Category: Student Focus

It’s easy, it’s lonely, it’s a scam; anyone who works in online education has heard all this nonsense before. Online degrees may be growing in popularity, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of misconceptions still surrounding these programs.

Here are seven of the most common misconceptions that prospective students and the public tend to have, along with some info on the truth of the matter to bust these myths once and for all.

1. Only in it for the money

Myth: “Schools that offer online degrees are all for-profit diploma mills.”

Fact: This one is so far from the truth that it’s amazing there are people who still believe it. National institutions have been getting into the online education game with regularity over the last several years, and their online programs rank among the best:

Not only can students get a good education from online degree programs, in some cases there are only a handful of on-campus programs that can deliver a better one.

2. The easy way out

Myth: “Online degree programs are an easy way for students to get degrees without working hard.”

Fact: Sure, it’s true that online programs can make it easier for students to fit their education into a busy work or family schedule. But the notion that scheduling flexibility translates to a whole curriculum of blow-off classes is a total misconception.

Dr. Jessica McSheck Houston has been teaching online courses for over a decade. “Online learning platforms offer a wide range of flexibility,” she said in an interview, “however, the course work is as rigorous as an educational program at a brick-and-mortar school. Students who commit to learning online quickly realize that they must be extremely disciplined and determined.”

3. Bad for business

Myth: “Employers don’t respect applicants who earned their degrees online.”

Fact: According to a 2010 study conducted by opinion pollsters Zogby International, a full 83 percent of executives believed that there was no difference between an online degree and one earned in a traditional campus setting.

In fact, the name of the school that granted the degree held much more weight in employers’ eyes than the method by which it was earned. Online degrees and on-campus degrees from the same familiar institution carry essentially the same weight.

4. Together but alone

Myth: “You never interact with other students in online courses.”

Fact: According to Dr. Patrick Jones, vice provost of Excelsior College, students in some online classes may interact more with one another than their brick-and-mortar counterparts.

“Virtually all online courses require students to engage with each other through weekly discussion questions, peer review of student work and other forms of collaboration,” Dr. Jones said in an email interview. “In contrast, most traditional courses (especially those general education courses with faculty to student ratios in the 1:200 range) have no such requirement.”

5. Resource-free

Myth: “Online students don’t have access to the same resources as traditional students.”

Fact: It may have been the case a decade ago that online educational resources lagged behind, but the gap is closing fast. Virtual libraries, online learning labs, degree advisement, job placement assistance and alumni services are available at online schools across the country.

Certain institutions do offer different resources than others, though, so students are encouraged to check with an advisor or registrar to ensure that their chosen school has what they need.

6. Disconnected professors

Myth: “Online professors don’t engage with students like they do in on-campus programs.”

Fact: Many online programs work to ensure that faculty-student communication is abundant and effective. Professors tend to respond to discussion board posts, emails and curriculum questions within a day or so, and most online class software makes it fairly simple for students to reach out.

Professor engagement can even be inconsistent in fully campus-based programs. Professor-student interaction tends to be more a function of the individual professor than the method of class delivery.

7. MOOC hype

Myth: “Online classes are all MOOCs, and MOOCs don’t work.”

Fact: To address the second part of the myth first, MOOCs can be great for a certain type of student — they just take a particular learning approach. Also, despite their relentless 2012-13 hype machine, very few classes in online degree programs are actually massive open courses.

Dr. Diane M. Gayeski, dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College, sets the record straight: “The most successful courses are not MOOCs, they are SPOCs (small, private online courses) in which an intentionally small group of students work very closely and collaboratively with each other and with professors.”

Get experienced

There are many more misconceptions out there, these are just a few of the most common. Anyone with preconceived notions about online education should research a little deeper — the truth might be surprising.

Sources:
Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, U.S. News & World Report, 2014, http://www.usnews.com/bachelor/education/online-education/bachelors/rankings
Top Public Schools, National Universities, U.S. News & World Report, 2014, http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public/spp+50
“Employers on online education,” CNN Living, Rachel Zupek, March 29, 2010, http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/worklife/03/29/cb.employers.online.education/index/
Interview, Dr. Jessica McSheck Houston, June 26, 2014
Interview, Dr. Patrick Jones, June 26, 2014
Interview, Dr. Diane M. Gayeski, June 26, 2014

Online education can conjure a range of emotions, depending on who you talk to. For some, attending class online appears to lack face-to-face collaboration with other students and teachers. For others, online classes offer a way to get university-level instruction that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Students with full-time jobs or a family to take care of simply don’t have the time or finances to spend all day hanging around a college campus. For these students, the benefits of an online degree are clear. Taking classes online, from a distance, and on their own time enables them to pursue something previously impossible to attain: a college education.

As with on-campus learning, distance learning has its own advantages and disadvantages. Without a good understanding of what to expect, students can find themselves lost or frustrated. To get a fuller view of how to handle online learning, I turned to Brian Miller, Interim Dean for Davenport University Online.

What are the biggest advantages of online classes? How do you work with students to overcome the challenges inherent in distance learning?

Miller: The biggest advantage of online classes is the ability to learn from anywhere. For real-time classes, this means we can have one instructor serve students at multiple locations. For your-time classes (classes students take at their own speed) the added benefit of being able to conduct learning on a schedule that’s convenient for students is another huge benefit. In all of our online courses at Davenport, benefits go far beyond flexibility, however. Assignments that get students out into the community with their smartphones, for example, allow us to enhance every student’s experience by combining a diverse set of viewpoints into the online classroom.

The biggest challenges inherent in distance learning revolve around student/professor interaction. Davenport encourages the use of video, the blending of real-time and your-time communication within classes, and the availability of student support services for all of our online learners to ensure that online students have an experience that is on par (or even better!) than our in-seat student experience. The data suggests we have been successful as student retention and satisfaction scores for our Global Campus is nearly identical to our in-seat students.

Brian brings up a couple good points. As already mentioned, the biggest advantages of online learning revolve around flexibility for students. Davenport offers their online classes as either real-time or your-time formats with the ability to make classes fit your schedule. Although interaction with the instructor and other students is sometimes a challenge, it apparently hasn’t been affecting student success.

How different are the online and offline versions of a class? How do you incorporate or work around hands-on demonstrations?

Miller: Davenport operates from a philosophy that the learning outcomes should be the same for both in-seat and online classes. Many times, this means the assignments can be the same as well, but there are clearly cases where the unique nature of the online learning experience requires some changes to how a course may function (so while the overall structure of the course will be the same, some assignments may vary). Hands-on demonstrations may be replaced by recorded video demonstrations. Labs may be replaced by virtual labs or online simulations.

On the other hand, classes where students are all confined to a single location have limitations as well. For example, a global project management class with students located outside the U.S. provides an ideal opportunity to compare best practices from other nations, and a Healthcare MBA course with students in multiple states provides a great opportunity to compare regulations and policies from state to state, using real-world student experiences.

Davenport uses a standardized course development process that ensures consistent learning objectives, textbook selection and assignments (where possible), regardless of delivery modality. While there are differences, this process minimizes the differences where possible.

So basically, the online and in-seat versions of a class are nearly identical except for certain exercises that absolutely won’t work both ways. In Davenport’s case, at least, students learning from afar have nearly the same experience as students on campus. In some cases, having classmates spread across the country or world can even be an advantage.

What online programs have enjoyed the best student outcomes?

Miller: Our online student outcomes are consistent with our in-seat student outcomes. We carefully assess student success for all programs, regardless of delivery. We also have a significant portion of students who take portions of programs online. For that reason, we assess outcomes course-by-course, looking for strengths and weaknesses at that level. Students are free to switch between delivery modes (e.g. online, blended, in-seat) from semester to semester.

That’s good news. MOOCs — massive open online courses — are often associated with abysmal completion rates. This unfairly reflects on online education as a whole. According to Brian, Davenport University suffers no such penalty to student success if a class is taken online, on campus, or as a mix. When I asked if there were any outliers, any classes that simply didn’t work in an online format, his answer was simply, “No, there are not.”

Distance learning has inherent challenges, but so does all learning. Classroom interaction is a hurdle to overcome, but the flexibility offered by online classes is hard to beat. Online education carries a value that in-class learning can’t duplicate, and vice versa. What’s important is identifying your own needs so that you can make the best decisions for your own education.

Each day my Inbox is stuffed with news and marketing describing the latest educational technology revolution about to reduce the traditional higher ed system to rubble. But having seen enough of these alleged disruptors come and go (leaving no footprints, other than lost investor dollars), I’ve become far more enamored with ed-tech solutions that build on what’s right about a particular academic course or major, rather than just trying to fix everything that’s wrong.

Perhaps this is why the college degree programs that seem most suited for online delivery are those where the substance of the subject being studied fits the nature of the medium (i.e., the small screen linked through the Internet to fellow learners and educational resources around the world).

