Online Learning: The New Reality
At one time, online learning had a bad reputation because it was possible to get mail order diplomas for many different things. For instance, it was possible to get a certificate showing that you were an ordained minister in a matter of mere weeks. In reality, of course, these credentials were hardly worth the paper they were printed on, but never-the-less many people parted with their hard-earned money in the hopes of obtaining one. Today, however, online learning and online degrees are a valid way to pursue an education in order to earn a higher degree, while simultaneously being able to continue working.
Because of today's economic climate, many people simply cannot afford to stop working in order to be able to go to school full time. At the same time, many people find themselves in need of more advanced training in order to move forward in their field, so being able to take online classes can be an excellent way in which to do this. Obviously the greatest advantage is that you can continue with your job, and yet be able to do your class work at your own convenience. If you are a high school graduate, you might choose to get an online degree due to your financial constraints, as it may not be possible to go to school unless you also have a job. And should you be one who is already working in your chosen field, it is worthwhile to check out the offerings of an online college or university in the hopes of continuing your education.
I know that in the upstate New York area where I live, undergraduate courses are priced at about $200 per credit. SUNY (State University of New York) is an accredited college that offers over 500 undergraduate courses online as well as at 34 locations throughout the state. As long as you have credits from an accredited college you can transfer these credits toward any other institute of higher learning. As on online student, you may also qualify for financial aid through grants, scholarships, loans, or benefits from your employer. If you are both working and taking classes toward your degree, there can be a tax benefit as well. This applies to almost every area of the country. Quite a few colleges and universities, such as SUNY, are offering online classes in addition to campus classes. There are some fields of study for which you may need to have some hands-on experience in order to complete your degree, but most of the time you can find a way to work this into your schedule, so that you can continue to work at your regular job.
Today, most online colleges offer associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree programs. These are not mail-order diplomas from a diploma mill, as existed in times past, but genuine, real degrees that you can use to apply for the career of your dreams. Because many of those attending online classes are people who are also concurrently working at jobs, it is to be expected that it will take somewhat longer to complete a course of study; but given time, you can obtain your degree. If you are someone who is just beginning your advanced education, or perhaps someone whose time in college was interrupted and not completed, there is no reason you cannot get back on track and complete your degree by attending classes online. The benefits of online learning certainly outweigh any disadvantages, and you can be certain that you will feel greatly empowered by your accomplishments, as you put your future into your own hands with an online degree.
