| You may debate whether graduating from college | | | | Certification programs are not the same as a college |
| actually makes you smarter, but there is no doubt that | | | | degree, but they can often count toward an associate |
| a college degree can make you richer. According to | | | | degree. Certificate programs can be as short as one |
| statistics from the Department of Labor, the lifelong | | | | course, while others require several courses and |
| earnings of a person with a bachelor's degree are | | | | hands-on training. |
| $620,000 more than someone with an associate | | | | Associate Degrees. Associate degrees are typically |
| degree; $810,000 more than those of a high school | | | | awarded within the first year or so of enrolling in a |
| graduate, and $1.1 million more than a high school | | | | bachelor degree program. Your associate degree may |
| dropout. | | | | be in an area such as 'interdisciplinary studies,' which |
| Simply put, a college degree makes you more | | | | means you have completed coursework in English, |
| competitive in the job market. In fact, many employers, | | | | Math, Science and other subjects required for your |
| including the U.S. government, require college degrees | | | | bachelor's degree. |
| for certain positions. You may deserve a promotion | | | | On the other hand, some online colleges offer |
| based on job skills and experience, but will not be | | | | associate degrees in medical billing and coding, |
| considered for advancement due to a lack of formal | | | | paralegal studies, architectural drafting, computer |
| education. | | | | animation, digital photography fields, etc. |
| As our technological society continues to create a | | | | When you consider that high school graduates earn an |
| demand for individuals with specific skill sets, the | | | | average of $24,000 annually, and a Medical Coder |
| earning power of college graduates is expected to | | | | averages $35,000 a year, the value of an associate |
| keep growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor | | | | degree (that you can earn in eight short months) |
| Statistics, jobs for college graduates will increase by | | | | becomes very clear! Likewise an associate degree in |
| 25% between now and 2014. On the other hand, jobs | | | | computer networking can open the door for a '$40,000 |
| for high school graduates will grow by only 11%. | | | | a year' career. |
| However, many find the cost of tuitions, fees, and living | | | | Bachelor Degrees. Online schools offer bachelor's |
| on campus for four years is beyond their financial | | | | degrees in every field you can imagine. Even for those |
| grasp. Others deal with the day-to-day responsibilities | | | | in a discipline, such as nursing or teaching, which |
| of children and full-time jobs that simply do not afford | | | | requires a period of apprenticeship, you can complete |
| them the time to work towards earning their college | | | | your coursework online and schedule your hospital or |
| degree. | | | | student teaching through your online college. |
| Online universities and colleges are quickly coming to | | | | Many people complete online bachelor's degrees within |
| the rescue of people who strive to earn a college | | | | a year or two, especially if they already have some |
| degree, but need a flexible schedule and reasonable | | | | transferable college credits |
| costs. Over a million people are now enrolled in online | | | | Master Degree Programs. The most popular program |
| colleges. Students are now able to take classes | | | | offered online is the Master of Business Administration |
| completely online at any hour of the day or night. You | | | | (MBA). Today's online universities offer many MBA |
| can even opt for a combination of online and | | | | majors including Healthcare, Non-Profit Organizations or |
| on-campus. Students chat with other students, work | | | | Hotel Administration as well as traditional courses: |
| together on projects and confer with professors -- | | | | Accounting, Finance and Management. Another popular |
| completely online. Convenience is virtually at your | | | | major is education. Teachers improve their credentials |
| fingertips! | | | | and receive higher salaries by earning master's |
| Another positive is the flexible admissions policies. Don't | | | | degrees in Early Childhood, Curriculum Specialist, |
| be surprised if your work or military experience counts | | | | Secondary Education, etc. |
| towards college credits. In addition, while most | | | | Online universities emphasize degrees in practical fields, |
| traditional colleges require that you enroll after a | | | | such as technology, journalism, business and education |
| semester break, the typical online university allows you | | | | that improve your job credentials. However, a few |
| to start classes any time you want. | | | | online schools have associate, bachelor and master's |
| The flexibility offered by online schools means that | | | | degrees in liberal arts subjects, including philosophy, |
| students often complete their coursework more | | | | history, literature and art. |
| quickly than if they were in traditional colleges. For | | | | Doctoral Programs. Most online universities do not |
| example, many students earn bachelor's degrees | | | | offer doctoral programs, but a few have made PhD |
| within two years or less. | | | | programs available. These programs are primarily in |
| And keep in mind that the majority of online schools | | | | education and business. Programs can last as long as |
| offer a variety of programs including certifications, | | | | three years and require some residency time on |
| associate degrees, bachelors and even masters and | | | | campus. |
| doctoral programs. | | | | If you carry a full load at an online college and qualify |
| Certificate programs. Many certificate programs supply | | | | as a full-time student, you can apply for traditional |
| training for jobs in call centers or repair shops for cars, | | | | financial aid as long as your online college is a Title IV |
| televisions, etc. Even if your certification cannot | | | | participant. |
| guarantee a job in a particular field, it can help you | | | | Military services and employers often help pay for |
| decide whether or not you enjoy that type of work | | | | online degrees. The cost of online degree programs is |
| and are suited for it. | | | | almost always less than half of what you pay for a |
| Some employers will pay for certifications in order to | | | | campus program. The next step. . . .choosing the right |
| have an employee's skills improved in just one small | | | | school for you! |
| area, such as Six Sigma training for business. | | | | |