While computer programmers are not licensed professionals, some organizations require those wishing to join have a degree from an accredited institution. This is normally easy to bypass in the computer industry because of the required certification exams that usually meet the requirements of those organizations.
If you are looking to use federal financial aid programs to fund your studies, you should know these programs are only available through accredited institutions.
Unlike most degree programs, computer programming also comes with certifications that are earned through testing. The standard degrees of bachelor's, master's and doctorate are sought through the degree programs, but those wishing to succeed in the field will also desire various computer language and systems certifications.
Certifications are earned while the degree requirements are being fulfilled. Tests are conducted after the completion of certain courses that lead to certification being granted. For distance education students, these exams are usually taken online.
You should expect to spend as much actual time working on your distance program as you would if it were an on-campus program. You will be able to set the pace for yourself, but hour for hour, the time is the same. Expect your bachelor's degree in between three and four years, a master's degree after an additional two years. A doctorate in computer programming will normally take an additional three years beyond a master's degree and will require extensive research and writing skills.
The cost for attending a distance education program is usually considered the top benefit. Distance education programs are much less expensive than traditional on-campus programs.
A bonus for those already working in the tech industry is that the further you progress in your degree and the more certifications you acquire, the more money you will make and the more job security you will have, even before being awarded the degree.
The U.S. Department of Education predicts continued growth for distance education for many years into the future. The University of London boasts that its distance education programs have more students than the on-campus programs.
Computer programming is well-suited to distance education because more often than not, distance education is online education. This is especially important in computer programming because by the time a textbook is printed it's obsolete. Online education makes it possible for computer programmers to learn the very latest information. There is no foreseeable end to that need or the Internet's ability to fulfill it.