What Makes Online-Universities the Wave of the Future?

By Sheila Danzig

Getting a job that pays more than minimum wage is almost impossible without a high school education or G.E.D. Even with a high school diploma, however, finding employment that pays well enough to maintain a decent standard of living can be quite challenging. Furthermore, most professional and technical positions require applicants to possess a college degree or certificate for even entry-level positions. College tuition, however, has become so expensive that many students find themselves required to work part-time or full-time while attending classes. The development and popularization of online university degrees has made it possible for people to work while getting college degrees.

Online education is helpful to people for a variety of reasons. For example, mothers with small children often find that childcare is expensive. Finding a job that pays well enough to afford childcare for educational endeavors as well as during work hours is becoming increasingly difficult. Even parents who can afford this option, however, often feel that they have spent too much time away from their children while working. Leaving them with a sitter or family member to pursue educational dreams on campus at a traditional university is hard for both parent and child.

Individuals who take advantage of distance learning opportunities, however, find that they are able to work toward their academic goals while children are playing or after they have gone to bed. This allows them to achieve professional or career advancement without losing quality time with their children, spouses, or other family members. They are able to successfully meet the needs of family members while working to improve their financial situation.

In addition, people who take classes online are able to manage their schedules more effectively. Courses can be completed quickly or over more extended periods. This helps a person to more successfully juggle work demands with study time and test schedules. Rather than explain to a professor why they are unable to attend class the next week, they are able simply to put class work aside and return to it when they are best able to do so. This allows a person much greater control over his or her educational and personal lives.

This form of education can be extremely convenient for professionals who already have a degree and are working to further their education. For example, the majority of nursing professionals are able to get a nursing license after completing an associate’s degree. Many, however, decide to return to school and further their education and professional opportunities by obtaining a four-year degree. Numerous online Bachelor’s degree programs are available to help nursing professionals accomplish this objective. Through this method, nurses can work while meeting the needs of their family and pursuing career advancement opportunities.

Other professionals may have begun their careers after obtaining a bachelor’s degree and find themselves in need of further education to maintain certifications or licenses. Teachers, for example, can be licensed to teach in many states after they have received their four-year teaching degree. Many states and school systems, however, require teachers to complete a master’s degree within a certain time frame. Online graduate degree programs allow teaching professionals to meet these requirements without taking additional time away from their jobs or families.

Occasionally, some debate arises that online education is more costly than attending traditional colleges or universities. While the tuition cost may indeed be higher, those who hold this position often discount the amount of money that online students save in terms of mileage, daycare, and travel time. Frequently, the extra time gained, as well as the savings with regard to childcare expenses and car maintenance, is much more valuable than the additional tuition expense.

The fact that many employers are beginning to reimburse employees for online educational expenses further emphasizes the developing role of online education in career advancement. In addition, many college scholarship programs are beginning to allow students to use award monies to pursue distant learning opportunities as well. Finally, because it allows people to pursue their dreams in a much more convenient and timesaving manner, online education is indeed becoming the wave of the future!