Deciding to continue your education is a no-brainer. Exploring your options and determining the best path to your next degree requires some time and (simple) research.
First, eliminate all unaccredited colleges from consideration. In most instances, a degree from an unaccredited college or university is worthless at best. Sometimes, it can be a negative. I don't think I'm the only one who would rather hire someone without a degree than someone I thought might be trying to fool people with a degree that means little or nothing.
Coursework designed for the traditional classroom may not adapt well to online education. Be certain the program you choose has been designed to accommodate the needs of online learners.
Most online colleges, but not all, offer pretty good flexibility in terms of when you can work on your assignments and how quickly or slowly you can earn a degree. If you are interested in earning an online degree quickly, or if you need to move forward slowly because of the other demands of your life, find out how long each college will let you take to complete your degree requirements. Be sure to find a university where you are comfortable with your workload and the time to degree. And, you should find a university in which instant messaging, emailing, telephoning, and/or forums give you quick and easy access to faculty members and your fellow students.
Although, if you are not independently wealth, cost may influence your choice, it should not be weighed too heavily.
Remember, however, that the "sticker price" of a college may not be your actual cost. Most online colleges and universities offer financial aid, and some offer scholarships. And, if you do a search in Google or Yahoo for "online college scholarships" (without the quotation marks), you'll find some good, free scholarship search sites.
Be sure you understand the process of applying for scholarships and financial aid and that you adhere to all deadlines. Admissions and financial aid counselors at the colleges of interest to you will gladly inform and assist you, so don't be shy about requesting the help you need.
If you don't choose the right online college for you, you may pay a high price for your mistake, including failing to complete the degree you seek to move your career forward. Similarly, if you do not vigorously investigate your financing options, your path to a degree may be more stressful and more difficult. So, investigate lots of options and do not make a final decision until you feel confident you have the information necessary to make a good one.
First, eliminate all unaccredited colleges from consideration. In most instances, a degree from an unaccredited college or university is worthless at best. Sometimes, it can be a negative. I don't think I'm the only one who would rather hire someone without a degree than someone I thought might be trying to fool people with a degree that means little or nothing.
Coursework designed for the traditional classroom may not adapt well to online education. Be certain the program you choose has been designed to accommodate the needs of online learners.
Most online colleges, but not all, offer pretty good flexibility in terms of when you can work on your assignments and how quickly or slowly you can earn a degree. If you are interested in earning an online degree quickly, or if you need to move forward slowly because of the other demands of your life, find out how long each college will let you take to complete your degree requirements. Be sure to find a university where you are comfortable with your workload and the time to degree. And, you should find a university in which instant messaging, emailing, telephoning, and/or forums give you quick and easy access to faculty members and your fellow students.
Although, if you are not independently wealth, cost may influence your choice, it should not be weighed too heavily.
Remember, however, that the "sticker price" of a college may not be your actual cost. Most online colleges and universities offer financial aid, and some offer scholarships. And, if you do a search in Google or Yahoo for "online college scholarships" (without the quotation marks), you'll find some good, free scholarship search sites.
Be sure you understand the process of applying for scholarships and financial aid and that you adhere to all deadlines. Admissions and financial aid counselors at the colleges of interest to you will gladly inform and assist you, so don't be shy about requesting the help you need.
If you don't choose the right online college for you, you may pay a high price for your mistake, including failing to complete the degree you seek to move your career forward. Similarly, if you do not vigorously investigate your financing options, your path to a degree may be more stressful and more difficult. So, investigate lots of options and do not make a final decision until you feel confident you have the information necessary to make a good one.
About the Author:
Dr. Casper Poodel is a contributing editor for a leading educational organization which sponsors websites on subjects including online colleges and fully accredited accredited online degree programs.
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