Online Education: A Better Option than Ever
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patrick
Online colleges and online degrees have been around for more than 30 years. Initially, both were met with great suspicion.
Students worried if they would have value. And they had reason to worry, as many employers openly expressed reluctance about hiring people who had earned online degrees.
For many years, established, traditional colleges opposed online education. In fact, some successfully campaigned against having institutions like the University of Phoenix, Walden University, and Nova University offer classes in their states.
Today, in 2009, attitudes are far different. Students feel confident that online degrees can help them reach their professional goals. Most employers, including some of the largest corporations in America, are more than willing to hire graduates of online college programs. Even colleges and universities are hiring faculty and staff with one or more online degrees.
More surprisingly, many of the very colleges and universities that opposed distance education now offer it. Even graduate/professional degrees, including PhD'd, EdD's, PsyD's, and J.D.'s are available online.
Sure, there are still some degree mills out there. But most states have cracked down on them, and the Internet makes it very easy to check on the accreditation of a school or college. And, students have an increasingly wide choice of online education options.
As late as 1975 or 1980 there were a very limited number of accredited universities with online degree programs. Furthermore, they offered degrees in only a very few major areas of study. Now there are in excess of 200 fully accredited U.S. institutions offering degrees at all levels.
And here's the best news of all. Financial aid and scholarships are now widely available to distance education students.
Online education is now an option worth the careful consideration of anyone who wishes to continue his or her education. And, with its flexibility and convenience, it is the fastest growing sector in higher education.
Students worried if they would have value. And they had reason to worry, as many employers openly expressed reluctance about hiring people who had earned online degrees.
For many years, established, traditional colleges opposed online education. In fact, some successfully campaigned against having institutions like the University of Phoenix, Walden University, and Nova University offer classes in their states.
Today, in 2009, attitudes are far different. Students feel confident that online degrees can help them reach their professional goals. Most employers, including some of the largest corporations in America, are more than willing to hire graduates of online college programs. Even colleges and universities are hiring faculty and staff with one or more online degrees.
More surprisingly, many of the very colleges and universities that opposed distance education now offer it. Even graduate/professional degrees, including PhD'd, EdD's, PsyD's, and J.D.'s are available online.
Sure, there are still some degree mills out there. But most states have cracked down on them, and the Internet makes it very easy to check on the accreditation of a school or college. And, students have an increasingly wide choice of online education options.
As late as 1975 or 1980 there were a very limited number of accredited universities with online degree programs. Furthermore, they offered degrees in only a very few major areas of study. Now there are in excess of 200 fully accredited U.S. institutions offering degrees at all levels.
And here's the best news of all. Financial aid and scholarships are now widely available to distance education students.
Online education is now an option worth the careful consideration of anyone who wishes to continue his or her education. And, with its flexibility and convenience, it is the fastest growing sector in higher education.
About the Author:
Ira Barron is an educator and journalist currently enrolled in a PhD program online. He writes on online degree programs, financial aid, and online colleges.
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