Check the accreditation status of your program before you begin. While astronomy isn't a profession that is licensed, the accreditation status of your degree program could impact which professional societies you can join and what position you can hold within the field.
This is also an important consideration if you wish to attend a traditional graduate school later. Many universities will not accept a prior degree if the conferring university is not accredited.
The types of astronomy degrees available via distance education range from a Bachelor of Science to a Ph.D. However, it should be noted that the Ph.D. is not a traditional research degree when achieved through distance education. It is possible to fulfill the observation component that is required in research degrees by enrolling for a term at an on-site university.
A distance-education astronomy degree takes no more time to complete than it would in a traditional educational setting, provided you put in the same amount of time. Because those who have job or family commitments favor distance education, these degrees tend to take longer to achieve.
While distance-education programs often consider work experience when granting credits, this is primarily available for the bachelor's degree. Masters and doctoral students can expect to take all of the coursework.
The lower cost in obtaining an astronomy degree through distance education is an obvious benefit. A less obvious benefit is that studying for a degree through distance education means that you don't have to quit your current job. You will be earning your astronomy degree at your own pace and without the pressure of a traditional university timetable.
No matter what your current profession, the additional education can be a boost to your earning potential. Earning an astronomy degree at the master's or Ph.D. level makes university teaching a possibility.
The growth of distance-education programs is projected to grow well into the future, according to the U.S. Department of Education. For astronomy degrees, this means that more courses will be available for those wishing to earn a degree through distance education.
Distance education in the math and science areas has often lagged behind the arts and humanities. This is due largely to the laboratory component inherent in the sciences. Because much of the work toward an astronomy degree is the study of charts and data, astronomy is well-suited to distance education.