Take A Look At Distance Learning
Earning your college degree can be as easy as the click of a mouse. If the nearest college to you is more than a half an hour drive or your work schedule makes attending a traditional college difficult, attending school as a distance learner may be the answer. There are three important considerations for you as a distance learner: institution accreditation, financing and time.
The first consideration should be whether a college or university is accredited. Accreditation means that an institution has met educational guidelines set forth by an association of participating colleges in a region. Accreditation ensures that participating institutions meet educational quality goals either in programming or specialization. Member institutions pay to belong to the associations and agree to be audited by a group of peers that verify an institution has met certain guidelines set forth by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Attending an institution that is not accredited may make it difficult to obtaining an entry-level job in your field or it may keep you from testing for a state job. Check with an employer or your state and governmental job qualifications to be sure.
A second consideration is financing your degree. A definite bonus to attending college at a distance or online is that tuition for you may be less than a traditional student. Students may be eligible for the Pell grant program, state grant programs as well as Federal Student Loan programs. Students can assess their financial aid status by filling out the FAFSA application form online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. A student should apply for financial aid as soon as possible, even before they apply to a college that they are interested in. Many times your financial aid package will allow you to decide if you can afford that particular college before you pay any application fees. Other financing options include employer reimbursement, bank loans, grants and scholarships.
The third important consideration is time. Not everyone is good at organizing their time despite their best intentions. Distance learning requires dedication and organization. If you are the type of person that does not work well independently or you are not a self-starter, distance learning may not be a good fit for you. A typical full time schedule consists of three to four classes at four credit hours each. Plan to spend at least eight hours per week on each course. In addition, many distance-learning courses require your participation in discussion groups during the week. This means that you cannot wait until the weekend to do your coursework or you may lose as much as 20 percent of your final grade.
If you have determined that you have the time, financing and the right college for your career path, distance learning can be a great experience. It will allow you to earn a degree without spending hours driving or maybe without ever setting foot in a classroom. You will be able to interact with students and professors via the Internet or on the phone. The best part for some is the chance to participate in classroom discussions without fear of intimidation or embarrassment. At the completion of your degree program you may have the opportunity to attend a traditional graduation ceremony. This is a chance for you to enjoy your accomplishment and receive your diploma in front of family and friends.
Distance learning is not an easy way of learning, but it gives people with busy lives an opportunity to earn a degree in a non-traditional way. If you want to increase your salary and beef up your resume, distance learning may a great way for you to accomplish your career goals.
