Article: Taking An Online Degree

A college degree has become an indispensable qualification for a rapidly increasing number of professionals in fields that are demanding and competitive leaving little time for upgrading one's education. In fact, in most fields, the absence of a degree can stunt an otherwise promising career. In recent years, colleges and schools throughout the world have expanded their services in an effort to attract the growing new source of students in the millions of people who are already in the middle of their careers and have very little time on their hands. With families to raise and jobs to go to, many of these students didn't have the time to spend in a classroom environment. The solution turned out to be nontraditional degrees that were obtainable outside the classroom, i.e., by examinations, correspondence courses and online programs.

Another problem with this new source of students was that the student often knew more than the instructor having already established themselves in their respective fields. In these cases, self-motivation was a common occurrence. Already familiar with the subject matter of the course, the experienced adult lost interest quickly and found it hard to get motivated. To solve this problem, many schools recognized that earning credits should not depend on time spent in the classroom, but on the knowledge demonstrated in an exam. Pre-examination testing was capable of determining the prospective student's level of knowledge and expertise. This allowed the school to place the adult learner in a class that would challenge his or her learning ability.

Distance or online learning is not for everyone. Many of us require a structured environment in order to engage in college level learning. This is mostly because we were brought up in that environment and know of no other way to do it. If you are thinking about taking a course online, there are some questions you should ask yourself before making any decisions.

Are you capable of independent learning? Do you require a scheduled structure of learning that's regulated by an instructor or an institution? Does your ability to learn depend on the close supervision or reinforcement of an instructor? Do you think your ability to learn depends on regular discussions with classmates? Have you been able to reach certain goals without any guidance or are you more comfortable accomplishing goals with the right amount of instruction?

If you have any doubts in your ability to learn in a nontraditional learning environment, you should seriously reconsider the decision to pursue an online degree. If you are convinced of your own autonomous nature, are highly motivated and have a clear sense of your educational goals, then the chances are that an online degree would be the perfect solution for you.

Click here for more information on schools that offer online degrees.