Benefits Of An Online Degree

802 Words4 Pages
While traditional, on campus, degree programs provide the students with a full college atmosphere and experience and have certain undeniable advantages, online degree programs are increasing in number and popularity. According to the most recent count, “This year (2010-2011), over one million adults are taking degree or certificate programs delivered 100% online in the U.S.” (An online degree). This increase in online education can be attributed to its distinct advantages. Among other things, online programs allow people to earn credits at their own pace, schedule courses to maximize personal convenience or opportunity, and pay less by reducing course cost and eliminating certain other expenses. Essentially, online degree programs offer students additional flexibility and convenience; be it pace, class schedule, or financial. More specifically, online degree programs allow the flexibility to take one credit at a time. By contrast, traditional programs often establish a minimum, per semester or per academic year, credit requirement for full-time students and certain programs must be pursued on a full-time basis. At the University of Connecticut, the “full-time students may take between 12 and 16 credits” (Uconn.edu). This places a restriction on a student’s ability to work certain full or part time jobs or to care for family members. This challenge is more easily addressed, if not avoided, with online degree programs which allow students to earn as little as one credit at a time and to earn a degree at a pace that best fits an individual’s life style. With a busy work or parenting schedule, online classes can be the most convenient, or only way to earn a degree due to the time restrictions and class scheduling of traditional programs. While schools such as the University of Connecticut may offer classes that meet twice a week at specific times during
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