How Do Online Degree Programs Work?

By Bailey Smith

A lot of schools at every end of the academic and professional spectrum are starting to recognize the limitations of traditional, in classroom/ on campus education and are turning to alternatives to offer more educational opportunities for a wider variety of students. But have you ever wondered how exactly the transition from a classroom based course to an online based degree program takes place? Or perhaps you have been considering enrolling in an online course but you are unsure how the formatting would work or if it would be right for you? Then read on to familiarize yourself with the ways that universities are creating virtual classrooms to meet the needs of the students enrolled in online degree programs.

First it is important to point out that, depending on the particular university and the specific program of study, a lot of instructors are opting to use traditional text books, usually the same ones that the on campus students are using. So that is simple enough, not much of a transition required there. However, other professors are preferring to put all of the material online and depending on the program this often works a lot better. Having your texts and supplemental material online means that you can access it from anywhere at any time without having to worry about lugging a bunch of text books with you everywhere you go; so if you want to catch up on some reading at work during your lunch break, no problem. And since you do not have to worry about the costs of buying text books, which can often get quite pricey, online materials make your educational goals a lot more affordable. Online formats also allow instructors to make their content a lot more dynamic than is possible with traditional texts. By adding demonstration videos, links, animations, and audio as well as video lectures students can have a richer educational experience than many in a traditional setting.

One concern that students who are contemplating an online degree program often have is the issue of classroom interaction, both with the professor and with other students. Most program directors and instructors are aware of the importance of contact and support during your course of study; therefore they have implemented a variety of ways to help you interact and get feedback on your progress. Through a combination of chat rooms, message boards, email, and online exercises students are able to communicate and discuss course material and receive immediate feedback on their understanding and application of that material. Some universities, like Mountain State University, utilize virtual classroom software, such as Blackboard, to enable students to communicate, give presentations, access online exams, and keep track of their progress and grades all from one convenient location. Additionally, other universities such as the University of Cincinnati, will divide students into small peer groups assigned to a professional facilitator to make this interaction more constructive.

And lastly, what about hands on experience? There are a few programs where hands on, real world application is an essential part of the educational process but expert educators have developed projects to compensate for this where students work under the guidance of a professional in their own community to gain the experience they need. The University of Florida's doctorates program in Pharmacy is a good example of this method.

The concept of an online program is rather simple; however, most schools will make sure that you have adequate support so that you have someone to turn to whenever you are in doubt or have questions. So set back and enjoy the convenience of online education.

Bailey Smith writes about pharm d programs. Visit http://pharmd.distancelearning.ufl.edu to more about pharm d programs

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Do Online Degree Programs Lead to "Real" Degrees?

By Bailey Smith

Most of us are used to the traditional concept of education. You search for the right program, or at least the closest program that offers something close to what you need. You stand in line for hours waiting to register, fight for parking places to rush to class, and stay up all night trying to cram for the next big exam. Now that you are "all grown up" the idea of going back to school and trying to juggle all of your responsibilities of a family and some how managing to keep your job so that you do not starve to death while you pursue the means to that next big promotion, is well...a bit overwhelming. And it seems that every where you go online you are seeing another ad about some new online degree program which, given the importance of continuing education in the job market today, sounds rather tempting. However, what can you expect from an online program? Are they legitimate degrees from accredited universities?

The simple answer to those questions is...yes, you can obtain a legitimate degree from a regionally accredited university right from the comfort and convenience of your own home. Understanding the high demand for continuing education, professional development, and advanced degrees in the ever changing and increasingly complexed job market today and given the challenges for many working adults that would prevent them from obtaining further traditional education, many universities and academic institutions have started offering programs online. Distance education providers includes colleges, universities, and other schools from all over the country including some top ranked universities like The University of Florida, The University of Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky University, Mountain State University, and the University of Saint Mary just to name but a handful.

The types of degrees that you can earn online vary from professional certifications that can be obtained over a short period of time to more traditional bachelor's degrees. Online degree seeking students are not limited to only undergraduate work either, many universities offer graduate certificates, Master's degrees and even doctorates all online. Once such example is The University of Florida's Doctor of Pharmacy online degree program which has been "ranked as one of the top 10 in the nation by US News and World Report".

The different fields in which online degrees are being offered also leaves students with a lot of options. With online programs being offered in field such as Education, Criminal Justice, Management, Health Care, and Fire and Safety just to list a few, you have almost as many educational options online as you have had with traditional, on campus education in the past. The cost of online degree programs are fairly comparable to that of more traditional degree offerings. Most universities have kept the tuition costs for the online programs of study at around the same amount that on campus students are paying. And since a lot of the course material is all online or maybe included in the cost of tuition, you may actually end up paying less in the long run for your degree.

So if you have been debating on furthering your education but were worried about finding a "real" degree program, do not worry- there are plenty out there to choose from.

Bailey Smith writes about masters in educational leadership. Visit http://mastersed.uc.edu to more about masters in educational leadership

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