The Best Online Colleges for 2. Finding the Best Online Colleges for You. For years, distance learning stood on the fringes of formal education. Graduate Academic Calendar and Start Dates. UMUC offers a variety of start dates every semester, so you can learn at your own pace, on your own schedule. 460 thoughts on “ 10 things I wish I’d known about getting an MBA (before I took out my school loans) ”. Thinking about continuing school at the graduate level, but don’t know where to start? Find the answers at one of our no-cost MBA Open House. Working professionals enrolled mostly at for- profit institutions, or, when available, took correspondence classes from the few colleges that gave the option. Most students were over 3. The Home Study Inheritance,” Lambert, 2. The growth of broadband Internet and mobile technology quickly opened distance learning to a larger post- secondary student population. Colleges and universities of all types began to add online classes to their curriculum, followed soon by full- fledged degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The average distance learner became younger, more diverse, and motivated by a wider range of college and career goals. In Fall 2. 00. 2, an estimated 5. Ten years later, the number topped seven million (“Grade Change: Tracking Online Education in the United States – 2. Sloan- C, 2. 01. 3). With so many distance- learning options now available, finding the best online colleges can be a tough task. What makes an online college great? UMUC offers the ideal program to help you reach your goals. For details, explore UMUC's class schedules and catalogs for undergraduate and graduate students. An online Project Management master's degree is an investment in one’s own future and career. Discover the best Project Management degree programs. Federal Employees: Boost Your Career Potential with UMUC's FED Program Convenient, Flexible, and Affordable Degrees and Certificates. How do today’s online colleges differ and why? Which one is right for you? The following article addresses these questions, and looks at institutions of higher learning that continue to raise the bar when it comes to online education. Which Types of Colleges Offer Online Programs? Once a landscape dominated by for- profits, hundreds of community colleges, public universities, private non- profits and faith- based institutions have developed extensive online catalogs. Academic options range from introductory certificates and associate degrees to professional degrees and doctorates. Let’s take a look at how these types of institutions compare, and the primary benefits they bring to online learners. Community Colleges. Online learning benefits: Diversity and cost. These two- year schools offer a variety of academic options, with many students falling into one of three categories: (1) those who want to explore college education at its most basic level, (2) those looking for a cost- effective way to earn credits before transferring to a four- year school, and (3) those who wish to earn a career- focused certificate or degree. This diverse student body calls for a wider variety of class and learning mode options. In many cases, this means more online courses and degree programs available to students. And because it’s a community college, the cost remains relatively low in comparison to universities. Public Colleges and Universities. Online learning benefits: Program breadth, support, cost. The most popular post- secondary option in the U. S., public colleges have the largest student populations and usually the widest range of academic options. They also boast extensive human and technological resources to facilitate learning on multiple levels and in myriad learning modes. Therefore, many public universities have more online learning options — from introductory 1. Near- 2. 4/7 tech support and other resources also make it easier for online students to get help when needed. And while more expensive than their community college counterparts, the cost of an online course or degree program often runs less than those at private institutions.