So if you are interested in an online degree in a field where format follows function, consider the following majors:

1. Computer Programming/IT

If successful online learning requires students to work independently while focused intensely on information delivered via the computer screen, it’s no accident that skills such as mastering programming languages and configuring network operating systems are so effectively and frequently taught online.

Technology also offers ways to replicate parts of the programmer’s life that don’t involve cutting code while zoned out from the rest of the world. For example, online white boards — or similar devices used by working programmers to collaborate remotely — are available for students collaborating on projects as part of online computer programming degrees. And simulation software allows students to learn from mistakes (like the typical errors one makes when configuring mission-critical networks) without breaking live vital systems.

2. Web Development and Design

Like programming courses, online classes in web development and design involve creating things for the same medium you are using as your learning platform (the World Wide Web). And while web developers may not spend as much time generating and tinkering with raw code as do other types of programmers, their work involves a similar mix of planning, designing, building, and problem solving associated with any technical or engineering field.

Because the use of existing tools, such as applications and scripts, are such an important part of web development, learning to work in a collaborative and sharing online community (like the ones developed within online degree programs) helps build skills that translate directly into success in the field. And like other STEM fields, both programming and web development lend themselves to meaningful assignments (such as examinations containing questions with correct or incorrect answers, or programming projects that either run or don’t) that can be objectively graded using automated assessment tools.

3. Business

Given that business is the number one major in the US, both on-campus and online, it is no surprise that numbers are driving investment-driven innovation in both undergraduate- and graduate-level online business degrees.

While not a STEM field, several components of the business discipline (such as accounting and finance) lend themselves to competency-based learning built around information transfer, drill, and knowledge measurement via automated assessment.

At the same time, those aspects of business education that involve human interaction and collaboration are increasingly being built around a structured case method that Harvard Business School pioneered in the 1920s. This is a methodology generating increasing interest as undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree business programs (including Harvard Business School’s new HBX program) expand their online reach.

Bonus: Introductory (101) Courses

When I interviewed Michael Roth, President of Wesleyan University, about his school’s involvement with massive open online courses (MOOCs), he wondered out loud why those courses (which have drawn online enrollments in the tens of thousands) were still considered worse than some of the huge 500+ person lecture courses taught by graduate students or adjuncts at state universities and other large institutions.

Perhaps it is the existence of a mass market for 101-level courses that has drawn attention from groups like Straighterline (which offers a range of introductory online courses that are accepted by a growing number of public and private colleges and universities) or edX (the MOOC consortium which has just released a set of “Preparing for AP” courses in subjects like physics and English language composition).

In addition to numbers driving investment (and innovation), intro-level courses also tend to be built around subjects with well-defined learning objectives, such as high-school or college-level state standards for math and language skills. And such detailed curricula provide the foundation for competency-based learning methods that translate particularly well to online teaching and learning.

Conclusion

This short list should not leave the impression that online degree programs outside these fields are worthless, or that degree programs in subjects like programming and business are universally fabulous (or the right fit for you). But if you are considering degree options that include an online component, give careful consideration to which parts of your studies are a natural fit for the small screen.

We pulled job growth and salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and compared it with degree information from the National Center for Educational Statistics to determine which fields fared best from a cost/benefit standpoint.

Of the top 50 majors in our ranking, business degrees hold a whopping 14 spots — three in the top 10. This may be why business remains one of the most popular majors in the country. But with so many specializations to choose from, how can students be sure they’re making the right choice?

We’ve updated our rankings for 2020! Check out the most recent version right here.

Based on our findings, here are the 20 business fields with the best potential ROI:

1. Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies

People assume that studying entrepreneurship automatically means you’re planning to go into business for yourself. In fact, early on, many questioned whether business schools could even teach entrepreneurship or if the required talents were innate. But today, many employers look favorably at the study of entrepreneurship. After all, companies need people who know how to grow a business.

“These days companies large and small are recognizing the value of an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ and see the unique value in hiring someone who has a demonstrated interest and commitment to entrepreneurial thinking (i.e., by pursuing a degree in the subject),” says Bruce Bachenheimer, clinical professor of management at Pace University.

