many professions who have enhanced their career options by earning online degrees. The tough question to answer is how well online degree programs are accepted by employers. Again, as with one of the questions posed earlier, generalizations may not be instructive.

You might best answer the question by contacting folks in your profession, especially those who are in charge of hiring and promoting, and ask them if an online degree would serve you well. Ask if they have found qualitative differences between students who have sat in a classroom and those who have availed themselves of online education. And, when speaking with admissions counselors at the institutions you are considering, ask them for placement information. While you're at it, be sure your admissions counselor addresses any licensure or certification concerns you may have.

Finally, when determining whether or not an online degree is a good choice for you, you would be well served to consider your learning style, preferences, academic skills, and your ability to self-motivate. If you have serious concerns, you may want to attempt a single online course or an online educational certificate program before deciding to pursue a full fledged degree program.

Daniel Z. Kane has worked at schools and colleges for 30+ years. He has created nearly a dozen educational websites on online degrees and online colleges to assist students and educators.
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