Is Attending an Online College Right for You?

If you’re thinking about returning to school, it’s important to consider if attending an online college or university is right for you. If so, there are several things to consider:

Perhaps you are thinking of returning to school, but you’re not sure the time is right. You have a lot on your plate, and you’re wondering how you can handle it all and attend college too.

Then there’s the current job market, you know that having a degree might give you the edge on landing a job and moving forward toward advancement and career growth, but how do you get started?

We know there are a lot of choices and when it comes to making the right decision for going to college, a student may be uncertain, especially if they do not know when it’s the right time and what type of school is right for them.

On the decision to return to school, you may wonder should you attend an online or an on-campus college. If you are on the fence about online or traditional education, continue reading on why online college may be a better choice for you.

How Does an Online College Work?

When a student enrolls in an online college or university, they complete the degree requirements, and receive their degree. The curriculum is generally the same as that of a traditional school as both must meet the same accreditation standards.

While students enrolled in an online college or university usually take the same number of years to finish as a traditional program, some programs such as those offered at California Coast University are flexible and allow students to complete work on their own schedules and complete degrees in a more accelerated fashion.

Generally, there are two ways online colleges and universities operate: asynchronous and synchronous. In synchronous learning, students attend virtual lectures on set days each week – like traditional schools offer only online. For asynchronous learning, such as the way California Coast University offers our educational programming, students study when they can and submit their assignments on their own schedule. While students still have guidelines for submitting work, there is much more flexibility in asynchronous learning. This can make all the difference for a busy person trying to keep some balance and sanity in their lives.

Whichever type of program you choose, students who are successful completing their degree online must do a couple of things - manage their study time and make school a priority. We often tell our students slow and steady wins the race. If you stay with it and regularly submit work, you’ll reach your goal.  

Do Employers Value Online Degrees?

Another question that future students may have is: Do employers value an online degree? There was a time when employers were less familiar with online degrees, but that was in the past. Online degrees have been around for a long time now – with many of the top “Ivy League Schools” offering online programs. Today, online degrees are seen as a very viable and valuable option when seeking higher education. Remember too, when it comes to earning a degree, accreditation is key. Accrediting agencies make sure colleges and universities meet specific educational standards and have systems to maintain those standards. The agencies measure colleges and universities through graduation rates, career outcomes, and courses offered.

You can ease your worries about earning your degree online by conducting research on accreditation. For this, you can find information in two places for accreditation of a college or university: the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. If these two places list the school you are interested in attending, that is a validation your intended school meets their quality standards. In addition, applicants should always check with their current employers to make sure a school they are interested in attending is accepted by their employer and will meet their employment needs.

Who is Best Suited for an Online College?

Finally, who is best suited for completing their degree online? Students choose to attend an online school for a variety of reasons - both professional and personal. It’s an important decision and you will need to decide for yourself if online or in-person is right for you and what your goals for higher education are.

Are you looking to enhance your current job, move or advance into a different job or career, or reach a long held personal goal? The reasons people return to school are as different as people are. The key is to find something that will work for you, that you will be successful at, and one that will give you a sense of accomplishment when you finish.

Are You Ready for Online College?

If you’re a graduate thinking of returning for another degree, a potential student interested in earning a degree, or one of our current students curious about the many programs we offer, we encourage you to visit our website for more information on what’s happening at California Coast University.

To learn more about our programs, contact California Coast University today!