Online College Degrees

Online college education represents the wave of the future! The jump in adults returning to school has gone from 28% in 1970 to 39% in 2006. Adults participating in educational ventures came to 92 million is 2001 (Statistics may be found at eLearners.com). The largest segment of online education participants is represented by those earning online college degrees. This article will present a summary of degree types, levels, and majors, as well as "10 Predictions for Online Education in 2007."

Four Levels of Online Education College Degrees:

Associate Degrees.

Bachelor's Degrees.

Master's Degrees.

Doctoral Degrees.

Types of Online Education College Degrees & Majors:

Arts & Humanities Degrees: Liberal Arts, Humanities, Design, Writing, Communications, English

Business & MBA Degrees: MBA, Management, Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, Accounting

Computers & I.T. Degrees: Information Technology, Web Design, Networks, Technology Management

Education & Teaching Degrees: K-12, Early Childhood, Administration, Special Education, Curriculum/Instruction

Health & Nursing Degrees: Nursing, Psychology, Counseling, Health Administration, Human Services

Science & Engineering Degrees: Engineering, Technology, Mathematics, Aviation

Social Science Degrees: Criminal Justice, Paralegal, Law, Psychology, Public Administration, Political Science

Some careers require only associate degrees (equivalent to the first two years of a college education). These include: physical therapist assistants, dental hygienists, forensic technicians, veterinary technologists and technicians, diagnostic medical sonographers, occupational therapist assistants, cardiovascular technologists and technicians, paralegals and legal assistants. As these jobs require only a two year degree, they are paid well and well respected.

10 Predictions About Online Education in 2007

1. Online education programs will continue to grow and expand. There will be more programs offered online to earn online education degrees and those already offered will expand into more areas of study.

2. Technology will advance. Technology is continually improving and replacing older technologies. Access to online education will speed up and more options will become available to students, such as access to online evaluations of their work, etc.

3. Costs will decrease. As more online education programs evolve, competition will increase, and costs to students will decrease.

4. New degree programs will develop. New degree programs, related to online education will develop. Such programs might include: online student counseling, online education site debate/discussion host, etc.

5. More students will enroll in online education programs. Each year the enrollment in programs continues to increase and will continue to do so. More than 1.6 million students took at least one online course in 2002. In 2003, 1.9 million students took online courses. In 2004, more than 2.3 million students enrolled. In 2005, the number of online learners increased to almost 3.2 million students. (Source: Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006, Sloan Consortium)

6. Specialized programs will begin to emerge. Students with learning disabilities will be able to take advantage of special online programs created just for them.

7. Attitudes toward higher education will begin to change. The general public will soon see degree programs as accessible to the average person, rather than just the highly intelligent.

8. The time to obtain a degree will shorten. It will take less time to obtain a degree as students will be able to work year-round, at any time of the day or night, transfer courses from other programs, and earn course credit by challenge exams. The minimum amount of time in which degree programs can be completed is two years, but the time it takes to complete a degree varies, depending on prior coursework and whether or not you take time off between courses. Many students complete a degree in two to three years, but it can take four or five years or more, depending on the pace. The more credits transferred, the faster the degree will be completed. You can earn credits from professional training, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or previous college courses. (Source: www.uopxworld.edu., "Frequently Asked Questions")

9. Most online colleges will begin to offer course credit for life experience. More credit will be given for life experiences, especially to older students.

10. New programs will begin that are hybrids. New programs will be developed that combine traditional on-campus education with online education or work/online study programs.

Getting an online education college degree is the wave of the future! Use the 10 predictions about online education in this article to begin your search for the online education college degree that is best for you.