Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Choosing the Right Online School For You

By Michael Fleischner

There are many ways to complete your education or get a degree today that didnt exist just a few short years ago. Many traditional institutions offer online learning opportunities as well as truly online universities. The only difference is that online universities may not require any on campus work.

Going to school online requires that students are comfortable with doing assignments and learning online. Additionally, they need to be disciplined and do their work in a structured way. Unlike sitting in a classroom, online universities require students to log on to access work and assignments.

Selecting an online program is easy if you know how to search and what to look for. Start your search by doing an internet search for accredited universities. This means that the school's curriculum has been approved by an accrediting agency. This is important if you ever wish to transfer or have your credits count towards another degree.

The next step is to focus on the area you are seeking a degree in. If you want an online degree in nursing, then dont seek out schools with only one nursing program. There are a number of online schools that specialize in the discipline you are seeking. Find one that has a well established program.

Once you have narrowed your list of online programs that meet your criteria, begin to determine how long it will take you to complete the program. Also, what are the specific requirements you have to meet to graduate. Finally, determine the costs associated with the online degree you are seeking.

After your research is complete, its time to start the application process online. Completing school applications take some time so be sure to begin well in advance of any deadlines. Online schools are sometimes more flexible with admission dates but you should be well aware of class schedules. Making mistakes on your application could delay the process so be careful when completing your work.

Once you have completed your application, focus on what you will need to start your classes. Your class schedule will most likely be based on a semester and a specific time frame. You want to check to make sure that you have all the necessary materials and that you understand class requirements. Since there is not physical class to show up to, you will need to log on to complete assignments.

Make sure you have a good computer and reliable internet access. Online educators are not very tolerant of assignments that havent been completed because of difficulty accessing the internet. If you have a good computer and reliable internet access, you are ahead of the game and are likely to succeed. Attending school online is a great way to learn. Investigate online learning options and be sure to ask the right questions.

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