By Tripp, Senior Ticket Counselor
Are you looking to further your education, but…
- Don’t have enough time for a traditional school?
- Lack available transportation or funding to get to and from campus?
Are you interested in…?
- Learning around your personal/work schedule?
- Having access to your classes from almost anywhere at any time?
- Developing new or enhancing old computer skills?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may benefit from online learning programs. Online learning programs are designed to give individuals the opportunity to complete a degree program without having to sit in a classroom. These programs also allow you to learn at your own pace and in some cases you may be able to complete an online program in less time than a traditional classroom based degree program. There are advantages and disadvantages to online learning programs, and it is important to determine up front if online learning is right for you.
Some things to consider about online learning:
- Do I have the right motivation and study habits to handle an online program?
- Do I have the right equipment at home and basic skills for online learning?
o A high-speed internet connection.
o A computer capable of accessing course material.
o Current software to meet program guidelines.
o Basic computer skills (typing, internet searching, etc.)
- Is the school and program I am interested an officially recognized by my state or the US?
o Can I transfer course credits to another school in the future?
o Will a potential employer consider my online degree as acceptable for employment?
If you are looking to only attend an online program for a short period of time before transferring to another school, it is important to make sure that your classes from the online school will transfer. If you are unsure about whether your classes will transfer, contact the Admissions Office at the school you will be transferring to and ask about the classes you are planning to take online BEFORE you begin the classes. If the classes do not transfer to another school, you will be responsible for making them up at your new school.
It is up to you to choose the program that is right for you. Make sure the school you are choosing to attend is accredited and the program meets any state/federal regulations for employment in your area. Accredited simply means that the school has demonstrated their academic quality to the public and are eligible to receive federal funds. Employers will verify the validity of your degree or certification with the school you attended or with the National Student Clearinghouse database. If a degree or certification is required for employment and a potential employer is unable to verify your degree/certification you will run the risk of not being considered for a position with that company. Typically a recognized institution with online degree programs will carry more weight with employers than a degree awarded by a lesser known school. For additional information on accredited schools and degree programs, visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s website. For select degree programs such as nursing, social work, education, or certified nursing assistant/home health aides, it is best to check with the state licensing board(s) to see if the program is state approved
Financial aid is available for online degree programs. You will still want to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) form and consult other services for funding such as FastWeb.com online scholarship database. For more information on financial aid, visit our blog archives.
There is no website that offers a one stop shop for information on online degree programs and which schools are best. You will need to set aside some time to do research. Contact the schools and ask questions such as “what are the admission requirements?” or “what’s the biggest complaint from current students?” If you are still in doubt about a school or program, check with the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
For additional assistance with your education planning, feel free to contact a counselor here at EmployReward Solutions. Give us a call at 1.888.322.9570 (Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST) or visit us online at http://www.employreward.com/.
Additional Resources:
Department of Education Accreditation Database – Link
College Fair Questions – Link
0 comments:
Post a Comment