How
do online degrees work?
While this may vary from school to school, an online class
is generally hosted on its own web site. The instructor
posts lecture materials and assignments to this site,
and there is usually a bulletin board or other discussion
forum where students may post comments and questions.
The instructor may occasionally designate a specific log-in
time for an online chat session, but otherwise you may
log in and work at any time. Assignments are emailed to
the instructor, usually on designated "due"
dates. For many online classes, written course-work takes
the place of traditional examinations. When this is not
the case, examinations may be offered online, or they
may be proctored; many schools provide students with listings
of suitable locations in their area where tests may be
taken.
Do I ever have to come to campus?
Some schools may require students to spend a few days
or weeks on campus, but many have no residency requirement.
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Will I be able to complete classes/degrees
at my own pace?
While some online classes or degree programs allow students
to complete coursework at their own pace, many programs
affiliated with traditional universities require online
students to maintain the same quarter or semester schedule
as on-campus students. Many online classes are structured
around a series of assignments and examinations, much
like traditional courses. While some classes and degrees
may be completed at an accelerated pace, classes are
usually structured in such a way that they require a
minimum of six to eight weeks to complete.
Can I start any time?
If the class or degree program you're enrolled in is
self-paced, you'll probably be able to start any time.
However, many online classes/degree programs are structured
like traditional classes/degree programs in that groups
of students are scheduled to take a class/go through
a degree-program together. When this is the case, there
is generally a designated start date.
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Will I work with an academic advisor?
If you are enrolling in an online degree program, it's
highly likely that you will work closely with an academic
advisor to plan your curriculum. If you're enrolling
only in an online course or two, you probably won't
work with an advisor.
What are the benefits of online learning? How
does the online educational experience compare to the
more traditional, on-campus experience?
Many working nurses with family responsibilities cannot
afford to work less while attending school. Though online
education is no less demanding than traditional education,
the option of learning online allows many nurses to
earn an advanced degree at home, completing coursework
at their convenience. This saves on travel time - which
is particularly useful for students living in rural
areas that are not close to any nursing schools.
Although online course content is generally the same
as that of a traditional course, many prospective students
worry that by taking courses online, they will not receive
the benefit of personal interaction with their instructors
and fellow classmates. However, although students who
take courses online usually do not meet face-to-face
with instructors and classmates, communication via email
or online discussions often proves to be just as rewarding.
Students who take courses online also usually have the
advantage of receiving instructors' lectures in written
form.
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What type of computer equipment do I need?
This varies from program to program, but students planning
to enroll in online classes should expect, at minimum,
to be required to have regular access to a computer
with an internet connection and to have an email account.
You should check with the school in which you are planning
to enroll in order to find out what more specific requirements
might be. Some questions you might want to ask are:
What version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer or Netscape
Navigator do I need?
How fast should my modem be?
Does my computer need to be IBM compatible?
Do I need to have Microsoft Office software?
I've never taken a course over the internet. How do
I know I can do it?
If you have a computer, access to the internet, and
an email account, chances are you'll be able to take
a course online. Many schools that offer online courses
have a simple test page that allows you to determine
whether or not you have the right equipment to take
an online course. If this isn't the case, you can always
call or email the school to find out what equipment
you'll need in order to get started.
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How much will an online degree cost?
This varies widely by school and degree program. Students
should expect to pay anywhere from a little less than
$100 to more than $300 dollars a credit, with average
tuition for online programs sponsored by public universities
generally falling in the $110-170 range. Additional
registration or enrollment fees may also be charged.
One advantage of taking classes online is that out-of-state
tuition is not typically charged.
Are scholarships available?
Students enrolled in online degree programs are often
eligible for the same types of scholarships and financial
aid as are students enrolled in traditional programs.
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Will I be able to receive credit for work experience?
Students seeking to receive credit for work experience
generally have one or two options, depending on the
school they're planning to attend. Many schools allow
students to complete proficiency exams such as the College
Level Examination Program (CLEP) or the Proficiency
Examination Program (PEP) in lieu of course-work in
areas in which they have work experience or knowledge
gained though independent study. Some schools also allow
students to turn in a portfolio (officially documented)
listing experiences for which college credit may be
awarded.
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