| The traditional method of attending an institution of | | | | own pace, which is a big advantage to those with |
| higher learning was to go to a school and attend | | | | full-time careers and families. Traditional colleges and |
| classes inside a building, sitting at a desk, and listening | | | | universities that offer online degree programs in |
| to an instructor face-to-face. Today, because of the | | | | addition to their traditional face-to-face programs |
| benefits of technology and the Internet, it is possible | | | | might not be so liberal in the length of time it takes |
| to attain a higher education online. Not only can a | | | | to earn a degree as a full-time student, but most |
| student receive a bachelor's degree online, but it is | | | | certainly will allow a student to enroll part time. |
| also possible to earn a master's degree, and even a | | | | However, being a part-time student might have an |
| PhD via the Internet. Traditional colleges and | | | | effect on financial aid eligibility. Specific requirements |
| universities are taking part in an educational and | | | | would need to be verified depending on the |
| technological revolution in joining with online-only | | | | institution in which the prospective student is |
| institutions to offer bachelor's degrees, master's | | | | interested. |
| degrees, and PhD degrees to students from every | | | | The fields available to study at online institutes of |
| corner of the planet. The degree programs offered | | | | higher education are seemingly limitless. Students may |
| are quite varied, and continue to increase as the | | | | study any number of disciplines including business, |
| technology of online education grows. | | | | social sciences, humanities, math, human resources, |
| There is no shortage of reasons to consider pursuing | | | | English, art, and healthcare programs. Each school has |
| a higher education online. Proximity is a major reason | | | | different requirements for admission into individual |
| to consider it. A student can literally be anywhere in | | | | programs (such as entrance exams scores and prior |
| the world and still attend class, as long as he or she | | | | degrees earned), so it is important to take those into |
| has access to an Internet connection. Attending | | | | consideration when applying. The requirements will be |
| classes and submitting assignments online eliminates | | | | the same for online and local students, and the |
| the requirement for commuting or relocating. This has | | | | spaces for programs will still be limited. |
| the potential for significant cost savings. Another | | | | The misconception of earning a higher education |
| advantage to attending college online is the factor of | | | | online is that the experience is not as enriching as |
| time management. An institution has the ability to | | | | attending face-to-face classes at a tradition college or |
| offer more sections of courses in the online format, | | | | university. While it is true that being an online student |
| allowing a student to have more option as to when | | | | requires a certain amount of self-discipline and |
| to attend class. This allows the student to have more | | | | self-motivation, most programs offered online |
| flexibility, and is an ideal situation for those who work | | | | present the same opportunities for group work, |
| full time and/or care for a family. Yet another reason | | | | independent study, and communication with |
| to consider online education is comfort. Not only can | | | | classmates and instructors as do the traditional |
| a student access courses from the comforts of | | | | method of earning a degree. And because attending |
| home, but this is also an ideal alternative for those | | | | an institution of higher education online requires such |
| who wish to return to college after many years. The | | | | drive, it helps to facilitate the independent learning |
| stress of feeling the need to fit in with younger | | | | process, while at the same time helping to develop |
| classmates is virtually eliminated, and returning to | | | | time management skills. With the popularity of the |
| college via the Internet is a great way to ease back | | | | Internet and technologies such as teleconferencing in |
| into the routine of school and assignments. | | | | education today, it is possible to come away with not |
| When thinking about receiving a higher education | | | | only a degree, but also being more in tune with |
| online, the prospective student has a few things to | | | | technology, which carries significant potential in |
| consider. There are several online-only colleges and | | | | broadening career opportunities. Seeking a higher |
| universities that offer all degree types in varying | | | | education online is a reasonable, convenient, and |
| fields that are fully accredited. These universities | | | | flexible way for a person to advance both a person's |
| often allow a student to earn a degree at his or her | | | | education and career potential. |