8 Benefits of Getting an Online Degree
Over the past year, online education has risen to the top. Many students who had never considered studying online have been forced to continue their education online due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing campus closures and new ways of learning around the world. However, online education is certainly not new. Online degree programs have been available for the past couple of decades and for many students, they are the best option available for getting a new qualification and improving their career outlook. While online education might not be the best choice for everybody, many online students thrive in this environment. Here are some of the main reasons why online education is becoming even more popular, and why it could be a good fit for you.
Choice of Programs
Online education gives you the option to choose from a wider variety of programs and schools compared to what’s available in your area. Not every student is able to move away to attend college, and if you need to stay in your local area because of work or family commitments while you are studying, getting an online degree is a great way to find more study opportunities and get your qualification from some of the best schools in the country even if you are hundreds of miles away. If you live close to colleges that don’t offer the major you are interested in, online education is the way forward as it provides you with access to hundreds of high-quality programs without the need to relocate.
Added Flexibility
Studying online is often the best option for students who have other commitments thanks to the extra flexibility that it provides. If you are currently working in nursing, for example, the online BSN to DNP programs from Baylor University allow you to continue working as a nurse while advancing your career with a new qualification online. Or let’s say as another example, you’re pursuing an online accounting degree, Rasmussen’s online degree program allows you to complete course work at your own pace and can complete course assignments at any time before the end of the term. Online education can easily be fit around your lifestyle and commitments, whether you are a working professional who does not have the time to attend set classes on campus or a busy stay-at-home parent who needs a degree option that can easily be fit around school hours. Many online degree options allow students to get their degree without any set meetings or schedule, so that you can design a learning schedule that is tailored to your lifestyle and works best for you.
Save Money
Online degrees often charge less than you would expect to pay at a traditional school. But while some online degree programs might not cost you less in tuition fees, they can still be cheaper overall. This is especially true if you have a lot of transfer credits or are returning to education as an adult in order to change your career. Many online programs make learning materials available online, allowing you to make savings on textbooks. And, the fact that you can study from home means that you won’t need to worry about the cost of relocating to a new college town or commuting to class on a daily basis. The cost of gas and parking alone can quickly add up, leaving you with some huge savings if you decide to study online instead.
Networking
Studying for an online education program does not have to be an isolating experience. In fact, there will be opportunities for you to network with peers from all over the country, making it a very socially interesting experience and a great way to make friends with people that you may not have crossed paths with otherwise. Many online schools will also hold regular in-person networking events that you can travel to, or local meet-ups with students who live in the same area. Not only can you make lots of friends when studying online, but it’s also the ideal way to get excellent references and network with people who may be able to help you find your future career.
Pacing
Many online degree programs are flexible enough for you to be able to work at your own pace. While some students might be happy with following the pace of a traditional degree program with the rest of the students, there will always be the option for you to slow down if your workload is getting too heavy, or work at a faster pace if you’re getting frustrated with things that are moving slow. No matter your personal situation, you can speed up or slow down your study based on what you need right now. If being able to work at your own pace is an important factor for you as a student, look for an online program that offers flexible start and finish dates.
Continue Working
Online education is a popular choice for adults who are looking to advance in their current career or change careers altogether. Due to flexible, open scheduling that allows you to determine when you want to work based on your lifestyle and commitment needs, it is easy to continue working in your current career while getting an online degree to help facilitate your future career goals.
Various Teaching Options
The wide variety of different online education programs that are available means that it is easy for most students to find a style of learning and evaluation that suits them best. Whether you are looking for something that you can do in your own time or at your own pace, want regular one-to-one attention with a tutor, prefer to take tasks, complete coursework, or create a portfolio, there is an option for everybody.
Highly Effective
Finally, online learning is a highly effective method of getting a degree. In 2009, a study from the Department of Education found that online students outperformed students learning in a traditional campus setting. As an online student, you will not only be learning the subject that you’ve chosen to study, but it’s also a chance to develop some key transferable skills like self-management, research, communication and more.
Whether you’re looking to change careers, advance your current career or learn something new, online degree programs are an ideal choice for almost anyone.
