How to Choose the Right Online Bachelor's Degree Program
How to choose the right online bachelor's degree program
You've decided to get your bachelor's degree, and you've decided that an online bachelor's degree program is right for you. Congratulations on your decision! That's a great first step. But choosing the right online bachelor's degree program can be daunting.
Take a look at the following considerations, and good luck!
Select your online bachelor's degree program major
What are your goals?
With so many options available out there, how will you decide which online bachelor's degree program is right for you? Would it be better to get a degree in business, for example, or communication? Computer engineering or computer science? Some answers may be obvious. If you want to be an accountant, for example, you might want to go for that accounting degree. But some of them are not quite so obvious!
Try working backwards. What's your career goal? Are you looking for a promotion at work or to start or change your career? Find the person who has that job, and just ask them. You'll be surprised how many people are willing to share their journey, even with a stranger on social media.
If you're looking for a promotion at work, that's simple. Simply approach your supervisor or another leader and tell them you're thinking about starting an online bachelor's degree program, and get their thoughts. Find out what degree they earned, and ask if they advise a similar education pathway for you.
When you're looking outside your field, that might get a bit more complicated. You may need to get bold and look for some opportunities to network in-person through professional organizations, or even reach out through social media like Twitter or LinkedIn. If you're really shooting for the stars, try a role that is in between yours and your dream job.
Find your school
If you've done any searching, you likely know that there are quite a few online bachelor's degree programs out there from a range of schools from ivy league to teeny tiny and maybe even some that you've never heard of or who have a "virtual" campus. Selecting the right school for your online bachelor's degree program is critical, because your choice of university could impact everything from the quality of your classes to the validity of your degree. Here are some questions to ask when selecting your university:
Is it accredited?
A college's accreditation might not matter much to you unless your college doesn't have it. From the institution's point of view, accreditation has a lot to do with access to federal funding and the access students have to federal and state grants and loans.
Accreditation boards check things like enrollment, pass rates, programs offered, resources available for students, and job placement to assure the quality of an institution. If a university or college does not receive accreditation, it may impact your ability to receive financial aid or a low interest education loan. If your program of choice is not accredited, it may impact your ability to take professional exams or even get a job.
Is it established?
While there is no reason you can't get a terrific education from an accredited newer university, there's something to be said about an institution with an established reputation, especially in online learning. Look into the websites of a university, social media, and even rankings and reviews. All of these things should be in place and built out for an established university.
Is it for-profit or nonprofit?
It's hard to point to distinct differences between for-profit institutions and nonprofit except for their financial structures, but there are some things to keep in mind. For-profit schools tend to be newer and have a bit lower barrier to admission and tuition and fees tend to be higher, but that depends on the institution.
When considering either a for-profit or nonprofit, consider whether your credits will transfer and ask specific questions about financial aid, being very clear about who is granting your loan: the Department of Education or the school itself. Either way, double check that you understand the terms of a loan or whether you are eligible for financial aid.
If you're seeking an online bachelor's degree in a field that will require professional exams such as teaching, nursing, or engineering, make sure that the school is properly accredited so that your time in class will go towards your eligibility to take and pass those exams.
Is it ranked?
College rankings are another area where there's a ton of information out there, some more useful than others. Some long-trusted and established sources of college rankings include U.S. News & World Report and Forbes, but there are plenty of reputable rankings sources out there for online degree programs, and some of them focus on really important issues, such as accessibility for students with disabilities, programs designed for women or minorities, and affordability. One word of caution when navigating rankings websites: it's sometimes easy to mistake a paid advertisement for a ranking, so keep an eye out for the word "sponsored."
How do the online programs compare to campus programs?
Ideally, an online bachelor's degree program should be identical to an on-campus program, but some things will have to be different just because of the nature of the way you're getting your lessons. Class discussions, for example, may happen over video chat or message boards as opposed to inside of a classroom. You may take your tests online and submit assignments via the learning management system, and although you will likely develop relationships with classmates and professors, you may never meet them face to face.
What's really important to weigh is what's called "academic rigor." Your online bachelor's degree program shouldn't be any easier than what it would be if you came to campus for class. After all, you want to get the most out of your education, right? Also make sure there's no difference between the university's online degrees and degrees awarded to on-campus students. You want the benefit of that university faculty's reputation and resources without distinction.
Is it affordable?
