FAQ
Do I really need a degree to advance in my career? You bet. The majority of high-paying positions that are in an in-demand classification require that a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree be in place. Also, on average, statistics show that college graduates earn more money over the course of their lifetime than non-college graduates. The U.S. Department of Commerce has determined that people with Bachelor’s degrees earn an average of 98 more income in their lifetime than non-college graduates and those with Master’s degrees earn 170 more.What types of degrees are available through online study? You’d be amazed at the types of degrees available and the schools that offer them even Harvard! Degree plans range from Business and Criminal Justice to Engineering and Education and everything in between. If you can imagine it, it’s most likely available.That’s all good, but what about the quality of the education? As already mentioned, if schools like Harvard have online programs, you can rest assured that many programs are of a high quality. Unfortunately, there are online universities that are not recognized by official accrediting organizations, so make sure you do your due diligence before signing on. Not only is a degree from one of these “diploma mills” damaging to your career (since it will be viewed as an act of deception by an employer), but you could face fraud charges in extreme situations. To find out if an online university or college has been accredited by a nationally-recognized or regional institutional accrediting agency, check it against the U.S. Department of Education database of recognized institutions.Will I ever have to attend class? I live in a remote area and this might be tough for me. This all depends on the school and the program you choose. Again, a fair amount of due diligence on your part up front is recommended to make sure the program fits all your needs; but to answer your question, there are many online universities that do not require any type of physical appearance and can be completed entirely from a home computer.Will an online degree be viewed as credible by prospective employers? Most employers are becoming more accepting of online degrees from an accredited online university again, the emphasis is on “accredited.” There is still some bias that exists in certain career paths, so before you embark on a specific avenue of study it might be prudent to talk to hiring managers in your chosen course of study to get a first-hand take on their perceptions.One of the perks of a traditional school is financial aid is this also available from online study? You bet. Most options that are available to brick and mortar degree plans are also available to online courses of study. If financial aid is important to your specific case, make sure you research this as an option before signing up with any particular program.I have a pretty reliable computer; will I need any special equipment beyond that to start my studies? You pretty much only need a computer, and Internet connection and a phone (cell or landline) should you need to speak to an instructor in real-time. If there are special requirements for specific classes this is typically available as a download from the school.