All About Online Schools
If you’re thinking about going to school online to obtain your associate’s degree, you probably have some questions. Don’t worry because we’ve got the answers! If you’re new to the online learning arena, then we’ll start with the basics.
First of all, going to school online means that you’re using the Internet to do everything from attend class, chat with your professors, get homework assignments, take tests, and participate in class discussions.
It’s truly amazing just how much you can interact with your fellow classmates thanks to today’s technology, and many people find that they interact more as an online student than they ever did sitting in class. Why? Because going to class online is much less intimidating than sitting at a desk with 30 or 50 other people. When you’re part of an online career education program, you’re more anonymous. This makes asking questions and participating in class discussions easier, especially if you’re a bit shy.
Going to school online can be more efficient than physically going to class because you create your own schedule. As long as you get your work done, it doesn’t matter if you listen or watch your lectures at 11:00 in the morning, or 11:00 at night. You can also listen to lectures if you need to hear it again, which you can’t do in a traditional class. This enables students to really digest the information and catch up when they need to.
Another aspect to online career education is the fact that you can often finish school in less time. Most online schools offer fast-track learning programs, which means you can have your associate degree in 1 ½ years instead of two, and your bachelor’s degree in three years instead of four. For many people, this is a huge perk.
So, how much is all of this going to cost? Online career education costs vary. In some schools, the costs of going online are actually more than attending a campus class. For most schools, however, the price of tuition is the same, if not less, than campus classes. One major difference, however, is that out-of-state tuition becomes moot when you go online. If you live in Texas but want to go to school in Oklahoma, then you’re not going to have to pay more if you go online. This amounts to a huge savings for students, and opens up thousands of schools that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
So, are online schools worth it? Most people will give you a wholehearted “yes” to this question. With competitive tuition also comes savings in gas as well as time, so the perks definitely start to add up when you sit back and think about it.
Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs
Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.
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With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » |
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The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » |
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With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » |
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One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » |
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The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » |
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Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » |
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DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » |
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Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » |
