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Lansing's Advice Column

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Dear IMO,

I would like to continue my education, but as someone has full-time employment, I am unable to go back to school. Should I consider an online degree program? Is this really a legitimate way to pursue my education?

Sincerely,

Phil

 

Dear Phil,

Online degrees are an excellent way to achieve your educational and career goals.  Most employers treat online degrees as equivalent to degrees obtained by attending classes in the traditional classroom setting.  You have the freedom to work on your degree from home, and save some money in the process.  However, there are two important matters to keep in mind before you decide:  choosing the right program and understanding the commitment that will be involved.

Before you enroll in an online program, you will have to do some initial homework in order to determine which program fits your needs and your budget.  You ought to start off by contacting your local career counseling center to find out what is available online.  John Bear's book, "Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance," is an excellent reference tool.  Another option will take you to the reference librarian at your local library to ask for any tools that will assist you in your search for the right degree program.  Before you give any institution your credit card, make sure they are an accredited one.  The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org ) will assist you in determining whether your choice offers a legitimate degree.  

Once you have found the online degree program, you will need to seriously consider the time commitment.  On average, you will be spending 20 hours per week online downloading lectures, reading supplemental texts, and joining chat rooms where you can enter discussions with other students.  Depending upon the degree, you will have to dedicate this amount of time for two, possibly three years.  It will require self-discipline and self-direction, not to mention a lot of caffeinated products since most of your study time will be in the late in the evening and into the night.  

There are some downsides to an online program.  You will miss out on those memorable lunch and learn lectures, late night barroom debates featuring Matt's Premium Ale (oops, I mean Saranac Pale Ale), and other impromptu learning experiences that happen on a college campus.  In the end, it is the degree that matters most, not where you took your exams.  

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