Dispelling Common Myths About Online Degrees

Dispelling Common Myths About Online Degrees

Distance Education Online : Online learning myths are demystified below with straightforward answers about getting online degrees. Are online programs harder than campus programs? Are online programs more expensive? Do online colleges give you credit towards work experience?

Most online courses are accessible 24/7, so you can study anytime. You set your own schedule. Study from work, on the road or in your kitchen wearing your pajamas. Some schools may require students to spend a few days on campus each year, but most online degree programs have no residency requirement.

Common Myths About Online Degrees

1. Online programs are harder than on campus programs
Online programs are not more difficult than campus programs because they traditionally follow the same curriculum regardless of delivery format. In many ways, taking courses online can be easier because you set your study schedule. As a result, you will learn and process more information at a time you are ready to do so instead of sleeping through an 8 a.m. traditional campus class. Also, students who take courses online usually have the advantage of receiving instructors' lectures in written form.

2. Online programs are more expensive
The price of an online education varies widely. Students should expect to pay anywhere from a little less than $100 to more than $300 per credit, with average tuition for online programs offered by public universities generally falling in the $110-170 range. Additional registration or enrollment fees may also apply.

Advantages of taking classes online is that it eliminates the higher out-of-state tuition; you don’t have to pay high gas prices driving to and from a campus; and you won’t have to pay parking fees or worry about paying expensive parking tickets.

Read a comparison of tuition prices for top online schools.

3. Online schools don’t offer scholarships or financial aid
Students enrolled in online degree programs are often eligible for the same types of scholarships and financial aid as students enrolled in traditional programs. Read more about paying for an online college education.

4. Online colleges don’t give credit for work experience
Students seeking to receive credit for work experience generally have one or two options, depending on the school you plan to attend. Many schools allow students to complete proficiency exams in lieu of course work in areas in which they have work experience or knowledge gained though independent study. Programs that focus on this scenario include:

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Proficiency Examination Program (PEP)
Officially documented portfolio listing experiences for which college credit may be awarded
Working closely with your academic advisor