Monday, June 11, 2007

Online Accredited Degree Program - Advantages and Disadvantages

Online Accredited Degree Program - Advantages and Disadvantages

eLearningYellowPages.com is a leading free directory of online study programs that are offered by accredited colleges and universities for the benefit of the distance learner. The mere existence of such a directory proves the growing popularity of online courses and degree programs. An increasing number of applicants are deciding to pursue their degrees online. However, it is essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages to online accredited degree program before taking the plunge.

Indeed one of the most important and obvious advantages of accredited online degree programs is the flexibility and convenience they allow in terms of both pace as well as time. Since these programs are offered online the student does not need to be physically present in traditional college classrooms or follow stringent schedules thus allowing the candidate to hold down a full-time job at the same time they are pursuing a degree. It is almost impossible to pursue a full time career along with a degree in the case of traditional colleges and universities that require physical attendance from the student.

Another advantage to online degree programs is the self-determination of the pace of study that the student wishes to adopt. Unlike regular colleges, students of online degree programs may often skip through parts or decide to revise them depending on the comprehension level of the chapter. They are not forced to follow an average study speed. Many students complete their programs much faster than the usual 2-4 years a traditional setting requires, in fact at some schools programs may be completed in as little as 12 - 24 months.

It would be correct to say that online degree programs are more individual centered while regular colleges adopt more general methods of teaching. Since these degree courses are offered by accredited universities and cover the same syllabus as regular colleges, they do have a high level of acceptance in the commercial world. Statistics prove that over 85 % employers give similar weigthage to degrees achieved online as they do to regular degrees.

Having stated that over 85 % employers accept online degrees it has to be said that regular college degrees are given importance by 100 % employers. Online degrees need self-motivation and since there is, no constant pressure to perform there is a tendency to under perform when studying for an online degree. Due to lack of interaction with peers, the competitive spirit is also missing in the case of online degree studies.

Only after carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages to online degree programs and taking the self assessment available at eLearningYellowPages.com can an individual take an informed decision to pursue an online degree program or not.



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