How to Find Online Degree Programs
Searching for online degree programs can be a hectic time during the college application process. Many colleges and universities are starting to adopt online degree programs, but it is more common to find online classes that still require some campus attendance for other classes. This can hamper a student's ability to acquire a college degree if life circumstances make attending college the traditional way difficult.
There are some colleges and universities that offer degree programs that are not in high demand in the career world, which makes the online degree program undesirable. However, there are colleges and universities that offer online degree programs that are beneficial to students.
Begin your search by writing down a list of colleges and universities you want to attend. Then get online and look up the websites for those colleges and universities. Most sites have a link that says distance learning or online degree programs. Research those to find out if your desired major is offered as a complete program or a partial program. It is a good idea to check out what complete online degree programs they do offer, even if they were not your planned major, to see if there is anything that interests you.
If you cannot find anything at your desired colleges and universities, use an online degree program search engine. Most online degree directories give you a list of college and universities that offer any form of distance learning. Then you can narrow that down to your specifications and try to find a program that fits your needs. The great thing about the directories is that they do all the work for you. Most of them will list whether the school offers a complete online degree program, partial online degree program, or random classes for a variety of degrees.
Check out your local library for distance education books. Certain author's specialize in distance learning and online degrees and publish an updated directory every year. These books are great because you can sit down with them and really review what the school offers. These books may also have more information than websites such as approximate cost of tuition and books. They are also usually easier to navigate than a website that offers hundreds of links that all seem to bring you to an information request form.
Lastly, use the traditional method of research and start calling admissions offices of nearby colleges and universities. Some schools are still in the process of developing online learning courses and will not have listings on their website. By calling, you can find out if any online degree programs are currently being developed. Make sure you find out when the school plans to offer the program so you can plan accordingly.
For example, if you want an online degree in psychology but the school will not offer it for another two year, start taking your basic education class online. Even if you have to enroll under another major, most basic education courses are the same. You can then switch majors and transfer the credits. Online degree programs are out there, it just takes a little research to find them.
