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According to the U.S. Department of Labor, bachelor's degree holders earn 68 percent more than those with only a high school diploma.
Those with a master's degree earn 90 percent more. Over your lifetime, this translates into significant income.
For the busy working professional, online learning lends itself well to attaining a degree without having to sacrifice one's current career. An online degree is a wise choice for ambitious working professionals, individuals who require continuous education credits, such as teachers or nurses, and IT professionals who need up-to-date certification.
The key to choosing the right online degree is to consider the following factors:
- available programs
- flexibility of the format
- accreditation
- reputation of the online school you want to attend
Pick your online program
Try to choose the online degree program that best complements your current and future career goals. You can find online degree programs in nursing, technology, accounting, education and more.
If you eventually want to pursue an advanced degree, choose an undergraduate program you can easily leverage into a graduate program. A master's degree in business administration (MBA) remains a popular choice for professionals who desire promotions into management.
Select schools such as University of Phoenix offer an impressive range of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs entirely online.
Online degrees offer flexible formats
The two main variants of online degrees are:
- asynchronous (self-paced degree programs)
- scheduled (disciplined, set degree schedule)
Find a Program That's Right for You
Get information on various online degree programs through these helpful guides: The Online Degreeand The Online MBA.
Asynchronous learning is a good choice if you need maximum flexibility during your day. Because the course content is always available online, you can study at your convenience, at any time during day or night. Additionally, you determine the overall length of time it takes to obtain your degree. Although each class at University of Phoenix has a specific start and stop date, you can begin a course of study in any month of the year. Each subject lasts five or six weeks, and you take courses one at a time to balance your personal and professional schedule demands.
Other schools offering asynchronous programs include Warren National University and Jones International University.
If you are up for a promotion next year and need a degree to qualify, choose a scheduled, fast-track degree program such as the ones offered by AIU Online. AIU's accelerated program allows you to earn a bachelor's degree quickly and conveniently, or a master's degree in 10 months.
Those looking for the ultimate in flexibility should consider schools such as the American College of Computer and Information Sciences (ACCIS). ACCIS allows students to control the pace for each class and the overall study period required to complete the degree.
Accreditation
Accreditation is also an important flag of quality, but it isn't everything. If you are looking to simply enhance your skills and expand your knowledge base, attending an accredited school is not necessary.
Accreditation can be important in some instances. If you require reimbursement from your employer, make sure the online schools you are considering qualify prior to registering. If you plan to pursue an advanced degree, think about attending an accredited school for your first degree, as some graduate courses require a student to have a primary degree from an accredited school.
University of Phoenix, for example, is accredited with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA).
Jump-Start Your Career
Visit TopCareerColleges degree programs page to browse dozens of accredited degree programs in business, technology, psychology, health care, human services, and more. Browse the degree programs offered by our partners:
Reputation and experience
Ideally, the institution you select should have both a solid reputation and industry experience in your chosen field.
University of Phoenix has a long-standing history of educating students for career advancement. The school's campus-based program was established in 1978 and their online program began in 1989.
The online MBA program Ellis College draws on the combined reputation and experience of Columbia Business School, Stanford University, the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, Carnegie Mellon, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Other schools, such as DeVry University, have solid reputations in preparing students for technical careers.
Reap the rewards
Online learning is an exciting new dimension in education. A degree sets you apart from your peers in measurable ways such as increased earning and promotion potential. If you have the will, this is the way for working professionals.
Researched and written by Katrina Boydon
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