| Obtaining an online degree, such as an associate's, can | | | | after obtaining an associate's degree might also |
| be less costly than degrees that require more time and | | | | continue studies toward a bachelor degree online. |
| credits, and they might help provide entry into some of | | | | Online college programs at all levels can allow students |
| what U.S. News & World Report recently called hot | | | | to more easily participate in studies without taking time |
| careers of the coming decade. Reports suggest that | | | | away work and family responsibilities. Online college |
| several of these careers offer attractive salaries as | | | | advantages also include the ability to study from |
| well. | | | | remote locations, to save on commute time, to enjoy |
| An associate's degree can be a great way to handle | | | | diverse classes with multimedia components and to |
| debt after college graduation and reduce job search | | | | interact through technology such as message boards, |
| anxieties, a blog noted. Associate's degrees typically | | | | Community College Review noted. |
| take two years to obtain, and an array of online | | | | Online college enrollment has for years been increasing |
| colleges and universities offer them in a variety of | | | | substantially, and online degree programs have been |
| subject areas. And students working toward | | | | expanding fast. Community colleges, which are known |
| associate's degrees can reportedly include everyone | | | | for associate's degree programs, have seen particular |
| from high school graduates who could soon begin | | | | success online. Community colleges account for more |
| entering college at age 16 to those returning in their | | | | than half of all online course enrollments in the past five |
| later years in search of assistance with landing jobs. | | | | years, according to a Sloan Consortium report cited in |
| Students with associate's degrees or less, in fact, have | | | | a February edition of Community College Review. |
| an opportunity to enter some of the fastest growing | | | | Many adults are enrolling in community colleges as a |
| occupations over the next decade, the April U.S. News | | | | means of updating skills or retraining for new careers, |
| & World Report article suggested. These careers | | | | according to news reports from states such as |
| include everything from home health aides who might | | | | Michigan and Rhode Island. Next year, some Rhode |
| earn around $10 per hour and not require an | | | | Island students as young as 16 might also enter |
| associate's degree to veterinary technicians, physical | | | | community colleges. High schools here and in |
| therapist assistants, and dental hygienists who could | | | | Connecticut, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, New |
| command annual salaries of up to around $66,000, | | | | Mexico, Pennsylvania and Vermont reportedly plan to |
| according to the U.S. News report. | | | | allow students to begin taking tests in the 10th grade |
| Department of Labor statistics show that college | | | | that, if they pass and so desire, would allow them to |
| degrees can increase an individual's earning potential. | | | | earn their diplomas immediately and enter community |
| And entry requirements for associate's degree | | | | college, according to a February report in the New |
| programs can be a little easier than those for other | | | | York Times. The program, modeled after those in |
| degree programs, according to a quote from job | | | | high-performing European and Asian nations, is |
| hunting book author Dr. Laurence Shatkin. Students | | | | intended at least in part to improve associate degree |
| who want to move immediately into the workforce | | | | completion rates, The Times suggested. |