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Popularity of Online Degrees Increases

14 January 2010 982 views 79 Comments

Online DegreeOnline education (the modern version of “correspondence school”) has come of age. No longer is an online degree considered second class. These degrees are being accepted almost universally as legitimate and on the same level as a traditional degree. That fact is not being overlooked by people who cannot afford to quit their jobs and go to a college or university. These are people who have no way to finance a degree. Besides they may have responsibilities that prohibit them from realizing their dreams of a different future, a better job, and the ability to earn their livings by doing something that satisfies them.

Online degree programs are seeing a surge in enrollment. For example, the University of Minnesota, Crookston, has seen a 41 percent increase in the past three years. Administrators attribute this to accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and two popular new bachelor’s degrees that can be obtained entirely online.

Not only are schools offering online degrees becoming accredited, more and more employers who are hiring degreed workers are accepting the online degree as equivalent to the one earned in a traditional program. This is true in the US but it is also happening all over the world.

Most popular online degrees are the associate degree (typically a 2-year degree) and the bachelor’s degree (4-year). Getting an online teaching degree, for example, is becoming extremely popular. There’s a shortage of teachers, so with an accredited degree, one is almost assured of finding a good job. Add to that the fact that teachers’ salaries have been going up for some time, and the possibility of earning a very good living is just around the corner if you opt to enroll in an online degree program in education.

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79 Comments »

  • Deepika Upadhyay said:

    i think it is very helpful and affordable to people who cannot afford or do not have time to attend college.

  • Deepika Upadhyay said:

    I thinks it’s very helpful and affordable to people who cannot afford or don’t have time to go to the college.

  • AK said:

    knowing about another means of education can help people choose the path most fit for them. good to know!

  • Antigone said:

    New jobs are being created for things we have yet to discover a need for, and I think this article fits this striking truth. Thanks!

  • brittani said:

    Once again, getting an entire online degree in something with no hands on experience seems just a little too easy to me.

  • ashlynn said:

    I think that its a great idea

  • Liz said:

    something to think about…

  • Amber said:

    Earning an online degree is more convinient for me because there have been several instances when my nephew has to be kept out of school for being sick. With online classes, I can check in and submit work while staying at home to keep eyes on him. I’m currently working on my Bachelors and plan to sign up for another online degree program in the future.

  • Nefertia said:

    This was a very enlightening information.

  • Nefertia said:

    The information in this article was very enlightening.

  • Angie said:

    I am now furthering my education at Northwestern College online in the Health Information Technology program. I enjoy it because it is flexible and you still have good communication with instructors, faculty and classmates if you have any questions

  • Alisha said:

    Though I am not seeking an online degree, it is helpful to be aware of the “invisible competition”.

  • C said:

    This isn’t for everyone. It takes a disciplined person to make sure they get through the courses in the time lines allowed. This alternative is not for procrastinators…for sure.

  • Adrienne said:

    I have tried the online classes before and it didnt work out for me because im more of a hands on person.

  • Linna said:

    From what I am reading in the article and the comments, it seems as if online degree is much easier. As of right now, I am in Chico State taking classes for Nursing. It seems like High school, but more brief. However, this article kind of gives me an idea to stay glue to my computer to an online degree.

  • Fernanda said:

    i think this is great for people who don’t have time to go to college. Very informative

  • Willard said:

    I understand the poularity of online scholarships which i agree with but i agree you need attemtion too

  • Karen said:

    I am doing the online degree RN to BSN at Grand Canyon, and it is a convenient easily understood method of learning for full time working students.I recommend the enviornment for anyone who wants to further their career with learning opportunities that are available at many of the online universities.

  • Deishali said:

    Considering the human need to ‘get things done as fast as possible’, I think online degrees are going to be pursued a whole lot more (depending on the degree of course).

