How does the quality compare between online curriculum and traditional university curriculum?

This is the number one concern for many prospective students. Nobody wants to spend time and money on a worthless education. In terms of the material covered, online and traditional classes are very similar and often indistinguishable. Online courses are not “watered down” versions of their brick-and-mortar counterparts.

Furthermore, the educational effectiveness of the online format has not been shown to be inferior to traditional class formats. In some ways, online work is more effective, because the student can proceed at their own pace, never having to wait for the other students, nor pretend to understand for fear of ostracism.

What is the reputation of online degrees? Do employers respect them?

What began as a new, uncertain industry has really come of age. Online degrees are now respected much more than they used to be, and the actual degree program (including the specific school) will determine the reputation of your education. Just like with traditional universities, there is a wide range of program offerings from various schools, meaning that the quality of programs ranges from iffy to spiffy.

As for employers, they are generally much more concerned with real-life work experience. For this reason, many people are taking advantage of online degrees while they continue to work at their job. This shows employers that you can work and learn, which is often more impressive than the traditional 4-year student who is fresh out of college.

Like all serious life choices, it is imperative that you do your due diligence to find an online program that is of the caliber which you’re seeking. MyDegreeOnline.com is here to help you along in that process.

Will advanced graduate degrees accept online coursework?

Many traditional schools have a bias against online class work, and thus some graduate programs do not accept online degrees. However, this varies considerably by the specific institution from which the online degree is earned. What many people don’t realize is that traditional universities often offer online programs, so you get the name recognition and prestige of the school combined with the efficiency and flexibility of the online option. Furthermore, many graduate schools offer their advanced degrees online, so it’s possible to complete both your undergrad and graduate studies from the comfort of your home.

If you have a specific graduate program in mind, we recommend that you determine which online undergrad programs are applicable.

What options are there for financial aid?

Fortunately, many traditional financial aid programs can indeed apply to online programs. For specifics on this, please see the Financial Aid page.

How do the costs of online programs compare with traditional university programs?

One of the primary advantages of online degrees is the cost-effectiveness. While many students believe they must shell out tens of thousands of dollars every year for a traditional university, the new world of online education is proving that to be incorrect. Students can now get similar educations (and sometimes better educations) for far less using the online format. The reasons for this should be obvious – less school overhead, less maintenance, fewer auxillary staff, etc.

Just like traditional degrees, online degrees have a wide range of pricing based on your goals. However, they usually cost just a fraction of the comparable traditional degree.

View the programs here to get a specific cost breakdown.

Will my current computer be adequate for the classwork?

Your current computer, on which you’re reading this website, is almost certainly adequate for any and all online class work. As long as you have an internet connection, and some kind of software like Microsoft Office (to which there are now free alternatives such as OpenOffice.org), you should not have a problem completing assignments. As a final piece of equipment, a phone is probably very useful so you can discuss course work with your professor.

Some online programs require specific educational software, but this is typically included with your tuition and is downloaded onto your computer when the program is initiated.

Will I be required to attend classroom activities?

Typically, classroom attendance is rare or nonexistent. Most online courses can be taken completely off-site, so if you want to learn in your bedroom, on your patio, or at the coffee shop you will have no problem. However, certain courses will require or strongly suggest periodic physical class attendance and sometimes this is unavoidable based on the nature of your curriculum (you may need hands on training in the lab, for example).

Learn about the specifics of your preferred course here.

Will my schedule work for an online degree?

Many people get the impression that online degrees are fast, easy, and don’t require much effort. While they do offer considerable flexibility, we must stress the importance of dedicating significant time to your online education.

Most people taking online degrees do hold a part- or full-time job, so if you’re willing to put the time into both then there shouldn’t be much conflict. Perhaps the greatest advantage of an online degree is that typically they are not scheduled for rigid hours during the day. No matter what your schedule is, you can work through your curriculum when you have time available, whether that’s early in the morning, late at night, or scattered throughout the day.

Online degrees are compatible with almost any schedule, so as long as you’re ready to put in the required effort (usually 10-20 hours per week), you should find a great deal of flexibility and convenience.

