Narrow your degree desires. Prior to searching out home-degree options, consider what you actually intend to do with your degree. Do you want to own a business? Then a business degree aimed at entrepreneurial skills may be the best fit. Also, figure out how much time you can devote to your online classes and studies as well as the amount of tuition that you can afford. According to AllBusinessSchools.com, most students attending online business degree programs spend 13 hours weekly doing coursework.
Research online degree programs. Not all online degree universities are accredited, which may impact the perceived quality of your education to future employers. Also investigate the types of business degrees offered, class times and cost, and consider researching online programs offered by universities or colleges in your area. This creates the possibility to meet other students and have direct access to university materials.
Choose a degree program and apply. This may include transferring transcripts from other colleges or universities. It may also include filling out a lengthy application, applying for student loans and possibly securing letters of recommendation. Many states offer grants and scholarships for business degrees; prior to applying to a university, research these to see if you qualify. If letters of recommendation are necessary, seek out peers, coworkers or employees who can highlight your entrepreneurial skills.
Begin your online classes. You will receive log-in information, and this is a good time to get familiar with the class formats and the various university databases that you will use. Make sure to attend classes online at scheduled times and to make use of all of the resources provided to you. Often, email is an integral aspect of the online degree experience, so use it regularly to stay in contact with professors and other classmates. Coursework may include business management, marketing and even accounting.
Meet deadlines and maintain your dedication. In order to maintain an online degree program, you must continue to meet course deadlines, pass exams and pursue the correct courses to degree completion. This takes dedication because completing a degree at home means juggling home and education responsibilities. The time to completion may vary according to the degree type. Associate degrees generally take around two years, while bachelor degrees usually take four years to complete. This may also be a good time to begin considering a business internship or working part time in your desired area. For instance, if your goal is to open a franchise, try to get a job or shadow an owner of this same franchise in your area.