Nowadays, nearly 500 schools have entrepreneurship programs. Students typically learn how to write business plans, craft elevator pitches, market ideas, and fundraise. In more recent years, Steve Blank’s Lean LaunchPad curriculum has inspired professors to ditch the business plans and have students test their real business ideas as part of their classwork. Programs are evolving and growing at a rapid rate. Graduates have taken on jobs in multinational corporations and startups big and small. Of course, many of them are also trying their hand at being their own bosses and launching businesses from scratch.

Southern New Hampshire University

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• Offering over 200 online degree programs

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2. General Business/Commerce

Business is a popular degree choice because the skills taught in these programs can be applied to just about any field. This is a generalist degree, which means that coursework will cover a little bit of everything relevant to working in today’s business world. Students usually learn about analyzing and interpreting data, basic accounting, working in teams, and communication. Graduates often work as representatives in human relations, store managers, customer service coordinators, or salespeople, to name just a few options.

3. General Business Administration and Management

Similar to the general business degree, this one has students looking more at the big picture of businesses. Usually, they are exposed to ethics, leadership, financial analysis, and global issues, in addition to the basics. Graduates might seek work as financial advisors or analysts, advertising and promotions managers, HR supervisors, or administrative services managers.

4. Marketing/Marketing Management

Marketing has changed tremendously in just the last decade, which means there’s a big need for newly minted marketers on the cutting edge of what’s happening in the industry. Nowadays, marketing is about branding, maintaining an effective social media presence, and maximizing technology. It can also be about defending a company’s reputation when in crisis. Marketing students often learn how to better understand their audience, use technology to their advantage, and make sure brands maintain visibility. Graduates might end up working in the marketing divisions of consumer packaged goods companies, on staff in advertising companies, or in public relations firms.

5. Management Information Systems

MIS is the designation for people who help firms manage investments in equipment, personnel, and services. Essentially, students in these programs learn about business concepts and technology, so that they can use computer systems to solve business problems. Since technology is changing at a rapid pace, this degree is appealing to employers. Database administrator and system analyst are among the career paths graduates might seek.

6. Accounting and Finance

Since death and taxes are the only guarantees in life, accountants are often in demand. Students of accounting and finance study how to understand financial statements, navigate finance laws, and manage budgets. Of course, they learn how to properly file taxes, too. Many graduates end up working for accounting firms or in the accounting departments of companies.

“Students view training in finance as giving them a broad set of thinking/analytical skills and solid development of their decision making abilities,” says Sreenivas Kamma, chair of the Department of Finance at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. “These skills allow them to quickly adjust and work in many other areas of business.”

7. Accounting and Business Management

Students pursuing this major will likely experience much of the same coursework as those who study accounting and finance. The difference is there will be more attention given to leadership, creating strategies and visions, and balancing the bottom line with doing well for the greater community.

8. Retail Management

What is most striking about this major is the comparatively low average salary. What makes it shine despite that is the sheer volume of opportunities available to graduates in this field. With a wide range of related positions, and a relatively low average tuition cost, it’s no wonder this degree ranks among the top 10. Students of retail management learn how to make stores hum, manage personnel, offer customer service, and find ways to attract customers.

9. Operations Management and Supervision

Operations managers are the people who keep a company efficient and lean. Their job is to assess quality, systems, and product and service development to make sure everything is working cohesively. Students of operations management can expect to take courses such as project management, integrated costs and schedule control, and decision modeling and analysis, along with business basics. Some might also investigate the implications of a global economy on operations, supply chain management, and production. Grads often start in line associate positions with designated responsibilities, such as monitoring inventory, and can work their way up to plant manager, for instance.

10. International Business/Trade/Commerce

International business relates to the commercial transactions that take place between governments and businesses in different countries. Students in this field study business basics from a cross-cultural perspective. Top programs often have students studying, interning, or at least traveling abroad. Courses covering cultural habits and foreign languages are usually a requirement. Jobs run the gamut and could include managing imports and exports, advising on foreign currency investment, or consulting on management abroad.

11. Management Science

Management science is the key to solving complex business problems. Experts in the field use math and science to plan systems and processes to keep companies running smoothly. Of course, students must tackle high-level math and science courses to prep for such a career. Graduates could seek jobs that have them optimizing an assembly line, forecasting trends, or scheduling flights for airlines.

12. Public Administration

Most business degrees have people clamoring for jobs in the private sector. This degree is for those who are interested in applying business ideals to the public or nonprofit sector. Beyond business, these programs are going to cover advocacy, fiscal administration, and leadership through the lens of the public sector. Graduates usually pursue jobs in national, state, or local government or at a nonprofit organization.

