Online College Degree
The increased availability of fast Internet access, especially high speed DSL and cable-based connections that can successfully support streaming audio/video presentations, has allowed Online College Degree programs to compete successfully with traditional universities and community colleges. Students who would otherwise be forced to travel long distances to attend class, or to rush from work to school in order to attend lectures, can now watch recorded copies of these lectures from the comfort of their desk at work or home. Since the lectures are always available, students can view them at any time and rewind as needed if they require clarification or want to review the material again later. Most instructors provide online copies of the class syllabus and offer online office hours, during which they or their teaching assistants are available to answer questions.
The time saved by not having to commute may allow others, such as mothers with small children or anyone whose work and family schedule precludes daily class attendance, to manage degree programs that would otherwise have been impossible to complete. Coursework such as exams and projects can also be submitted electronically in many cases, thus adding to the convenience of such programs.
Online college degrees are available from many institutions; some are dedicated to online learning and maintain no physical campus, while others are traditional institutions that have adapted to the changing marketplace by offering Online Degree options. All are regionally or nationally accredited and recognized by the US Department of Education. Some, but not all, offer "life credit" toward a degree, based on prior professional experience in the chosen field of study.
Degrees are offered in everything from business administration to computer science and literature, and many institutions will waive any requirement for on-campus participation. Additionally, several universities that formerly offered only online college degrees are now opening satellite campus locations to allow students the option of attending in person when time and family commitments allow.
The programs now available include Associate, Bachelors, and even Masters level degrees, and are as widely respected as those achieved during residence at a traditional university. It's also possible to take classes without enrolling in a degree program or completing a lengthy application process. This allows those who are simply interested in exploring a career change or taking a class for personal interest to participate at their leisure.
