Overview Login Read More. Related Publications. Do I need one? Read More. We also provide information about the cost of an online degree and career options for online college graduates. Average salaries for each program were calculated using earnings in the first year after graduation sourced from the release of the Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Average salary is calculated using earnings data from the release of the Department of Education's College Scorecard. The data represents median earnings in the year after graduation for graduates at all the U.
The average for each program is based on the degree level specified in the salary description and is weighted based on the number of students in the program at each college. Online education, also referred to as distance or virtual learning, is the process of taking educational courses remotely via the internet. Many students are attracted to the online format because of its convenience and self-directed nature, and in some cases, because of its lower cost when all factors are taken into consideration.
Over the past decade or so, there has been a rising popularity in online learning , with enrollment in virtual learning programs increasing even as enrollment in college programs overall has declined.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, between and , total college enrollment decreased by about 1. As of , Although many students are aware they can take select classes online, some wonder if they can earn their entire degree online. The answer is yes. Programs are available from traditional schools, research institutions, and specialty schools, such as religious colleges.
The curriculum and coursework for these degrees are comparable to those of on-campus degrees, and the courses are often taught by the same instructors. If you think you might prefer virtual learning, you might consider earning one of the most popular online bachelor's degrees , such as business, nursing, health science, history, psychology, biology, and communications. There are a few majors—such as nursing and social work—that require students to engage in experiential learning activities under the supervision of a professional.
In these instances, online students are usually able to complete this requirement at an approved facility near their home. In rare instances, a school may require online students to come to campus for brief periods of two to 10 days for orientation or other types of in-person learning events.
This requirement is usually stated on the program pages of school websites. Just like earning an on-campus degree, the first couple of years of your online program will provide you with a broad education in a number of essential subjects, such as math, social sciences, language arts, and natural sciences.
You'll also take several introductory courses in your major. During the last couple of years of your four-year degree program, you'll take upper-level courses and electives related to your major and possibly a minor, if you wish.
Throughout it all, you'll have ample opportunities to interact with your instructors and network with peers via the school's online learning system. With relatively few exceptions—such as music performance, anthropology, or studio fine art—there is an online master's degree program for nearly any subject you might want to study.
In addition, many colleges are planning to add between three and six new online master's programs each year. The self-paced classes and flexible schedules of online programs appeal to many master's students, who are often working adults with full-time jobs and other commitments. At these two-year colleges, students can earn associate degrees or certificates or complete many general education requirements before transferring to a four-year university.
Community colleges are generally operated by the local or state government, and they typically accept all students and charge low tuition fees. Unique to the virtual learning landscape, there are some online schools that enable students to earn bachelor's degrees in as little as two years through accelerated programs. Public colleges and universities vary dramatically in size and scope. They typically offer bachelor's degrees in a wide range of subjects, as well as master's degrees and doctorates.
Because public schools get funding from the states that operate them, they are generally able to charge lower tuition rates. Similar to their state-run counterparts, private colleges and universities offer degree programs at all levels: bachelor's, master's, and doctorates.
These schools are funded by student tuition, alumni gifts, and endowments, and may be more expensive to attend than many public colleges. Private colleges can be further categorized:. Online programs utilize some form of learning management system, referred to as an LMS , to deliver course materials, submit homework assignments, and facilitate interaction among students and instructors.
Learning activities are posted on the site, which is accessible only to enrolled students, and may include readings, lectures, homework, and other assignments. Students also are able to engage in class discussion through online discussion boards and typically complete assignments when it's convenient for them but by a set deadline. When an online course is structured in a way that enables students to work entirely on their own schedules, independent of one another and the instructor, it is called an asynchronous course.
In some cases, however, there may be a need for students to work with each other or the instructor in real time, which makes it a synchronous course.
Some schools have also created hybrid programs, in which the students conduct most of their education online but are required to come to campus for short periods to engage in live learning activities.
What is easy for one student may be challenging for another and vice versa, which is why no one particular degree can be considered easier than others.