13. International Marketing

The coursework for international marketing is similar to that of general marketing. The difference is students in these programs are going to look at everything through the lens of the global marketplace. Much like those studying international business, they are going to have to focus on the cultural intricacies and languages of different regions of the world. Graduates might seek positions that have them traveling abroad or even living there as international marketing staff with the possibility of moving up to managerial roles.

14. Credit Management

Somebody has to keep people honest by having them pay their bills. That’s the job of credit managers, who collect payments from customers on behalf of companies or financial institutions. What is striking about this career choice is the stark distinction between the average annual tuition cost of $4,733 and the average salary of nearly $70,000. While some students opt to major in business or finance and then pursue a career in credit management, others go the specialized route, which usually includes courses such as credit law, selling practices, and money management.

15. General Finance

Finance is a popular choice among business students because of the allure of Wall Street and other financial districts. In school, students usually study analysis of economic and financial data, as well as risk management. Many graduates pursue posts as analysts or in the finance departments of multinational corporations. They might also consider careers as personal financial advisors or in sales for financial institutions.

“Most companies have traditionally considered finance to be the science of making informed business decisions with available market and company information,” says Eric Johnson, associate director for Professional Development in Graduate Career Services at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. “Our recruiters often say that the most successful hires are the ones who are the first in their hiring class to explain how a dollar flows from a customer through their business practices and into the bottom line. Those skills are best obtained through a finance degree.”

16. Small Business Administration/Management

Not everyone wants to be a cog in a multinational conglomerate. Some people prefer to work for smaller businesses or even mom-and-pop type shops. In that case, they might opt to study small business. In these programs, students are exposed to many of the same courses they might have in an entrepreneurship program, but often the issues are scaled down to apply to small businesses. Applying finance, accounting, HR, and other basics to a small business are among the subjects usually covered in the curriculum. Grads might start their own businesses or work for small or family businesses.

17. Accounting

Students of accounting usually study tax law, budgets, and financial statements. They often perform work similar to those who study finance and business management along with accounting, but might experience a slightly more specialized, niche program. Many of these graduates work for accounting firms or within accounting departments at companies. Some offer personal accounting services to the public.

18. Organizational Leadership

Some people might call this business’s “touchy-feely” degree, but it’s really the wave of the future. Modern organizations are looking to do more than meet the bottom line. Today’s executives want to answer the Millennials’ call and run their companies more personably. Enter students of organizational leadership, who study emotional intelligence and how to get the most out of your employees. Human resources, team building, boosting morale, and handling crisis are often among the subjects tackled. Jobs could include working on staff in a human resources department, training and development organization, or even an institution of higher learning.

19. Marketing Research

Companies are overflowing with data, thanks in part to all the strides in technology. As a result, they need people who understand that data and can translate it into sound and profitable policies, products, and services. That’s where those in marketing research step in. They study market conditions to determine the success of products and services before they launch, so their employers avoid costly errors. Communications, software tools, and marketing management are often on the course roster.

20. Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations

Students who pursue this degree study business finance, marketing research, organizational behavior, promotions and campaigns, and marketing management. Many graduates find careers in advertising and public relations. While marketing and the practice of convincing consumers to buy a product or service is the focus of such programs, students are typically exposed to general business theories, too.

In an effort to help prospective students get the most out of their educational investment, OnlineDegrees.com recently published the Degree & Career Match-Up Tool, an interactive tool that shows which majors offer the biggest “bang for your buck” in terms of job opportunities and tuition costs.

Online education has been around for some time, yet it continues to face the same skepticism it always has. People question whether students learning from a distance can get the same quality education as those in traditional, face-to-face courses, unaware of how much e-learning has evolved over the years.

Online programs are available at many of the better-known schools in the nation, and are nearly identical to their classroom counterparts in terms of quality and content. Online students often take the same courses as on-campus students, complete the same assignments, and interact with teachers and classmates in much the same way. With the help of virtual classrooms, streaming video, and web conferencing, online courses have become a viable option for students who cannot regularly attend campus classes. Both formats offer their own advantages and disadvantages to students depending on their particular situation and learning style.

For more on how online courses stack up against campus-based classes, we asked faculty members from Goucher College in Baltimore about their first-hand experiences with distance education. Their answers highlight just how far e-learning has come since its inception, as well as the many benefits of an online degree.

As a teacher or faculty member, what are the biggest advantages of online class, and how do you work with students to overcome the biggest challenges inherent in distance learning?

