Why Online Degrees are Becoming Mainstream
Online degree enrollment grew to 2.35 million in 2003, up from 1.98 million a year before that. Eduventures, a firm that analyses education trends, predicts that by 2008, 1 out of every 10 students will enroll in an online degree program. Here are some reasons why online education is taking off.
Online Degree Programs Are More Profitable to Schools
Although setting up an online course is generally more expensive than creating one on-campus due to internet infrastructure costs, it can be offered to more students because there are no space restrictions. Online courses thus incur lower overhead costs and increase school profit margins.Full-time Workers Need Online Degrees for Promotion
Now that online degrees are a reality, people who need MBAs or a variety of other skills in order to move up the corporate ladder can earn them without leaving their jobs. Many employers also reimburse employees that take online courses that help them improve their career skills.Congress Eases Financial Aid Requirements for Online Colleges
Recently, a college had to offer at least half of their courses face-to-face in order to be eligible for government student aid. That requirement was dropped last March, making online colleges even more attractive to potential students.Online Degree Programs Open New Markets
Prior to online degree programs, there was an entire demographic of people who, because of job or family responsibilities, could never find the time to earn a college degree. Online degree programs make a college education more accessible to people because it offers more academic flexibility. Some people, for example farmers, who could never think of leaving their family farms for four years to earn a degree, can now learn about cutting edge agricultural advancements while enrolled in online degree programs from the comforts of their own homes.If you want to tap into the growing online education market, simply start surfing the web for programs that meet your needs. Or check out some of the schools and programs available on this site.
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About the Author
Kirk Bangstad is a singer living in Chicago, IL. Having received his B.A. in Government at Harvard, Kirk previously worked as a management consultant.
