The Pros and Cons of an Online Degree

With information technology pervading every industry, including education, online education has seen a tremendous rise in the last decade and is becoming more popular by the day. It’s a boon for people who want to go back to college to enhance their skills but do not have the time for it, owing to hectic schedules or family responsibilities. It’s also a great advantage to those who want to work and study at the same time. Employers are also more readily accepting candidates with online degrees. What’s critical is finding a good, accredited college that’s worth every penny you put in to it. But with all the benefits an online degree has to offer, it has its share of disadvantages as well. Let’s take a peek into the pros and cons of an online degree.

Pros of an Online Degree

• The biggest and most obvious advantage is that online schools benefit those who cannot make it to a conventional classroom. Whether it’s a student who wants to earn and learn simultaneously or an employee who wants to further his education but travels a lot, an online class can come to their rescue.

• It works well for students who are introverts and do not mix well with others. Such people are hesitant to voice their opinions and doubts in a classroom in front of others. Online education can help these people, as a virtual classroom will allow them to freely share their concerns sitting in the safety of their own space, without feeling intimidated by a group of people.

• When you pursue an online degree, you are likely come in contact with lots of people from various backgrounds, cultures, and nations, which might not be possible if you attend a classroom with a limited number of students. Connecting with a diverse set of students from different geographies will result in a richer learning experience. Cons of an Online Degree

• The biggest disadvantage, as seen by many, is not having an instructor physically available to answer your queries. In many online colleges, the only way to interact with instructors is through emails and forums. Hence, it can be a long wait before any of your doubts are cleared. The first thing you should check out before enrolling in an online school is whether you have free access to your professors and other advisers.

• Secondly, if you have not checked out the credentials of the college, there’s always the possibility that the college is not accredited, and is therefore doling out fraudulent degrees. This can be a real shocker to many students who are not aware that such institutes exist. This emphasizes the fact that it’s crucial to thoroughly check out everything about college before you apply to it.

After having gone through the pros and cons of online degrees, you know that the first thing you must look for in a college is its accreditation. For instance, Independence University, offering online programs in business and healthcare, is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All its programs are career-centric and prepare students to achieve success in their chosen career path. So when you choose an online college, keep all the pros and cons in mind and you’re more likely to end up able to pursue a good paying job, which is well worth the investment of your time and money!