However, for many students, earning a degree online can be easier than taking the traditional route due to flexible schedules, self-paced learning, and the availability of online student resources, such as tutoring and academic advising. Virtual learners may also find it easier to identify the best program to fit their needs because there are so many online programs to choose from without having to leave home. There are many good degrees to get online, and they are available at all levels, from associate to doctoral degrees.
When choosing one, you might want to factor in your personal learning style and strengths. Online courses are often asynchronous, which means you'll most likely do a great deal of reading and writing and have somewhat less direct contact with your instructor.
If, for example, you're the type of student who needs interactive explanation and demonstration to understand a certain topic—such as mathematical calculations—you may find it challenging to earn an online degree in a math-heavy subject like finance or accounting.
On the other hand, you might excel at online research and writing, in which case you might do well in an online degree program for human resources or communications. If technology is already a strength, you might be well suited to earn an online degree in data science or information technology. With thousands of possibilities at five different degree levels to choose from — associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate, plus certificates — selecting an online degree can seem overwhelming at first.
There are various factors students consider when choosing an online program. These factors relate to career goals, finances, coursework, and transfer credits. This page is designed to help prospective students explore their many options and make the right choice in their online program.
Online associate degrees typically can be completed in two years and are available for a variety of programs. Online students who've graduated from an associate degree program will often be more competitive in the job market, especially in technical and vocational fields, compared to those with only a high school diploma or GED.
Online associate degrees are also a solid stepping stone for those looking to earn and transfer credits to a four-year institution so they can continue on to more advanced degrees. Bachelor's degree programs can usually be completed online in four years. Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees are available online in almost any area of study imaginable, from popular subjects such as engineering to less common subjects such as personal training or Christian counseling.
Graduates of an online bachelor's degree program will find themselves qualified for a wide range of jobs, or they may advance their studies by pursuing a master's degree. Online master's degree programs are a valuable option for students hoping to pursue graduate-level education at a flexible pace, as many programs are designed to allow online students to continue full-time work while completing their studies. Online master's degrees typically take two years to complete and are available in most subjects.
Obtaining a doctoral degree is one of the ultimate ways to achieve excellence in a field, and there are a variety of online doctorates available. The time required for completion of these degrees varies, depending on whether the online student is full-time or part-time. Prospective doctoral students can explore degree offerings in business , psychology , computer science , and a wide variety of other subject areas.
Certificates are available online for students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Online certificates can serve as a supplement to a degree, or as a standalone qualification. There are over 7, online certificate programs to choose from, many leading to job opportunities as physical therapy assistants , occupational therapy assistants , dental assistants , and veterinary technicians.
There are many areas of study that an online student might focus on, and deciding which subject to study in college can be a challenge. Students may select a major based on future career goals, interest or skill, or expected salary in a given field. Some of the most popular online degree programs among students include business, criminal justice, art and design, education, liberal studies, engineering, healthcare, computer science, English, information technology, and public health.
Read on for more information about these areas of study. Online business degree programs aim to develop overall analytic, writing, and project management skills as well as an understanding of how organizations work.
Those interested in accounting will find many online programs to choose from at all degree levels, and graduates may qualify for jobs ranging from auditors to accountants. Finance is another popular specialty for those seeking an online business degree and schools offer fully online finance degrees, potentially leading to careers in financial management, budget analysis, and financial advising. Students hoping to pursue business careers related to business management or administration might be interested in learning more about online human resources or management degrees.
A career related to law enforcement, the correctional system, the courts, or perhaps all three may begin with an online degree in criminal justice or a related subject such as forensics, corrections, and criminology.
Those who'd like to learn about crime from a social perspective may be interested in an online criminology degree, of which there are multiple levels available, even an online doctorate. Others may prefer to take a more hands-on approach to deal with crime by studying law enforcement online and preparing for a career in the police force or police administration.
