Online School is Perfect For Those That Can't Commute to a College Campus

Going back to school can be an investment in the future, a way to make yourself more marketable, particularly in a tight job market. Internet-based classes and online degree programs make this endeavor convenient, accessible from virtually anywhere students happen to be and at times that don't interfere with responsibilities such as work and child-rearing.

An array of Internet schools have cropped up, and "colleges with walls" have, through the Internet, broken barriers to reach a wide array of men and women who otherwise might not be able to physically attend school. But while studies show that students enrolled in online classes performed as well or better than those in conventional classrooms, some research has suggested that the dropout rate among virtual learners tends to be slightly higher.

Students enrolled in online classes and online degree programs have to be "very self-motivated and very self-disciplined," Ladies' Home Journal Editor-in-Chief Sally Lee last year told Today Show co-host Ann Curry.

Nurses, particularly, have turned to distance learning to pursue bachelor of science degrees in their field. And many businessmen and women are said to opt for online colleges for obtaining masters degrees in business administration, Lee said. She advised against passive learning and noted that many "virtual" schools now offer online communities that allow for meeting diverse groups of people. Some virtual classes and online degree programs also offer two-way interactive video and audio-and the Institute for Higher Education Policy has recommended that the development of interactive programs like these continue.

The Institute in 1999 released a "What's the Difference?" study revealing that students who succeeded in computer-mediated education were often married, women and those with high literacy skills. Students who considered themselves persistent in taking on new projects and organized with regard to management skills had characteristics associated with online college success. So did individuals who work well independently, according to the study.

When taking classes on line or in person, it's important for students to select a college, university or trade school that suits their needs and goals and to compare costs, after tuition fees and any and all financial aid is taken into account. Individuals interested pursuing distance learning classes and online degree programs particularly should also:

Make sure the institution is accredited by one of the six regional boards and/or the Distance Education and Training Council. Accreditation means that the institution provides an education that meets minimum standards, and this makes a difference to many employers, transfer credit recipients and career endeavors such as taking the bar exam. Also, beware of "degree mills" -- virtual entities go so far as to offer degrees in as few as five days or based exclusively on life experience, according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, which provides a list of accredited colleges on its Web site.

Make sure online classes offer the level of support and interaction they need.

Set aside the time needed to take online classes, and take studies seriously. Successful online students surveyed for "What's the Difference?" said they had the time to do what they intended to do and considered the consequences of failure to be serious.

Students of schools online believe in themselves. "What's the Difference?" students experiencing success with an online degree rated their chances of succeeding higher than those who didn't complete their studies.