An Online Degree That Makes A Difference In Your Career...

Going back to school is a big investment -- not just of money, but also of time, effort and hope. That's why it pays to do your homework before you sign up for an online degree program, or any college program for that matter.

An online degree can offer great cost savings and flexible scheduling. That's why they've become so popular with adult learners, particularly in the current economic environment. This year, over one million adults are taking degree or certificate programs delivered 100% online in the U.S., according to Eduventures, and the University of Phoenix reports that it's average student is now 34 years of age. If you're a working adult who needs a realistic way to increase your salary, a distance learning degree is particularly attractive.

To connect the dots between an online degree program and the new career you want, the key steps are:

• Focus on a career path where there are job openings today.
• Figure out if you're the kind of person to succeed in an online degree program.
• Create a plan to pay for your online degree.
• Find a school that's right for you, and that you can afford:
  Good low-cost online bachelor's & associate degree programs
  Reasonably priced online MBA programs
  Low-cost RN to BSN Nursing Degrees

The Right School
Since I first took a business distance learning program 10 years ago, the number of online degree programs from private schools, for-profit schools and state universities has exploded. But online degree programs aren't all created the same. It's extremely important to get an information packet from a school, talk to the admissions counselors and do some outside research before making your choice.

Don't just go with a good-sounding name. Some of the best online schools have names you've never heard of, while some diploma mills use names that make them sound like old private schools or state universities. Always check the accreditation of any distance degree college or university you're considering. It's also important to check accreditation of a diploma or career certificate program before you sign a tuition check, as an unaccredited program may not qualify you to take the licensing test you need to pass for your chosen career.

Employers Warm To Online Degree Candidates
The good news is that employers take a more positive view of online degrees nowadays than they once did. Many companies, in fact, pay for their employees to get undergraduate, masters degrees or certificates through online study, because they want to save money and allow the student to keep working while he or she goes to school.

Starting Your Online Degree Search
The first question most students ask is "what exactly is online training?" Many assume they'll complete an online degree without spending a minute in a "brick and mortar" classroom, even on a 4-year program. While that's often true, there are also distance learning schools offering "blended" e-learning classes that combine teaching over the internet with live lectures. Even in some "pure online" courses today, you may find that at least one face-to-face meeting with the professor is a required to get credit.

Your Online Class Schedule Or The Professor's?
You need to know if you can take classes on your own schedule or if you must stick to the school's. The most popular approach is "asynchronous" learning, where you do not have to actually be online at the same time as your professor, and you can study and take tests on your own schedule (more on synchronous versus asynchronous classes here). Make sure to find out about any other requirements beyond attending your online class. At many online schools, you'll be expected to participate in online chat sessions, answer questions in forums or otherwise participate in group discussions over the internet.