Earn Your Education Online
In today's fast-paced world, it can be tough to find time to get a college education, especially for busy professionals or those trying to juggle work and family.
However, securing a college education can pay off big - those who earn a bachelor's degree earn on average 65 percent more per week than those with only a high school education, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In addition, a college education offers individuals increased job security, which can mean a lot in today's volatile job market. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the 2008 unemployment rate among those with only a high school education was 5.7 percent - in contrast, the unemployment rate among those who had earned a bachelor's degree was only 2.8 percent - a 51 percent decrease.
Fortunately, there is a convenient way for those busy professionals and working moms and dads to seek a college education: distance learning.
You Won't Be Alone
For those considering seeking a college education online, they will soon find that they are far from alone. In fact, 12.2 million students were enrolled in college-level distance education courses during the 2006-07 academic year, according to a report from the National Center for Education Statistics.
And that number is expected to increase, especially with the state of today's economy. A survey of 1,500 prospective adult students revealed that almost 50 percent believed that additional education was worth more today as a way to improve employment prospects in the face of the current recession, according to Eduventures, Inc., a research and analysis firm that works with the higher education industry.
Additionally, the same survey showed that 42 percent of respondents reported being more likely to enroll in online education courses because of the current economic conditions.
Response from Educators
Institutions of higher education have recognized this drive for online education opportunities.
Today, 97 percent of two-year public institutions and 89 percent of four-year public institutions offer college-level distance learning courses, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Among private institutions, the center found that online education courses are offered by 18 percent of two-year for-profit institutions, 70 percent of four-year for-profit institutions, and 53 percent of all nonprofit institutions.
Among Title IV institutions that offered distance education courses, the most common factors behind adding such programs to their curriculum included:
- Meeting student demand for flexible schedules (68 percent).
- Increasing access to college for all students (67 percent).
- Increasing the availability of courses (46 percent).
- Increasing student enrollment (45 percent).
Available Online Degrees
These days, you can earn almost any type of degree from an online program of study:
- Associate's Degrees: Especially popular among those enrolled in distance learning courses, an associate's degree can be earned in as little at two years - sometimes less.
- Bachelor's Degrees: Generally earned in four to five years, bachelor's degree programs typically require a student to take several general education elective courses as well as courses that are more focused in a particular area of study.
- Master's Degrees: Students who earn a master's degree typically do so within one to three years of concentrated study in a specific field of knowledge.
- Doctoral Degree: Commonly referred to as a Ph.D., or a Doctor of Philosophy, earning a doctoral degree generally requires four to six years of study beyond the master's level.
