Many working and nontraditional students simply do not have the time or the logistical ability to attend campus-based schools. Fortunately for such students, a number of quality schools offer online courses that offer many advantages over campus-based classes.

Types

Online schools typically offer asynchronous (archived) or synchronous (live) classes, both of which offer certain advantages. While asynchronous lectures provide students with a maximal amount of scheduling flexibility, synchronous classes provide a high level of interactivity.

Benefits

Online courses provide students with the opportunity to pursue academic degrees while maintaining active careers. This flexibility allows distance learners to avoid the debt burdens on-campus students often accumulate.

Geography

Online students learn via the Internet wherever it is most convenient for them, as most online programs do not have travel requirements. This saves distance learners money on travel costs.

Accreditation

An online degree program accredited by the professional accrediting organization in its respective field undergoes the same, strict peer-review as a competing on-campus program, making accredited online degrees just as valuable as those earned on campus.

Misconceptions

According to the U.S. Department of Education, online students demonstrate better learning outcomes than on-campus students, which runs counter to the notion that online learning is not effective.

Source:

ABET: Accreditation

U.S. Department of Education Technology and Distance Learning

U.S. Department of Education: Accreditation Information