Posts Tagged ‘higher education’

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The Many Advantages of Online Education

August 20th, 2011

Many traditional college administrators are concerned that the difficult economic times in which we find ourselves will result in shrinking enrollments. In fact, many colleges and universities have already experienced enrollment declines of five or six percent. That is enough to lead to shrinkage in staff, programs, and other important budget lines.

Post high school trade, career, and technical school personnel are experiencing the same fears, and with good reason. Schools and colleges that don’t reach their enrollment goals experience financial shortfalls, resulting in underfunded academic or student support services budgets.

Meanwhile, online college and online university enrollment managers have no such worries. For the most part, they are seeing dramatic enrollment increases. Here are five reasons why.

1. Students enrolled in online degree or certificate programs do not have to move from their place of residence. They can take courses offered by online colleges and online universities throughout the world without the need to relocate.

2. Online degree students can move whenever they wish. If they choose to move, for any reason, it won’t slow their degree progress. So, if you are offered a new job 1,000 miles from your current home or if you seek a different climate, you won’t be held back, even if you are in the middle of earning a degree. That’s real freedom.

3. Online colleges allow students to earn a degree without interrupting their careers. They can earn an online college degree without being locked into inflexible class meeting days and times.

4. It is not necessary to wait for the beginning of a new semester to enroll in a degree program. Online college programs allow students to get started as soon as they wish.

5. Online college degree programs save students the time and trouble of commuting. The expense, too.

All of us should continue our education. Higher education, in particular, can help us achieve personal growth, improve our career mobility, and increase our earnings. And now, online education gives all of us the chance to enjoy those benefits.

Larry Libassi is an educator and writer. Among his interests are helping adults choose an online college program that meets their needs, and encouraging them to earn a online degree.

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Should You Pursue a College Degree Online?

July 26th, 2011

The traditional image of a college student is someone who leaves his or her home and goes to a college campus, spending a lot of money and four complete years in order to get a degree. This image of college life has been turned on its head by changes in the world, especially in the realm of electronic communication. Today, distance learning, which was once associated only with clunky correspondence courses, has become an attractive alternative to on-campus learning.

One of the most attractive features of studying at home with an online or distance learning program is that it allows you to be more flexible. Studying at home may be a better fit for your present lifestyle. You wouldn’t have to give up your job or leave your family if you decide to enroll in an online program. In addition there is no need to get the degree finished within the traditional four year period. You can adjust it to fit your present schedule. All of these are important, especially if you are an adult who wants to get a college degree.

Another important factor in choosing how you are going to go to college is the question of finances. College tuition costs have skyrocketed, and even the cost of commuting to college has risen considerably.

Distance learning courses do not demand as much from the universities. They do not have to build new buildings or labs, and in many cases these savings are passed on to the enrolled students. In addition, anyone who studies at home will have fewer commuting costs and can usually save money on accommodations.

The perceived gap between traditional on-campus programs and online or distance learning has also changed in the past ten years. For example, a student studying on a campus might watch a lecture on a video, rather than sit in a huge lecture hall, while a student studying at home can also attend a lecture by watching a video on the Internet. The power of technology has made the question of distance irrelevant.

For someone who doesn’t fit the image of the usual 18-22 year old college student, there is another attractive advantage to distance learning courses. Many online programs reward you for your experience in life by giving you college credit for work done in jobs or volunteer situations. In addition, many of these programs accept previously earned credits and the result is that some students can get their degrees in shorter time periods.

If you need a college degree in order to improve your career and cannot enroll in a traditional college, look around for an online program that can meet your lifestyle and career needs.

Diane Palmer is a retired university Dean of Students who consults with an organization that owns websites on online colleges and online degree programs.

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The Value of Internships

June 13th, 2011

When you begin your college career, you might very well hear the word “internship,” usually spoken by your adviser or the head of the career services office. As you get closer to graduation, you will almost certainly hear it much more often, and it will probably come from the mouths of your friends and classmates.

Aside from a bachelor’s degree, a successful internship might be the biggest asset you can take into today’s highly competitive job market. In fact, many folks will tell you that what they learned in internships is as useful as what they picked up in the classroom.

Colleges and universities reward interning students with academic credit; credit which moves them closer to a degree. On some campuses, there are full time staff members to advise students on internships. At other institutions, students seeking internships begin by speaking with their adviser, usually a faculty member in the department in which they are majoring.

Also, even though internships are deservedly notorious for grunt work (filing, making copies, getting coffee, etc.), an intern has the chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at a profession in which they may have potential interest.

Successful completion of an internship looks great on a resume or an application to professional or graduate school. It shows that you had initiative before you absolutely had to enter the real world. And, it means your expectations are probably pretty reasonable; a fact not lost on prospective employers and admissions committees.

An internship can also be a source of great contacts. Students are often in need of recommendation letters, and while most people default to their professors, you will also be able to obtain a recommendation from someone who is in your chosen profession and has observed you in it.

An internship could also lead to a job offer. A hard working intern will not go unnoticed, and may get a job where he/she has interned or as the result of a recommendation from someone at the organization they served. It happens every day.

So, how valuable are internships? For the most part, they are as valuable as you make them. Work hard, learn as much as you can, and do all assigned work, even the tedious stuff, with energy and good cheer. If you do, you’re likely to be rewarded.

Jon Parsons writes about college scholarships, financial aid, online degrees and other college-related subjects.

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