The Ultimate Guide to Getting Accredited Online Degree
Do you wish to learn how to get an accredited degree online? Here is an ultimate guide to getting accredited online degree programmes for you!
In days past, anyone looking to earn an academic degree had to attend a brick-and-mortar school and participate in traditionally scheduled classes to learn. Commuting to campus was not such a terribly convenient exercise, especially not for people with commitments (like family and work) which made it difficult to maintain regular schedules. However, people persevered because there were no viable alternatives to the traditional on-campus system of learning.
But then the internet exploded in a big bang, and utilities filling the need for online learning popped up all over the place. And before anyone could say “Uni…”, renowned academic institutions created portals on the web for people to ‘join in’ on their classes from remote locations and earn certification for their efforts.
And so the online degree was born.
I urge you to also read on the following:
- How to study in the US
- How to study in the UK
- How to study in Canada
Why the Online Learning Trend?
Today, people no longer have to leave the comfort of their homes to go to school. They only have to fire up their computing devices, sign up for or log in to the appropriate platform, and “go to school” from the convenience of their homes.
And they get to earn degrees that are virtually the same as what they would have earned if they were physically present on campus!
Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are embracing the opportunity to earn degrees without actually stepping in a classroom. And they are continuously searching for information to help them make choices they will not regret.
You are probably one of them.
This blog was created just for you. To keep you abreast of developments in the online learning sector. To inform you of the things that are most likely to disrupt the online classroom (and disrupt online education in general) so that you can position yourself to take full advantage of such opportunities. To help you identify online learning offerings that are best suited to you, and help you get the best out of your resources as you work towards your online degree.
This is a first in a series of articles which we will publish just for you. This article defines online education, compares it with the traditional on-campus education, lists out what to expect from an online education and the resulting online degree, and generally sets the tone for future articles that will help ease your foray into online education.
So, let’s dive in already!
What is an online degree?
An online degree is an academic degree that is earned through online learning. Online learning is a formal education process where the student and the instructor are not in the same place, but are connected to each other by means of internet-enabled computing devices – think, smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc. The instructor creates a gallery of learning resources in video, image, text and any other interactive format, and uploads them to the appropriate online learning platform. Authenticated students access these learning resources and learn at their own convenience.
Read also on How to Create a Standard eLearning Course
Why go for an online degree?
Online learning provides a flexible way for people to learn on their own terms. Online learning empowers students to take control of their learning experience, as they can build and shape their curriculum in ways that best fit their daily routines. With online learning, students can learn from anywhere and at anytime – they can learn wherever and whenever is most convenient for them.
Which schools offer the most valuable online degree programme?
Ten of the best accredited online universities (and online campuses) which offer the most valuable online degree are:
- Pennsylvania State University World Campus
- Colorado State University Global Campus
- Boston University Online
- North Eastern University Global Network
- Havard University Online
- University of South California Online
- Columbia University Online
- Purdue University Online
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (through Carolina Courses Online)
- Southern Methodist University (through the Continuing and Professional Education division)
What courses are the best for obtaining accredited online degrees in?
One can obtain online degrees in a plethora of courses. However, one will be best served obtaining online degrees for one of the following ten courses:
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Psychology
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Public Health
- Theology
How much does it cost to obtain an accredited online degree?
Online degrees save students money compared to equivalent traditional on-campus degrees. This is usually because online learners (unlike on-campus learners) do not need to pay for things like campus housing, transportation, health services and recruitment. Furthermore, schools do not have to maintain campus infrastructure for their online students. The modal cost of obtaining a sound online degree from a highly respected eduational institution is in the range of $10,000 – $15,000.
How long does it take to get an accredited online degree?
The amount of time taken to complete an online education and obtain an accredited online degree largely depends on the institution they are learning from and the program they are pursuing. A typical online Bachelor’s degree program can be completed in two to three years (as opposed to three to four years for an on-campus Bachelor’s degree) while an online Master’s degree can be finished in under a year, and an online Doctorate degree in two years.
How do employers regard online degree holders?
These days employers are more interested in what potential employees know and can do, than where and how they obtained their degrees (so long as accreditation is intact). They will probably be concerned about the social skills of the prospect who did all their studies online, but as long as one can demonstrate excellent social skills during the interview phase, they should not have anything to worry about.
What is the future of online learning?
Online learning has gone a long way since it first began. In its foundational days, online learning focused on making digital learning resources. Today, this focus has been refined in the direction of mobility. With online learning resources evolving to effectively function through mobile platforms, online learners can get their education on the go!
In the not-too-distant future, online education providers will integrate solid career support functionalities into their platforms, so that online students can have the same access to careers advice and services as their on-campus counterparts.
Read also: online learning platforms in Nigeria
Parting words
Online learning is the future of learning. It gives learners total control over their learning experience. The unique selling promise here is that online learners can learn what they want to learn, how they want to learn it, and when they want to learn it. And this is remarkably empowering. In a survey of the different modes of learning by the Babson Survey Research Group, online learners reported a significantly higher level of satisfaction with their online learning experience than their on-campus learning counterparts. Without any doubts, one can say online learning is the future.
There are a ton of great sites out there accredited online degree programmes. Here are some of our favourites:
