If you are a student or a professional considering whether an online university is the right educational option for you, your answers to these 10 questions may help you make a decision.
1. How well will online learning fit with my lifestyle? While online colleges offer flexible schedules, they are not without deadlines. Coursework can be rigorous and assignments must be completed on time. Determine how much time your online studies will require and be realistic about how you will fit them into your life.
2. How well am I suited to online learning? Successfully completing a college degree online requires being able to work independently, and it demands strong self motivation and the ability to set and complete demanding goals. If you feel that you need the feedback from face-to-face interaction with instructors and students and the discipline of regularly scheduled classes to motivate you, and online college may not be for you, or if you are a procrastinator who finds it difficult to complete projects on time, online learning may not be for you.
3. What do I expect to get out of an online degree? Is it to improve my long-term career prospects in my current job? Is it to prepare me for a career change? You need to be clear about what you expect a degree to do for you in order to determine whether it can satisfy those needs and, therefore, whether an online degree is the right choice.
4. How comfortable am I with computers and online technology? For many people, this one is easy, since they use computers everyday to communicate and complete work assignments. However, if you are technophobe or don’t have good (fast and reliable) Internet access, online learning may be a chore you shouldn’t take on.
5. Do I have excellent reading comprehension and writing communication skills? Both are critical to be a successful online learner. While you will attend classes and listen to lectures online, much of your learning will be through written material that requires the ability to understand complex information by reading. Also, you will complete and submit assignments online so the ability to write clearly is crucial.
6. How important is it to me to be able to work full time while I earn a degree? If for any number of reasons (because you have a family to support or other financial limitations, because you have a job you love and don’t want to give up to go back to school, because you believe you will learn more by continuing to work while earning a degree) you want to or need to work full time and continue to bring in a steady income while attending school, earning your degree at an online university may be a great fit for you.
7. Can I afford an online degree? The cost of an online degree varies, depending on the online university and an individual’s particular situation. One obvious savings for many students is room and board and/or commuting costs, since you will work and study at home. Also, you may be able to get financial assistance for your online education, just as you would if you went to a brick and mortar school. Grants may help to offset some of the costs of attending an online college, you may be eligible for some federal assistance programs, and you may qualify for education loans. Also, if you are working, you should be sure to check with your employer about tuition reimbursement programs.
8. Is an online degree comparable to a degree from a regular college or university? As long as the online college awarding the degree is accredited the answer is yes. You should be sure that your online college is accredited by the Council of Higher Education or the U.S. Department of Education.
9. Can I earn my degree more quickly online? Given the flexibility of an online education, you may be able to accelerate you course of study and earn your degree more quickly at an online university than at a regular university.
10. Is the instruction as good at an online university as at a regular university? Just as at any school, the quality of the faculty will vary from one school to the next, so the answer to this question will depend on what school you choose. However, there is no reason that the instruction can’t be excellent. Just as some superior students choose online universities for their flexibility, so do some top-tier professors. Be sure to look carefully at the resumes of the professors at the schools you are considering, especially noting their credentials, academic (and nonacademic) experience, and research and writing. Look even more carefully at those in your areas of special interest to be sure that they have top-notch qualifications. Also, find out how long they have been teaching online.
Source:
www.womensjoblist.com, Is an Online Education a Good Choice for You?
