Guide to Online Education

How it Works

Online classes are very similar to traditional campus-based classes. You have assigned reading, you must participate in class discussions, you write papers and/or take tests, you work with teams, etc. The big difference is that all of these activities take place online. Students typically log into their school’s student portal and access email, class assignments, discussion forums, collaborative team projects, video lectures and much more. All learning and all administrative tasks such as registering for classes, paying tuition, and buying books takes place on the computer. No more fighting traffic, desperately trying to find a parking space, or spending long hours in lecture halls. Everything is done from the comfort of your home.

Taking classes online offers a tremendous amount of flexibility for students, which is essential if you are working, have children, and don’t have time to attend lectures and group meetings during traditional school hours. Many schools don’t follow the traditional Fall, Spring and Summer semester formats, meaning you can start a class anytime it fits your schedule. You can also finish classes more quickly than the typical 3-4 month semester, allowing you to possibly graduate sooner than you expect.

Who Should Apply

Ideal candidates for online education include men and women who need to work full time, older students who want to finish their degrees, people who want to change their careers or get a promotion, moms and dads who cannot be away from home to attend class, and those who do not live near a campus, such as active service members or rural residents.

Before making the decision to return to school, think very carefully about your current commitments to work, family, etc. Is it realistic to think you can devote 15 hours per week (or more) to your studies? The last thing you want to do is spend a lot of money on classes and be unable to complete your degree due to other commitments. Make sure you have your boss’ and family’s buy-in before signing up for classes. Remember, they will be significantly affected by your new schedule.

Many students will find online education to be flexible, convenient, and ideal for adult learners. But online education isn’t for everyone. Click here to get more information on who should consider online learning versus campus-based learning.

Most importantly, you must be absolutely certain about your end goal and stay motivated to the finish. Getting your degree is not easy and will take self-discipline and focus for one, two, even four years.

Concerns About Online Education

Many people have apprehensions about online education; some are justified, but many are not. Below are some common objections and myths about distance learning.

Getting an online degree is easier than a campus-based degree. Online programs generally use the same material and are the same level of difficulty as classroom programs. In fact, some argue that online classes are more difficult since students are required to have more self-discipline and time management skills.
Degrees from alternative programs such as distance education are not as well respected as degrees from traditional programs. Employers increasingly recognize that not everyone has the opportunity to quit their jobs and go to college or graduate school full time. By earning your degree while working, employers will likely appreciate your motivation and willpower to accomplish a significant goal. And as a 2007 Society of Human Resource Management survey found, “Today…there are many more adult learners out there who are getting their degrees online, and many of them are now hiring managers.”
Online universities are diploma mills. Reputable online colleges and universities are accredited by at least one regional or national accreditation body. Beware of any claim that you can get a degree just by paying a fee or that no studying is required. Watch out for schools whose names are closely related to well-known universities or those with no physical mailing address. Ask for references from current or former students.
I won't have much interaction with my professors or other students in an online program. Technology has advanced significantly in the past few years, allowing for videoconferences, online, real-time collaboration, and social networking among students and professors. Gone are the days of putting in a videotape of a lecture or painfully enduring a class chat session. Classes are interactive, personal and customized for students.

Choosing a School

The most important step in choosing a school is deciding what your goal is: changing your career, finishing your degree, getting a promotion, etc. In order to achieve that goal, what education is necessary – not just now, but years down the road? Will you need a master’s degree in addition to a bachelor’s? What about a PhD? Perhaps an MBA is all you will need.

The school you choose should have a program that satisfies both your current and future needs. Some even have combined or accelerated degrees, allowing you to get a nursing degree faster or a combined BBA/MBA. Investigate your options thoroughly.

What is the school’s mission and vision for its students? Does it agree with your philosophy on education? Some students believe it is very important that their school follows a faith-based approach to education. Others prefer schools that cater to older students and their unique needs. How do the professors interact with students, and how do students interact with each other? Is that the approach you prefer?

Also check on your target school’s transfer credit policy. If you already have credits from another institution, see if they would be accepted. What is the school’s policy on CLEP tests or other achievement tests? The more generous the transfer policy, the more time and money you could save on your degree.

