Find an Online Degree Program Suited for You!
No matter where you are in your educational journey, you can get all or part of your degree or certification online. Most courses of study at traditional schools can also be found through distance learning degree programs or correspondence courses. From professional certifications to Ph.D’s, here are your online degree options:
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| "86 percent of those studying online are at the undergraduate level." Source: The Sloan Consortium |
Online Associate’s Degree
An associate’s degree traditionally takes about two years to complete. Many people who pursue an associate’s degree plan to put their credits towards a bachelor’s degree, and some associate’s programs are designed to make this easy. Workers with associate’s degrees earn about $8,000 more per year than those with high school diplomas alone.
It’s also generally less expensive. Many students spend two years earning an associate’s degree and then transfer to a bachelor’s program to save money. Here’s a breakdown of the types of associate’s degrees you can earn online:
- Associates of Arts (AA): Associates of Arts degrees generally apply to the
arts and humanities. Many jobs in this area require a bachelor’s, so AA degrees are most often applied towards a bachelor’s degree
at a later date. - Associates of Science (AS): Associates of Science degrees apply to subjects heavy in science and math. As with the AA, AS degrees are often transferred to a bachelor’s program.
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS): These degrees are designed for students who plan to go directly into the workforce without earning a Bachelor’s degree. Although some schools will accept AAS credits toward a Bachelor’s, it’s not usually the norm.
- Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS): This degree is generally in a technical or vocational field, and it’s not designed for students looking to transfer to a four-year program.
Online Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor’s degrees take about four years to earn on average, although some distance learning degrees can take as few as two years. Most professional positions require a bachelor’s degree.
Although the cost can be considerable, a bachelor’s degree usually pays for itself. According to current statistics, people with four-year degrees earn an average of $23,000 per year more than those with high school diplomas alone.
There are two types of bachelor’s degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
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| According to the Sloan Consortium, enrollment in online graduate programs grew 19.6% between 2002 and 2006. |
Online Master’s Degree
Master’s degrees by distance education can take one to three years to earn, depending on the course of study. In the U.S. and Canada, a Master’s degree is earned after a Bachelor’s degree, and is often a requirement for earning a doctorate. To teach in graduate and postgraduate education, a Master’s is often the minimum required degree. You can earn a Master’s in Arts (MA) or a Master’s in Science (MS).
Those with Master’s degrees typically out-earn workers with Bachelor’s degrees by over $10,000 per year.
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Science (MS)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Online Doctorate Degree
Depending on the subject, a doctorate usually takes a minimum of three years to earn, and can either be started after earning a Master's degree, or often times directly after a Bachelor's degree. With some of these programs, you can actually be awarded a Master's degree while working for your Doctorate.
There are many different types of doctorate degrees. Most, however, fall under one of two general categories:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D): This is a research-based qualification that can take five or more years to earn. Ph.D’s are often required for careers in higher education. While it is possible to earn your Ph.D through a distance education program, the higher education community has been much slower to accept online degrees than most. However, many other industries that require Ph.D’s are more accepting.
- Professional Doctorates (Psy.D., J.D., etc.): These are practical degrees that prepare learners for careers in their field. Unlike the Ph.D, they provide little graduate research training. Professional doctorates are given to pharmacists, veterinarians, lawyers, radiologists, podiatrists, chiropractors, psychologists, and many others.
Online Certification
Professional certification programs exist to ensure that workers possess the specific skills and knowledge to perform a certain job. Most certification programs are geared toward working learners, and there is wide acceptance of certification through distance education programs. Most of these programs do not require a certain degree to enroll. You can find online certification in hundreds of fields, from education to law to funeral directing.
The distance learning industry has advanced a great deal. With improvements in technology, millions of enrolled students, and growing acceptance among employers, online college degrees are quickly catching up to traditional programs.
And it’s no wonder - online college degrees are more flexible and less expensive overall than traditional degrees. They’re making higher education accessible to millions of non-traditional learners. With an online degree, you’re sure to be ready for the next big career opportunity.
- Undergraduate Certification
- Post-Bachelor's Certification
- Graduate Certification