  • John said:

    Online degree have become very popular due to the fact that most people do have a very busy life style in todays society. If I for one had been attending a brick and morter college while unemployed, I would not have been able to get the current job I have. Online colleges allow people to not only get an education, degree but also balance work, family and their life to better not only themselves but their family too.

  • Riana said:

    I think that’s really awesome that employers are beginning to look at them like traditional diplomas, because Im sure you have to put a lot of work online as well and some people cannot go to the actual universities so I am sure that is ery helpful to them =]!

  • Jon said:

    Interesting article! Never even thought about this.

  • Brittany said:

    I just don’t agree with online degrees. Sure, a few online classes maybe, but when someone’s degree is based solely on online things, then it’s SO incredibly easy for people to pay someone else to take their tests for them, and essentially BUY a degree.
    It’s just something that has always bothered me a lot.
    If the classes required testing to be done IN PERSON at a real location with valid ID, I’d feel much better about the situation.

  • Oliver said:

    i wrote this to get points

  • Amanda said:

    I think this article is a great informant for new college students who are deceiding on a college. I would prefer to attend a college because I would be afraid my work might not go through or get lost, I know this is unlikely. But I think it is a great thing for single parents who might not have time and others with busy schedule’s.

  • cindy said:

    I think in a few years from now achieving an online degree will be the new thing. Although I rather attend school, I think this is a great thing for parents and students who will not be able to commute back and forth due their hectic schedule. It will benefit working parents and students.

  • Betty said:

    I had previously checked out at Western Governors University but changed my degree and needed to attend a 4-yr college to major in Education. Later I can take classes online to receive my Master’s Degree.
    – I’ve taken online courses at a community college & a 4-yr college and loved all but one (Meteorology – shich I feel needs to be in class but maybe ‘because I did not take in high school & do not really care about subject!)

  • Pandita said:

    I thought this article was great on informing students of what they are looking at when starting an online education. I myself am trying to get back in school at Western Governors University(it’s one of the most affordable online schools out there by far) and it is nationally accredited. Plus you’ll save thousands!

  • quin said:

    I thought about taking online classes but i would rather be in the classroom with hands on training since i want to pursue a degree in nursing and that would be kinda hard onliine

  • marcia said:

    i agree

  • jessica said:

    this was interesting and pretty much informative.

  • Amanda Ortman said:

    I think you get out of a degree whatever you put into it. It all comes down to motivation.

  • danielle said:

    I cannot take my degree online. It is a Culinary degree there are still some things you have to do on a campus

  • Emily Lewis said:

    I think online degrees are a great idea. There are some people out there that just cannot afford to go to college or they have other responsibilities that prohibit them from going. A degree is a degree, hard work is hard work.

  • Kate said:

    While this article is not very specific to me, it could help many interested in obtaining their degree online. I know it applies to many men and women; I know a few young women in particular who cannot actually sit in on a class because they have young children at home but would still like to work towards their education.

  • Emmanuel Nimo said:

    Attending school online could be the greatest thing for students who don’t care much about experiencing campus life.

  • britt said:

    Very interesting.

  • Kerry said:

    Online degrees are convenient, but I think you can learn more from people than websites. Teaching yourself is just not as informative.

  • taylor said:

    i think online degrees are a great option for those unable to attend a college.

  • Elizabeth said:

    Hey it’s the only way I can get my degree. I’m a military spouse traveling, online is the most versatile way of getting my degree.

  • Samantha said:

    It looks interesting. I wouldn’t take it personally though. I prefer being in a classroom.

  • Kendall Cressman said:

    very interesting. i will def consider this in my college search

  • Betty said:

    Some people do not have the motivation to work as they should for online courses but there many who realize the convenience they are.
    But whether taking online courses and/or getting loans – everyone should realize the following quote:

    “If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” (Benjamin Franklin)

  • Aeriel said:

    Hmmm, never knew that.