Those interested in cracking cases might be interested in exploring available online options for undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees in crime scene investigation or forensic science. In total, there are 1, programs available to prospective criminal justice online students. Prospective online art students will also find a number of fine arts degrees available, as well as degrees in music and film production. Whatever talents and interests an individual may have, OnlineU has information about the online degree programs best suited to meet the student's career goals.
For those who are passionate about teaching, pursuing an online education degree will provide the skills necessary to make a difference in the lives of others through education. Of the 5, education degrees available fully online, students will find degrees tailored to a wide variety of specialties. The breadth of available online degrees in education can lead to a variety of specializations, including elementary education, early childhood education , curriculum and instruction, administration and leadership , higher education, reading and literacy, and special education.
Pursuing an online education degree will help students realize their dreams of becoming teachers, principals, higher education administrators, and more. The broad umbrella of liberal studies is a smart choice for online students who are hoping to expand their worldview and develop stronger critical-thinking and communication skills. The field of liberal studies includes a wide array of online courses, from English to anthropology , physics to mathematics , psychology to music.
There are associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and 2 doctoral degrees in liberal studies subjects available in a fully online format. Because career paths for graduates with an online liberal studies degree vary widely depending on the program of study, looking over our more specific subject pages will help prospective students learn more about the many available options. Engineering may be the ideal field of study for anyone who enjoys applying scientific skills to real-world problems.
Online engineering programs are available at the introductory level for new students, with a number of options at both the associate and bachelor's levels.
For those more experienced in the field, online master's and doctoral degrees in engineering are available as well. Interested students should also research what engineering specializations appeal to them, as online programs are available in areas such as electrical engineering , civil engineering , software engineering , and mechanical engineering.
Graduates of an online engineering degree program may find work at research labs, governmental agencies, large corporations, construction sites, or small companies. A wide range of healthcare-related degrees are available online, including programs in nursing , pharmacy , nutrition , personal training , public health , respiratory therapy , healthcare administration, and medical and dental assisting.
These online degree programs prepare students interested in promoting health and wellness to ensure others maintain healthy lives. Careers in healthcare vary from hands-on positions, like working as a dental assistant, to more administrative roles, such as working behind the scenes to provide others with exceptional care.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that many of these in-demand careers have a bright outlook. Online degrees in healthcare-related fields are available at all levels, with a variety of associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate degrees to choose from. Some people assume that health care-related degrees can't be earned online because they often require hands-on, experiential learning modules called practicums, fieldwork, or internships.
However, many accredited colleges and universities have overcome this barrier and now offer online degrees in a wide range of health-related subjects. Nursing degrees at every level are some of the most popular online programs. Other options include associate degrees in medical assisting, medical office administration, and sonography; bachelor's degrees in health science and health care management; and master's degrees in speech language pathology, public health, and counseling.
No, currently in the U. There are a few programs at foreign schools, but these programs do not prepare graduates to become licensed MDs here in the U. Paige Butterfield. Pat Turnbull. Regina Ford-Cahill. Richard Echevarria. Robert Dills. Samson Lee. Sempra Employee Giving Network. Tony Piucci. Search Posts Login. Thursday, 18, Nov. Thursday, 28, Oct.
Tuesday, 19, Oct. Tuesday, 12, Oct. Thursday, 1, Jul. Wednesday, 9, Jun. Any program or school that needs work will be placed on review and may lose accreditation if they don't meet the guidelines.
According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or CHEA, there are 60 accrediting boards for individual programs and 19 institutional accrediting organizations in the United States.
Institutional accrediting bodies are organized into the following categories: regional, national faith-related and national career-related. Faith-based universities might hold accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation while a career-based institution might receive accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Many programs also maintain accreditation, including those in audiology, construction education, teaching, massage therapy, and computer science.
The CHEA offers a complete list of recognized accrediting boards. Universities typically provide a statement regarding their accreditation status on their websites because this is an important fact to know when choosing a college.
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