Online Degrees in South Carolina (SC)

One reason South Carolina stays ahead of the educational curve is through the acceptance and proliferation of online education. According to information from the state's Commission on Higher Education, the value of online degrees in South Carolina is intrinsic to the state's accomplishment. The commission notes in a recent report that online courses and programs "can be critical to the success of non-traditional students who often need to fit coursework into a schedule which includes work and family demands."

Online degrees, in South Carolina and beyond, are changing the way today's students think about their educational paths. Over the past 10 or 15 years, this non-traditional learning environment has grown out of student need and continues to evolve to suit both economic and educational necessity. Today, online degree programs in South Carolina are among the most flexible learning options for students.

Provost Academy, South Carolina's online public high school, offers students the same degree they would obtain through a traditional school with the additional benefits of more options. The flexibility offered via the online learning program continues to boost high school graduation rates across the state. In addition to the unique online high school program, online degrees in South Carolina can include the following:

• GED or high school equivalency degrees
• Vocational or professional certification courses
• Two-year associate degrees
• Bachelor's degrees
• Master's degrees
• Doctoral degrees

To add on to the varying levels of academic offerings, learning institutions in South Carolina come with differing levels of accreditation. Some scholars believe the most prestigious online degrees in South Carolina come from regionally accredited schools, or those endorsed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Nationally accredited schools also offer career-minded students educational opportunities. Accreditation ensures that online degree programs meet the same standards as traditional brick-and-mortar institutions.

South Carolina's economy is thriving. A recent report from The State, a daily metro newspaper based in Columbia, S.C., indicates the state's economy is recovering faster than anticipated, and tax rolls are on the rise. South Carolina's state tax revenues for 2010 were 6.9 percent higher than they were in 2009, even though economists only predicted a 4.2 percent increase. Additionally, residents here are earning more than they did last year, as income reports showed a 4 percent increase over 2009 figures. The optimism reflected in these figures might stem from the fact that the state has a 21^st-century mindset which hones in on technology and relies on a highly-skilled workforce.

Though the state's economy once relied on agriculture and textile manufacturing, times are changing. According to information from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, major employers here include those in the health care, retail and manufacturing sectors, all of which rely on educated individuals to fill everything from leadership positions to basic, entry-level functions.

According to the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, the following jobs, which are on the state's list of the 50 fastest-growing occupations, require a bachelor's degree.

• Accountants and auditors (Average hourly pay in South Carolina: $27.09)
• Management analysts ($33.74)
• Middle school teachers ($22.20)
• Pharmacists ($51.94)
• Network systems and data communications analysts ($30.15)

At the associate degree level, dental hygienists ($26.67), registered nurses ($28.69) and HVAC technicians ($17.56) all made the list as well.

Many online, post-secondary degrees may prove valuable to South Carolina's economic climate:

• Associate in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Business
• Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Master of Business Administration

Additionally, earning a degree can literally pay off for individuals. According to 2010 salary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one's level of education can heavily impact his or her earnings. Though the median weekly income among all Americans was $782, those with at least a bachelor's degree earned considerably more:

• Those with bachelor's degrees earned median weekly earnings of $1,038
• Those with master's degrees took in median weekly wages of $1,272
• Those with other professional degrees brought home median weekly incomes of $1,610
• Those with doctoral degrees had media weekly earnings of $1,550.

Online degrees in South Carolina make education more accessible to learners from all walks of life, and in the process, open the door to economic advancement.