Private, Non- Profit Institutions. Online learning benefits: Personal attention, specialization, academic rigor. Many private, non- profit institutions offer students a more personal academic experience, even when studying online. For some colleges, lesson plans revolve around a certain faith or focus, which allows students to interact with professors and peers with similar ideals or goals. For other colleges, academic rigor takes center stage. Universities such as Harvard and MIT have world- class online degree programs that rival their campus offerings. Private, For- Profit Colleges. Online learning benefits: Experience, support. Private for- profits have experience on their side. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students enroll in their programs seeking a certificate or degree. Many of these schools have time- tested support systems and processes designed to help first- time online learners acclimate to the virtual classroom. They can, however, be more expensive than other distance learning options. Before enrolling at a private, for- profit college or university, make sure the price point works for you, and that the institution has proper accreditation. Is an Online College or Degree Program Right for You? It seems like everyone is taking an online class nowadays, but should you? Read the following questions before enrolling in (or even considering) a distance- learning program. If you answer “yes” to at least six, online education may be a good move. Do you have access to a computer and Internet connection? Can you work independently with little direction? Are you comfortable with simple technologies, including email and word processing? Are you motivated to succeed? Do you have solid communication skills, especially in writing? Do you have a high school diploma or GED? Are you comfortable participating in online discussion? Can you work on a computer multiple hours per day? So What Are the Best Online Colleges? Simply put, the best online college depends on the student. Each learner has a unique set of wants and needs that dictates his or her ideal academic environment. A student looking for a cost- effective introduction to online learning may find a community college the best option. Conversely, one with eyes on world- class distance learning at the doctorate level may feel a top private university to be the best choice. The search tool below provides a way to easily filter through our comprehensive database of college and program options, taking into account tuition, location and various academic criteria. Students can also use the . Topics of study include business and management, education, engineering, health and family services, homeland security, law and public policy, liberal arts and communications, nursing and information sciences. There are also options many students might not find elsewhere, such as geospatial technology, sustainability studies and turfgrass science. Online courses at Penn State are asynchronous, so students can complete coursework whenever they wish before its due date. There are no set times that students need to log in. However, there are weekly assignments and discussions, as well as required group work and peer- to- peer interaction. Programs may include a short residency on campus lasting from a few days to two weeks. Examples of blended offerings are the master’s programs in business administration, finance, health administration and supply chain management. University of Massachusetts Amherst. ACO Score: 9. 8. 2. Student- Teacher Ratio: 1. City: Amherst. State: Massachusetts. The School of Continuing and Professional Education at UMass Amherst offers several undergraduate and graduate degree programs delivered entirely online. Undergraduates can choose bachelor. Graduate degree programs are offered in nursing, public health and health sciences, education, engineering, and management. Students who engage in any online learning through UMass Amherst use the Blackboard learning platform and receive the benefits of other University of Massachusetts students, such as student services, technical support, and access to vast library holdings. A student validity process helps ensure honesty and integrity among all online students. Keep in mind that those who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, and Kansas cannot currently be accepted for online enrollment at UMass Amherst. Indiana Wesleyan University. ACO Score: 9. 8. 0. Student- Teacher Ratio: 1. City: Marion. State: Indiana. Indiana Wesleyan University, an evangelical Christian University, provides a range of online degree and certificate programs designed for working adults. Online courses and flexible study options leverage cloud- based resources such as the Learning. Studio learning management system, Course. Smart e- reader and Voice. Thread application for electronic communications. Online degree seekers can build on college courses taken elsewhere, complementing that experience with at least 3. IWU. The university allows students to focus on a concentration of their choice in the web- based associate and bachelor’s degree programs in general studies. Online associate degrees are also available in majors like accounting, business, computer information technology, criminal justice and Christian ministries. Distance learners can choose from several programs at the bachelor’s degree level, with more subjects available at the master. Most of Liberty University Online’s coursework is available online through eight- week or 1. Distance learners have the opportunity to attend one- week intensive on- campus classes and also have access to online resources such as a writing center, tutoring and ministries. Liberty University’s online programs run the gamut of subjects, including associate degrees in paralegal studies, criminal justice, religion and Christian counseling. Choices range from an online bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance management to master’s degrees in sports marketing and media, information systems or project management. Degrees in the field of education are found at several levels. Web- based doctoral degree programs explore disciplines such as business administration, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, and theology/ministry. ACO Score: 9. 7. 1. Student- Teacher Ratio: 1. City: Bloomington. State: Indiana. Indiana University has a variety of online choices. For example, Indiana University High School allows students to earn their secondary school diploma online, from across the country and abroad. IU offers more than 1. Two online associate degrees are available, in disciplines such as labor studies. Other fields of study include education, humanities, business, health sciences, technology, public administration, library science and social work. UMUC follows me, wherever I am in the world. Gregory Clements, veteran.
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