Online bachelor's degree programs allow busy people to take college courses at a time and place convenient to them. These programs also permit those people who live far from a college to complete a degree at home.
There are several types of degrees that you can earn from an online program. A Bachelor of Science degree will prepare you for a career in medicine, science, architecture, engineering or other technical fields.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree can major in such subjects as English, journalism, psychology, sociology, social work and teaching. A Bachelor in Fine Arts degree can prepare you for a career in acting, stage production, theater, music, interior design, clothing design or managing an art gallery.
There is usually no time limit placed on obtaining your degree online. It is understood that online learners may have other commitments that may prevent them from having the time to finish a degree in 4 years.
Students attend classes and complete coursework on their computers at a time that is convenient for them. There is usually a time limit for completing the requirements for each class, but you may find that you have a week or two to complete that week's class and submit any papers or quizzes. Some online programs require that students spend a few days at the physical location of the college during the course of the semester, while other programs are run completely online.
Before you begin an online program, you will need to decide what program would fit your needs for both convenience and course content. Make sure you understand how much tuition will cost, including all lab and textbook fees. Find out if your computer hardware can run the online program for the course and if you will need to buy any software for your classes. Ask if the college has made provisions for students who are having difficulty to contact the instructor directly.
For a listing of schools offering online bachelor's degree programs, see the Resources section below. Be sure to also check with local colleges and ask if they offer online programs.
Make sure that the school you plan to attend is accredited and has been in operation for some time. A degree from an unaccredited college or university will not have the same worth in the job market as a degree from an accredited school.