How quickly can I graduate?

Online degrees are typically earned much faster than traditional degrees. A Bachelor’s degree will take four-years if completed in a physical classroom, but only 2-3 years when complete in an online format. To accomplish this, each class in the program occurs one-at-a-time, so assignments can go back and forth much faster and the learning process is more efficient.

Furthermore, if your goal is maximizing your education, online programs allow you to take more class credits per year than traditional universities (25 or more compared to 18).  While this extra education is not mandatory, it can often give students the competitive edge in their skills.

Do I have to complete the entire course in 2-3 years?

As mentioned, one of the greatest benefits to online degrees is the time flexibility. You can take as much time as you need to complete the course, so if your career steps in and demands more of your time, you won’t have to feel like it’s one or the other. Learn at your own pace, and work to your own goals.

Are transfer credits accepted?

Based on the specific program you wish to take, the majority of online universities do accept transfer credits (as long as credits come from a recognized, accredited institution). Please make sure to review the available programs to determine credit transfer details.

Do real, licensed professors teach the courses?

Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t real! Online professors typically have Masters or Doctorate degrees in the fields they teach. The online universities put teachers through rigorous training, and often hire them from traditional 4-year colleges. Some very good professors simply prefer the online format, for the same reasons expressed by students. Furthermore, many online professors also teach standard in-class courses at their local universities, so they are sometimes the very same people.

What many people fail to realize is that online professors often have more real-world experience than their traditional academic counterparts in 4-year universities. The reason for this is that most traditional professors spend their time working up through the educational system, while most online professors had successful careers in the fields which they then come back to teach. This is especially true in the business fields, and the result of this real-world experience can be a major advantage for the students who take advantage of it.

If you are concerned about the quality of professors, we encourage you to learn about the various programs and the credentials of the instructors. This information is readily available and will help you make the right decision.

What assurance is there that the online program is legitimate and credible?

Well let’s be honest here, not all online programs are legitimate and credible. Certainly, some courses are simply there to take some money and put some lousy coursework together, passing anyone who cares to send in their answers. These organizations are known as “diploma mills.” On the other hand, many online universities are outstanding, professional, and widely respected in their fields. Even Ivy League schools now offer complete online courses.  The range of quality is thus very diverse, and MyDegreeOnline.com is here to put the best, most respected, and most well-received online courses in front of you.

As with all schools, various accreditation exists to help prospective students filter the good online programs from the bad.  With some simple due diligence, you’ll get a very good idea of the reputation of various online institutions. The U.S. Department of Education provides an updated list of schools which are considered to be credible institutions. This list includes not just traditional colleges, but online universities as well.

You can see the Department of Education list here:  http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.asp

What types of programs are available?

The quick answer is… all types!  Whether you’re seeking an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or even certain PhDs, you’ll be able to find your education in an online format. If you don’t need a full degree, many online universities offer specific training courses with their certificate programs (a great way to impress your employer).

At MyDegreeOnline.com, we showcase the best online programs in the following categories:

• Art & Design Degrees
• Business Degrees
• Criminal Justice Degrees
• Culinary Arts Degrees
• Education Degrees
• Engineering Degrees
• Health Care Degrees
• Human Services Degrees
• Legal Degrees
• Liberal Arts Degrees
• Nursing Degrees
• Political Science Degrees
• Religious Studies Degrees
• Science & Math Degrees
• Technology & IT Degrees

How will this help me?

Knowledge is power… and money. The modern economy values information and skills, which evolving all the time. If you want to stay competitive, marketable, and knowledgeable, online degrees offer a flexible and cost-effective way to accomplish this goal. Education should be a life-long process, and for those who realize this, they stand to earn greater salaries and participate to a greater extent in the world’s various industries.

The Department of Commerce estimates that college graduates will earn roughly twice the income of a non-college graduate over the course of their life. Combine this with educated investing and money management skills, and it becomes clear that higher education typically results in a vastly different living standard.

Whether you want to be in demand or simply in the know, online university programs offer the most cost-effective means to get there.