Upgrade your skills and degree from your PC
A guide to adult learning, accredited institutions; online and real worldOne of the typical by-products of an economic downturn is the large enrollment of those already in the marketplace into an advanced degree program. Some enroll as a result of job loss. Others are moved too by an increase in responsibilities minus the promotion. Most return to maintain their edge thereby remaining both valuable and competitive in the marketplace.
For those that returned you should now be reaping the rewards of your efforts. For those that have contemplated returning to obtain a degree, now is the time. The web has impacted higher education in an infinite number of ways. For starters it has enabled the working adult to finish or achieve their bachelors and/or masters degrees. Many colleges and universities in Houston offer both campus and online degrees for working adults. The classes offered are available for most disciplines and allow for unmatched flexibility in a working adults schedule. The web has also become a conduit for traditional bricks and mortar (or is that stones and mortar) universities and their respective degree programs. Chances are that school with the well-known MBA program also has an online version of it. These two facts alone have resulted in untold benefits for the adult student. The advent of accredited online universities has forced traditional universities to become more flexible to adult students, while the entry of traditional institutes of learning sets the bar that all players must meet. In the end the student benefits. This flexibility is quite obvious on the pages of University of Houston Downtown, Houston Community College System, and University of Phoenix.
Online or Local?
While both offer certain benefits there also exists a number of tradeoffs. Determining your reality and needs should be the first step in making a determination. What is the nature of your work schedule? Do have a set schedule or do you find yourself facing urgencies at the end of the working day? Is your place of work confined to a specific geographical area, or do you check your email in the airport lounge? Do you prefer to work with others in person or will remote teammates suffice? The answers to these questions should give you a rough idea of the implied benefits and challenges that each learning environment brings with it. Odds are if you are a management consultant that spends a great deal of time at a remote client site then the online option would provide the flexibility you need. Those with set local and hours might prefer the physical interaction that takes place in a traditional classroom setting. Those seeking a masters degree should thoroughly evaluate those benefits that lie outside the actually degree; namely that of networking. Its no secret that the most valuable component of obtaining an MBA is the networking and contacts that are built whilst obtaining the degree. Evaluate and compare this aspect when choosing your program. With contacts and co-workers spread far and wide, this may not even be a factor in today's global economy.
The growth in online degree options has grown to such a degree that it is impossible to list the various options here.
For a list of degrees available online we recommend the following site:
Direct Degree - Online Distance Learning ProgramsLegitimacy and Value
Does a degree obtained in a virtual world translate into real-world benefits? The most importing aspect of evaluating any degree plan is accreditation. Is the institution recognized and accredited by a legitimate governing body? Who else does this governing body recognize and issue accreditation. to? If your university has established real-world colleges and universities as it's peers then you know you are on the right foot. It is vitally important that the institution is accredited. This key component allows for peer recognition of credit hours and earned degrees. Those seeking to fulfill a masters or doctoral level degree rely upon their programs acceptance of prior work and degrees.
While non-accredited programs do have value (Microsoft Certification, PMI, CCIE,etc.) it is important to achieve a degree from an accredited institution. Many questions have been asked regarding the value of online or satellite campuses of the more popular adult learning institution. Many fear that the "online" nomenclature will discredit their hard work and efforts. This is far from the case. Much like the old Packard Automobile ad, "Ask the man that owns one" could not ring any truer.
The fact is that in some cases the online degrees have a level of difficulty that attended classes do not. Anyone who has participated in an online program will testify that these are not "point and click" programs. The work and material is real, and the self discipline that is required will convince anyone with lingering doubts of online coursework's legitimacy. Another nod to the perceived value of a program is corporate support and buy-in of the institution. Many adult learners enjoy the benefit of having educational reimbursement of their college expenses paid for by their employers. Some even receive guidance into these types of programs. Finally the entry of traditional institution removes any lingering doubt as to the quality and legitimacy of an online degree.
Looking for a guide to the University of Houston Downtown degree plans? Check out our spotlight of University of Houston Downtown
