Where to Start with Online College Degree Programs?

What are the different types of online college degrees?
The same degrees offered through traditional institutions are also offered through online college degree programs. Students in online programs have earned:
Certificates
Associate Degrees
Bachelor Degrees
Masters Degrees
Doctorates
This, however, does not necessarily mean that all disciplines are offered. There are still many subjects, such as medical training, and student-teacher training, that require a traditional institutional environment because of the nature of the work.
Due to the fact that many career paths require hands-on training, some online college degree programs can get around this hurtle by offering blended programs. These are online college degree programs that ask students to do a combination of work both online and in person.
If you are wondering whether an online degree program is the right option for pursuing your degree of interest, check out the program offerings on Guide To Online Schools.
Where to Start with Online College Degree Programs?
Like any journey, there are many different paths that will take students to their intended destination. The following steps are some general guidelines that should help aspiring students get a good start on their journey towards an online college degree.
Step 1: Figure out what online college degree you want to earn
Any type of higher level learning program requires a substantial commitment of money and time. To ensure that you maximize the value of your investments, it is essential to plan ahead, and select an area of study that is most pertinent to your interests and lifestyle.
Step 2: Find ACCREDITED schools offering your programs of interest
There are so many online college degree programs, offering so many different courses, that the first thing you can do to save yourself time is to look only at the schools that offer the programs you are interested in. To aid in the task of finding the most relevant schools for your future education, Guide To Online Schools has sorted each institution according to the programs that it offers. Once you do find an online degree program of interest, it is very important to find out if the institution is accredited. Accreditation guarantees that an online college degree program is offering a quality education that will be honored and respected by employers.
Step 3: Contact schools for information on eligibility
Having your heart set on a school does not necessarily guarantee you a spot on their roster. Many online college degree programs have requirements that must be met before they will accept a student. You can contact schools of interest by searching schools on Guide To Online Schools , clicking on a school’s icon, and sending a contact inquiry. Schools will send you a packet with all the information you need to sign up for particular programs.
Step 4: Compare the tuition costs for each program of interest
There are many online college degree programs offering degrees which look and sound very similar in length and nature. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they cost the same. Before making a decision about a school, shop around; it could save thousands of dollars in tuition bills.
What are the Requirements for Online College Degree Programs?
Online college degree programs, like traditional schools, often have specific requirements for entry into a degree program. Many of the requirements for online schools are related to a potential students’ educational background. Though many of the requirements for online college degree programs are similar to traditional schools, there are also some provisions that are unique to online education.
Student applicants must have the correct educational background for the degree that they are interested in pursuing. For example if you are interested in an upper level degree, like an Online Masters Program you must have already completed your bachelors. However, if you want to pursue a lower level degree, such as a certificate or associates degree, a high school diploma or GED is sufficient.
School specific requirements also apply. Each school has its own set of criteria for entry into an online degree program thus, if you are interested in a certain degree, it is important to request more program information from that specific school.
An up-to-date computer is important for the online learning experience because much of your school work will require a computer.
Internet Access is the primary method of connecting to online course material and other online students; therefore, it is a necessity for an online college degree program.