Before the internet, several schools offered a series of correspondence courses to allow people to earn their degrees remotely. These schools were effective to various degrees, allowing some highly dedicated people to complete coursework around other jobs and family life. Nevertheless, the number of people interested and able to complete these courses without in-person direction remained low, and some of the schools developed bad reputations for being degree mills.
After nations worldwide went into lockdown in 2020, educational institutions and students faced a real challenge: how can education happen when people can’t gather together? The first reaction was to pivot to using online meeting programs and organizational software, such as Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams. New opportunities arose with many programs in the mix and millions of students and teachers exploring the online education experience.
Unlike correspondence schools and even online schools with questionable reputations in the past, such as the University of Phoenix, universities worldwide have embraced online schooling. Even as most students return to the classroom, there are still more opportunities to earn a bachelor’s degree from home than ever before.
Starting Your Search
You must make a few decisions when considering attending a university to earn your degree. What kind of program are you looking for? Do you work better asynchronously, by attending scheduled classes, or by a mix of the two? Can you go full-time, or does it suit your schedule better to participate part-time?
These are all important questions that will help narrow down your search for the ideal online university. Not every university offers online programs, and not every university that does so has programs in your desired field. If earning your degree remotely is the right path for you, then I strongly recommend expanding your horizons regarding the school you’re looking for.
Regardless of your degree, there are a few things that you should be sure about:
Accreditation Status
Most employers don’t deeply explore your degrees during the hiring process. Still, your degree may come under scrutiny in specialized fields and further education, such as law, medicine, and more. Take the time to ensure that the appropriate bodies accredit the prospective school. For US-based schools, visit CHEA to find a list of the verified accrediting bodies that universities should cite.
Tuition
Higher education costs a significant amount of money in the United States. While student loans are often available, the combination of relatively high-interest rates with the fact that these loans are permanent (even outlasting declarations of bankruptcy) means that you need to think carefully about how much you’ll spend on completing the course. Even if loans let you attend school without paying much out of pocket, you can still have a significant financial burden alongside your degree.
Online Availability
This aspect relates to whether the school leans more towards asynchronous learning or scheduled classes. For self-directed students, asynchronous learning allows you to learn, study, and practice on your schedule. This situation is perfect for those who have busy lives with careers, children, and other obligations. Scheduled classes are better suited for those who struggle to stay focused without direction but can carve out time during the day and evening to attend classes.
How to Make the Most of Your Experience
To succeed in your quest for a degree takes discipline and a bit of luck in finding the right courses. Ultimately, the most important thing is that you show up and try every day. Whether sitting at an organized desk, attending class from your couch in pajamas, or completing online course modules on your phone during breaks at work, remember that you’re working towards an improved future.
Sometimes, people worry that time spent working towards a degree will be wasted if they don’t finish the program on schedule. Not at all! Credits earned at an accredited university are almost always transferrable to other schools. Therefore, if you start a program and find it’s not for you, you should finish the current classes and exit that university. When you find one better suited to you, you can often pick up where you left off and not lose any progress.
You can also slow down and take fewer classes at a time if you find your stress levels rising. Consider the following as you pursue your degree.
- You’re not alone in your quest. Regardless of your class, there will be other students in similar situations. Even though you might never meet in person, these people can become long-lasting friends and study buddies. Don’t be afraid to ask them what techniques and resources work for them.
- Aim to fill your schedule to about 80% of your capacity. You’ll often find that classes are more demanding than you first expected. Unless you’re going to work exclusively on your degree and don’t have family or working lives to worry about, then aim to take one or two fewer courses than you initially thought you could handle. This reduction will allow you to complete all assignments and study for tests more effectively, letting you pass your classes without pulling out your hair.
- You only need to pass the classes. While the ideal focus is learning the subject matter, if you attend a school to earn your degree, remember that what matters is whether you earned the degree. While it is wonderful to graduate with a 4.0 GPA, it’s equally true that the person who graduates last in their class at medical school still gets called “Doctor.”
Online schooling lets you make your educational experience fit your life in ways that previously weren’t possible. Explore your options online and find the right university for you. There’s no better time than today to start making your future better.