Degree and Course Offerings of Online Colleges May Increase

by Sarah Clark
Online Degrees Columnist

Congress recently ruled that college students no longer have to attend 50% of their courses on campus to be eligible for federal financial aid. Due to this important change, the number of online course offerings will likely increase.

This recent piece of legislation is good for the online education sector as well as the students who will benefit from more online course offerings. The number and variety of offerings in distance learning education is already notable. For nearly any career you choose to pursue, there's likely an online college degree for it.

You might wonder, however, how you can get an online degree in nursing, for example? Don't you have to complete lab work? How can you do that at home?

Most online universities will continue to offer courses on their campuses that require lab work. Students will also have the opportunity to complete a rotation in a clinic to gain on-the-job experience in bedside nursing.

Campus-based Learning Will Endure

There are still areas of education that require students to complete their work on a college campus. Degrees in medicine and law, for example, typically still take place on college campuses due to their academic rigor and hands-on technical training. Degrees in fields that support doctors and lawyers, however, such as medical assistants and paralegals, are more likely to be offered in distance-learning degree programs.

Advantages of Distance Learning

Online degrees mostly cater to working professionals seeking to make a career change. Some of the most popular online degrees are in business administration, computer technology, and human resources.

More variety in distance-learning courses will also benefit those seeking to take a class for personal enrichment. Maybe you've always wanted to learn more about revolutionary France or 16th century art, for example. You can take courses such as these from the comfort of your home.

The field of online education is not widely regulated like many industries in the United States, which means that you should research the distance learning institution you are considering enrolling in. Make sure they are reputable - talk to others who have taken a course with them just as you would do with a regular, campus-based college.

Online education can be a great tool for the right type of learner. Find out today if it's right for you.

About the Author
Sarah Clark is a freelance writer specializing in career development and postsecondary education.

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