  • solimar said:

    i agree with allison because people now a days need flexible schedules because they have other priorities

  • Feliciana said:

    I think that they are now accepting online degrees. Mainly because many people dont have the resources and opportunities to receive or obtain a higher degree.

  • Laura Deal said:

    This is a very informative article. But I would not take an online class because you wouldn’t be able to have that one-on-one time with a teacher. It would all the through the computer.

  • Simone said:

    an online degree is a great way to get what you need to be done and still stay on top of your work

  • Sarah Beckman said:

    I personally have only taken one online class. They are easy to work around, especially if you are always busy, but I found that it’s harder for me to learn with online education because thats just not my learning style. But i know that it works great for other people.

  • allyson said:

    it’s great to have an option to attend school online. makes it convienient for those who work or have children

  • Aaron Ford said:

    This was interesting. I like it.

  • Cj said:

    both my mother and father recieved online degrees becasue they both work and wanted to earn and do more, online degrees were a revolutionary idea and changes occur every day thanks to this great tool, its both compromising and efficient.

  • Amanda said:

    It’s nice to know that you can earn a degree, even if you need to stay home.

  • Mariah Ray said:

    I think that earning your degree online is a great, fast and easy way for schooling. But as far as social life it is not healthy. I’m a big social fanattic, and I beleive that college is the one time that you can be free of all inhabitions and be able to share your life story and mingle with other cultures without the burden of parents and relationships with bf’s and gf’s getting in your way.

  • Madysen said:

    Personally, I think online degrees are especially great for those who are a bit shy and may find attending college “in real life” intimidating. I’m not one of those people, but I know a few.

  • layla said:

    i dont like online i learn more when i go to the class in person

  • Krystal said:

    Online Education is very beneficial. this artical is very well opinionated.

  • Zack said:

    I have taken several high school classes online and plan to take some college courses on line because it is easy to have a flexible schedule and take classes on your own time.

  • rachael said:

    this is great!

  • rachael said:

    this is a great option for so many people!

  • hilda said:

    that seems good, now more people can get a better job!

  • Alissa said:

    I also agree that this is a great way to earn a diploma.

  • Morgan said:

    I am currently taking an online course and love it.

  • Ana-Maria said:

    Thats so true

  • Ana-Maria said:

    Yeah, I agree

  • yanti said:

    I am taking online program myself, it’s great and save time for traveling.

  • Raymond said:

    I believe it is crucial for everyone in this country to get a college education and if that means attending an online school then so be it.

  • phillisha said:

    To me it seems like you miss out on a lot of active learning when you do online degrees. But if you don’t have the time, then hey do it. It doesn’t matter how you are, you’re never to old to go to a traditional college. I saw an eighty year old man graduate on December 19, 2009 at my sister’s graduation. Everyone clapped for him, it takes courage to go back to school that old.

  • catalina chavez said:

    hi my name is catalina and you have a great page.

  • jon said:

    I think this a great opportunity to continue your education.

  • Ashley said:

    I think this is a great way to earn a diploma, especially for non-traditional students.

  • brianna said:

    online degrees sound nice actually. you can stay home and get things done while going to school…it saves gas.

  • Madeleine said:

    POPULARDEGREE

  • virginia chavira said:

    On line degrees is a wonderful way to also earn a degree. For those people who cannot be on site of a school, this helps them earning a education as well.

  • Jason Bensaull said:

    With the increasing demand to get a job in today’s economy, some people may not have time to attend college. This proves a great alternative to college.

  • Jessica said:

    I think this is a very informative article.

  • Kristie said:

    I somewhat agree. I feel that online degrees are just as valuble as other degrees, if obtained from a reputable school. Many schools aren’t well known or well respected.

  • Brittany said:

    Online degrees are very convinient because people with hecktic lifestyles can earn a degree if they arent able to go to a college

  • Katherine said:

    This article was interesting but does not apply to me. I am a traditional student and have no desire to get my degree online. However, to someone looking to get their degree online, it could be very informative.

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