Remember that getting your degree is an investment. It provides intangible rewards but you also need to crunch the numbers to make sure you are satisfied with what you are paying for. What will be the total cost of your education, including tuition, books, supplies and loan interest? What kind of bump in your salary would you expect? For a thorough discussion on calculating your return on investment for a degree, click here.

Application Process

Most schools have transferred the entire application process online, streamlining the steps to make it quick and easy to apply.

The first thing to do is fill out a form online to request information from the school. This will get you in their system and you will be contacted by an advisor who can help walk you through the process and answer any questions you have.

You will likely fill out an application for the specific program you are interested in. The application can ask for a variety of information including your high school or college academic record, personal information, work experience and/or resume, one or two essays on certain topics, work samples (if relevant to the program), and information on extracurricular activities.

As part of this process, you will probably need to request transcripts from your high school and/or any colleges or universities where you have taken classes in the past. Don’t forget about transcripts for CLEP or any other standardized tests (such as the SAT, GMAT or GRE) you have taken. Most transcript requests can be done online.

Both applications and transcript requests usually require paying a fee. Make sure you have narrowed down your school choices to three or less in order to save money on multiple fees.

Some schools require recommendations from former teachers or professors, your employer, peers, or any other person qualified to discuss your academic or professional experience.

You may then be required to have an interview with the school. If there is not a campus in the area, this interview may be done via telephone or even email.

At the same time you are applying for school, go ahead and fill out the FAFSA form for federal financial aid and fill out applications for scholarships you might be eligible for.

After turning everything in, you usually have to wait for a few weeks while transcripts are received and the admissions committee considers your application. Most schools will inform you of your acceptance status via mail or email.

Paying for School

Students have many options for paying for their degree, including grants, scholarships, loans, and employer tuition reimbursement. How you finance your education can make a big difference in the final price for your degree. Carefully investigate all your options and take advantage of government programs such as the Pell Grant and the Stafford Loan before taking out a private student loan or charging tuition on your credit card.

Click here for the StudentReady Guide to Financial Aid, a comprehensive descriptions of all your alternatives.

Transferring Credits

After getting in to your school, make sure you apply for as many transfer credits as possible. By applying what you already know, you can save significant sums of money on tuition and speed up your time to graduation.

There are several options for transferring credit including: taking CLEP tests, using credit from other schools, taking tests offered by your school, taking DSST and EXE exams, and applying for ACE CREDIT. To find out about these programs plus many more, click here.

Going to Class

To participate in your classes, you will need a computer and high-speed Internet access. Do NOT try to complete your degree by using a computer at the library, your friend’s computer or your computer at work. Trying to work around someone else’s schedule or fighting for a place in line at the library can be time consuming and put you at risk for not finishing assignments on time. If you use your work computer, your employer may have grounds to fire you for using company property for personal use.

Don’t even try to get away with dial-up Internet access. The frustration due to slow speeds and the inability to view critical class video assignments make it worth subscribing to high speed Internet access.

Many schools have discount programs for computer purchases and internet access.

At the beginning of each class, carefully study the syllabus or course schedule and make sure you understand class policies, reading assignments, due dates, discussion or collaborative work requirements, and any other pertinent information. Map out your schedule for work, classes, family, exercise, sleep, and any other commitments you may have. Be realistic – don’t schedule yourself for 5 hours of sleep a night. You will either burn out or get sick. Accept that you will have to sacrifice some things in your life during the time you are in school.

Look for opportunities to squeeze in a few minutes of study time. Do you have an hour for lunch? Eat at your desk and spend 40 minutes reading. Getting the car repaired? Bring your books to the auto shop. Work better early in the morning? Get up 30-60 minutes early and knock out some school work. If you’re absolutely exhausted after working all day and getting the kids down at 9pm, don’t expect you’ll be productive from 9-11pm every night. Find another way to organize your study schedule.

I'm Ready: Achieving My Dreams Starts Here

Getting your degree will open many opportunities for you: a higher-paying job, enhanced career path, challenging work, and the ability to make a better life for you and your children. If you are ready to change your life and start working towards a brighter future, click here for a list of schools that can help you do just that.

Source: Online Degrees Make the Grade, George Lorezno,
http://www.wgu.edu/about_WGU/george_lorenzo.pdf