Take a closer look at the students around you, those pursuing a higher degree in particular, and you’ll notice one change. More people in LA are turning to online courses and degrees instead of moving closer to a university in order to become a full time student. There are a number of reasons behind this shift too.
Online degrees are now more reliable – and valuable – than ever. Universities are making their distance learning programs available to more people and offering accredited degrees in various fields. So, how can you get started with pursuing a degree of your choice online? Here are some of the things you need to do.
Understand How Online Courses Work
Online programs are becoming very popular these days. Even those fresh out of high school are opting to take an online bachelor’s degree. The extra flexibility offered by online courses is one of the most prominent reasons why they are so popular. You can study in your own time and even maintain a full time job (or run your own business) while pursuing the degree.
The extra flexibility, however, doesn’t mean online courses are less challenging. These courses follow the same high standards maintained by the top universities backing them. You still have to meet certain requirements to enroll and you will have to keep up with the course in order to get the degree of your dreams in a timely manner.
Find a Program That Suits You
As I mentioned before, there are more online degrees to pursue these days. If you’re a nursing professional, for instance, you can now pursue an online RN to BSN degree from top names such as Arizona State University. Yes, you can continue to work as a nurse here in LA and get a degree from ASU.
There is even an online accelerated nursing program you can take. The accelerated program allows you to get a bachelor of science in nursing in as little as 15 to 18 months. Since a BSN degree can boost your career to a whole new level, it is a worthy investment to make.
Other fields are just as widely available. You can pursue a degree in statistics, counseling, math, engineering, marketing and various other majors just as easily. You just have to find the right program to join.
Get Ready for the Course
Researching for this post and talking to those who have taken – and completed – an online course made me want to pursue a new degree online myself. As it turns out, there are a few extra preparations to make before you can be an effective online student.
Discipline is at the top of that list. You don’t have classes to attend and must schedule your own study times, so discipline is absolutely necessary. A good rule to follow is to allocate at least an hour every day for studying.
You may also want to get used to the online learning platform and routines. For example, course assignments and materials can be accessed through the university’s online learning portal. Lecturers are reachable via the same portal or through dedicated email addresses.
Despite everything, online degrees offer the chance for many people to get the degree of their dreams without becoming a full time student; opportunities that many didn’t have before online programs are readily available today. Tempted to go back to school online? Or are you already on your way to acquiring a bachelor’s or master’s degree through an online course? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
