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So - you've decided to go back to school and get a certificate
or degree, but you can't afford to give up your day job.
The good news is you're in luck. A multitude of quality
online educational programs and institutions are available
all over the U.S., and they offer certificates, plus accredited
undergraduate and graduate degrees. Some schools offer accredited
courses, and others offer certificates for completing a
course of study.
How to Get Started
Before you embark on your online
education, there are a number of questions to consider
that will affect where you choose to study:
- What field are you interested in?
- Do you prefer big or small classes?
- Do you want to study at an institution near where you
live, in case you want to meet personally with other students
or the professor?
- Do you prefer asynchronous (individualized and flexible
time-wise) or synchronized (as part of a class, meeting
together) learning?
Online Learning Directories
The Internet has many online directories where you can select
the course of study that interests you. Choose from schools
that offer everything from business, legal, finance, education,
health care, to technology and art courses. If you're not
sure, take a single course to find out if and how you like
it. Start with an easy course and step up to more advanced
studies when you're ready.
Accreditation
Accreditation is an independent review of an institution's
programs to help establish that the education offered by that
institution is of uniform and of sound quality. Accredited
schools are either recognized by the U.S Department of Education
for federal financial aid purposes, or indirectly by a private
organization. Six accrediting agencies cover most of the geographic
regions of the U.S. Obtaining an accredited degree or continuing
your studies at an accredited school could help you land the
perfect job.
Statistics Prove It
The National Center for Education Statistics cites that post-high
school, technology-based distance education courses have increased
in number in recent years.
By the fall of 1995, one-third of higher education institutions
offered distance education courses, with more promised over
the next few years. More public institutions than private
ones offer distance learning, which is good news for students.
In general, public institutions are less expensive than private
ones. More public two-year educational institutions are offering
online courses than four-year schools. That's encouraging
news for high school graduates. If you want to start with
an Associate's degree, there are plenty of online options
to choose from.
Online Institution Survey Results
Eight-two percent of institutions claimed that making online
courses available at convenient locations was important to
them. Sixty-three percent of institutions claimed that reducing
time constraints for course taking was important. Half the
institutions surveyed claimed that making educational opportunities
more affordable for students was another important goal.
This bodes well for students who don't want to travel far
or pay too much for an online education. Institutions want
your business, and they are striving to make it easy and affordable
for you to pursue your education, whatever certificate or
degree you're going for.
Future Plans
Institutions offering distance learning plan to improve the
technology, implementing two-way, interactive video, and two-way
computer-based interactions. If you prefer synchronous learning,
you may want to choose a class taught in real-time, where
you can directly interact with your fellow students and the
instructor. If you want more time flexibility, then asynchronous
learning is for you. You may have to trade emails with your
professor instead of enjoying real-time interaction, but you'll
still receive the education you desire.
The Sky's the Limit
Whatever way you achieve your educational goals - by synchronous
or asynchronous learning, earning a certificate, undergraduate,
or graduate degree - the bottom line is that your bottom line
should increase. Because once you've earned that additional
certificate or degree, chances are, your employer will recognize
your extra efforts with a boost in your paycheck. The money
you spent pursuing an online education may come back to you
in a bigger paycheck and a sense of satisfaction, pride, and
accomplishment that money just can't buy.
About the Author
Miriam Kasdan has been writing and editing marketing and technical
materials for almost 20 years, and specializes in home improvement
and education information. Miriam earned a B.A. in Sociology
from the University of California at Berkeley.
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