Online Colleges Degree - A Better Understanding

Since the time of the Greek philosophers, higher education has only been available to those willing and able to spend years at the feet of their instructors. As a result, thousands of colleges and universities were built around the world, attracting millions of young people each year. However, for most adults, the burdens of maintaining employment and a sound family life have prevented them from going back to college once they have bypassed it in lieu of a career. The option to obtain an online colleges degree; however, has changed that dynamic forever. Now, anyone can obtain their degree online while still working at their full-time job and caring for their house and family. A Growing Trend When it comes to online colleges, degree programs attract millions of students over the age of 30 each and every year. The new trend toward distance learning has not supplanted more traditional forms of learning but has rather served to complement the older avenues of learning. In fact, so popular has this trend become that even well-recognized institutions like Penn State have jumped onto the online bandwagon. In some schools, such as the University of Phoenix, nearly 70 percent of all students earn an online colleges degree. Only 30 percent of the school's students attend classes on campus! Is it Like Correspondence School? One of the most common misconceptions about online colleges degree programs and other coursework is that they are similar to the cheaply made - and all but useless - correspondence school courses that were so popular several decades ago. Nothing could be further from the truth! The fact is that with most online colleges, degree programs require the same amount of work - at the same level of competence - that equivalent degree programs require at your average university. There are instructional lectures available via podcast online as well as discussion groups that you can participate in at any time of the day. The only real difference between the online and classroom methods is a matter of your physical presence within the classroom. Choosing the Right School Naturally, the most important aspect of an online colleges degree program is the quality of the coursework. Just as all brick and mortar universities are not equal, so too are online programs different in their level of quality. The key to finding an online colleges degree that is recognized by other universities and employers is finding one that is accredited. The accreditation agencies recognized by the Department of Education are the same ones that provide the stamp of authenticity to all of the public and private universities across the nation. Finally, there is a way for even the busiest adults to advance their education without sacrificing work and family. Many parents find that by attending online colleges, degree course work can be fit into their schedule in the morning, lunch time, and late in the evening. With the flexibility offered by online colleges, degree plans can be completed in less time and at less cost than traditional campus instruction, making an online degree something that is within the reach of almost anybody. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4592636