Besides time, cost is the most important barrier that prevents motivated people from earning their degree online. There's a lot to consider when looking at overall affordability of an online bachelor's degree program. Tuition may be low, but watch out for extra fees. Also look up your potential schools online and see if people generally consider them "worth the money." This could be a good place for reputable rankings, as well!
Other important things to consider
What support will I receive?
Online learning has a lot of benefits, but you can't just drop by your advisor's office when you have questions the way an on-campus student would. But your online bachelor's degree program advisors should be just as effective, if not more effective, for you attending classes online.
A good place to start is the application process, which can be complicated all on its own. Will you be helped through the requirements? Will someone take the time to explain the specifics about your program?
Be sure to ask about what happens if you have to take a semester off, if you miss classes, or you withdraw or fail a class. Hopefully you'll never have to, but it's important to be prepared for all possibilities, and know that regardless of what life throws at you, you'll be able to finish your degree.
Will I connect with the faculty?
Just as important as your advisor are the various professors you'll learn from during the course of your program. These subject matter experts will be your first source for information and your biggest help for your individual success. Even if you're taking an "at your own pace" class where lectures are pre-recorded, you'll want to, and should, connect with your professors throughout the semester.
What is my next step?
Big picture, where do you see your life after you earn your degree? Will you go right to work or will you be looking for a graduate degree, such as an MBA? If grad school is your next step, take a second to see what is available. You could save time and money by taking advantage of an accelerated program that combines undergraduate and graduate requirements.
What do the students say?
While no school is perfect, most graduates are proud of their alma maters. Do you see a lot of student faces on social media and on the school's website? What type of jobs do alumni have on LinkedIn? Does the school have a good employment rate? Are alumni stories listed out there? Take a look!
Do you have military experience?
Active duty military students, veterans, or military dependents have a lot of extra things to consider. There may be degrees that are better suited for your skill set developed through military training. You could be interested in getting into another field entirely, but you'll still need to meet certain qualifications to take advantage of your GI Bill®.* Not to mention, some schools are just better equipped to handle the changing lifestyles of military students. Look into military rankings, and ask your friends and coworkers.
Can you meet technical considerations?
At the very least, you'll need internet access and a computer for your online bachelor's degree program. But this doesn't necessarily mean you need the fastest speeds available and your own personal laptop. Many successful online students work at libraries and higher education centers.
Be sure to consider technical support and training resources, too. No matter how computer savvy you are, you're bound to encounter a technical hiccup from time to time. How available is the tech support? Does the school you're interested in have partnerships that make the necessary technology accessible?
What student resources are available?
The student experience is one of the best parts of college, and you shouldn't miss it because you're online. Are you able to connect with student organizations, the career management center, the library, the writing and tutorial center, and even some of the more fun services like activities and sporting events? Not only will you benefit as a student, these types of services could help you take steps in your career.
What does your own schedule look like?
Figure out if you even have the time to go to school. It's easy to say "I'm too busy" but you might be surprised. Take a look at your day to day life. What are can't-miss essentials? Probably work, family time, eating, and sleeping. What are things you like to do, but are a bit more flexible or you can rearrange? And keeping in mind how important it is to take a break now and then, how much time is up for leisure? Then instead of thinking about sacrificing one thing to your studies, consider rearranging some things. For example, instead of "there goes my gym time" say, "I can go to the gym for a half hour instead of an hour, and then take a walk at lunch while listening to a lecture."
Keep in mind that while many classes are available for self-paced work, some require specific meeting times. Ask those questions before you enroll and chat with your family and coworkers before determining how you will balance your time.
How long will the program take to complete?
You want to get on with your life, and adding an online bachelor's degree program will definitely shake things up. How far away is the light the end of the tunnel? Are you on a deadline for a promotion or a job, or before your funding runs out? This could be a major deciding factor for you in choosing your online bachelor's degree program.
Do you have transfer credits?
Have you earned credits at a community college or other college or university? If so, will they transfer? Many schools will do a transcript analysis for you when you apply. ODUGlobal will even take an unofficial look for free before you apply. Don't lose any credits if you don't have to!
Deciding on the the right online bachelor's degree program for you can seem like a daunting task with a lot to consider, but you'll be glad you took the time to do the research. A degree can change your life! If you're interested in exploring ODUGlobal's programs, please visit online.odu.edu for more information.
* This institution is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill