As wireless technology grows more advanced and prospective students' lives grow more complex, online universities are becoming a practical solution for people too busy for structured coursework. Some online degrees are run as a distance education option from a bricks-and-mortar university, with Boston University's online program being an exemplary representative of this type. Other degrees are offered by virtual universities streaming almost completely online, such as Capella University.
Online degree programs are descended from televised classes originally intended to bring higher education to working adults who could not attend classes held on campus. With the advent of the World Wide Web, virtual degree programs expanded to include postgraduate degree completion options for busy executives. Now, options are available that enable students to complete an entire degree online, from beginning to end. Tiffin University's Ivy Bridge College and Online Degree Completion programs might be of particular interest to nontraditional students.
If possessing a solid credential for a resume is the goal, accreditation is key to choosing an online university. Accredited virtual universities such as Walden University are steadily growing in reputation, and many can offer an online degree with flexible scheduling not possible at most bricks-and-mortar institutions. If the cachet of a familiar school name is desired, more and more public university systems, such as SUNY, are offering online degree programs in addition to the traditional college model.
Because so many distance education organizations are unaccredited "diploma mills," set up to receive tuition money with no valuable teaching provided in return, it is easy to be suspicious of online universities as a whole. To be sure, there are some out there to be wary of. Always make sure the accrediting institution is recognized by the governmental education authority for your nation or state. However, there are online degree options that are fully accredited, with more being offered every year. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a good place to start when looking for accredited online programs.
The benefits for having a college degree are measurable in terms of average salary increases and employability, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor. An online degree can make higher education accessible for people who are already holding down full-time jobs, as well as for people who wish to pursue degree programs that are not available close to home. College Crunch and the Online Education Database offer rankings for online college programs, and the ever-popular U.S. News & World Report has an extensive list of programs on its website as well.