Thomas Walker, PhD, Director and Faculty Member, Master of Arts in Environmental Studies:

Online instruction offers some key advantages over face-to-face classroom teaching, along with several challenges. One of the advantages is that students have more and longer response time in interaction with each other. Although not all students will take advantage of the time, nor perhaps see it as an advantage at all, some students use the time to be better prepared and more thoughtful, and it is evident in more careful writing. In some cases, for instance, we know that students do occasionally work with editors or ask friends and family members to edit their writing. That same advantage applies to faculty. What may be lost in spontaneity is made up in thoughtfulness and the ability sometimes to do a little research or fact check before posting a response.

Another advantage to online learning is the possibility for students to draw upon local resources where they live for their coursework. They may have greater familiarity with the community and its issues as well as opportunity for engagement and first-hand observation. In a class I taught on community organization, I encouraged students to study an issue in their community. One student was able to attend community meetings and rallies that would have been unavailable to her had she either chosen another project or not been in situ.

As for challenges to online learning, there are many for our faculty. Probably the biggest one is the ability to see the advantages. Many of our faculty come to online teaching with more conventional, classroom teaching experience and do not take full advantage or explore the differences and possibilities with the online platforms and technology. Indeed, the technology itself can be daunting and challenging. Simply learning the essentials can be demanding and time consuming. The other challenge for faculty is often building enough content into the class before the class starts. In some instances material gets uploaded just in time, or faculty will opt for a more synchronous style of teaching for the presentation of content, effectively underutilizing the online platform.

Ramona Baker, Director and Faculty Member, Master of Arts in Arts Administration Program:

In the Master of Arts in Arts Administration (MAAA) program, we work to overcome the biggest challenges inherent in distance learning by making certain that everyone (students and faculty) has spent time together face-to-face before they are in an online class together. We believe that this has been enormously beneficial to all. It has allowed us to have fewer misinterpretations or misunderstanding that can occur when you don’t know the person behind the voice or the post.

Linda Bruce, MA, Director of Distance Learning, Welch Center for Graduate and Professional Studies:

Technology Orientation is an online mini-course I teach — a “welcome to distance learning” class for new students that helps them prepare to succeed in graduate studies at Goucher. Each time the course runs, I ask students to post reflections in our discussion board about embarking on their e-learning program. What most excites you?, I ask. Do you have any concerns? What advantages will this experience bring to your life? I enjoy reading their responses, and I like giving feedback, too, which can help allay trepidations about potential challenges ahead, and can also strengthen the sense of community. Sometimes I provide insights gleaned from my own journey as a distance learner in an online master’s program, when I experienced first-hand some of many advantages and challenges of learning at a distance. Ultimately, I hope the course convinces students that the technology systems supporting their studies will far more often be their friend than their foe. I also hope the course helps students gain confidence in Goucher’s commitment to quality instruction. Student success and program quality must be intricately tied in distance learning, in some ways perhaps more so than with face-to-face instruction — although rarely do we find “traditional” classes not somehow enhanced with technology.

Here is a sampling of comments from students about challenges they expect to face in studying online, and about rewards they look forward to reaping:

• As this is my first time doing something like this, I’m excited about how learning will work. After coming from four years of going to classrooms and learning in that fashion, I can’t wait to try this new way. My only concerns will be the difficulties of online courses — like the separation between students and teachers. But this program specifically will make my life better, I will be more prepared to do what I want to do in life and actually focus myself to the specific thing I want to undertake in my career. As for it being online, well, the advantage is that I can start or continue my life while also being a student…
• This is my first time for distance learning. Once I get some of the technical issues down pat, I’m sure it will be great. I’m all the way across the country in Seattle, so it’s great to have the freedom that online learning will provide. Looking forward to it.
• I’m only a little concerned about the online class meetings with Webex being at times that won’t interfere too much with work, especially due to the time difference. Which reminds me, I still have to test that pesky headset for viability. Cheers!
• Having a job, husband, children, and pets makes my attending anything but an online college close to impossible. Yet, obtaining my degree online seemed almost too good to be true. My biggest concerns when looking into online education were regarding the legitimacy & quality of the education. I’ve heard of people obtaining a “mail-order” degree, or losing lots of money in pursuit of an online degree to realize too late that they were taken advantage of. Based upon the limited interaction I’ve had with faculty and students, I feel confident in my choice in Goucher College, and I look forward to the limited residency that is just days away!!!
• It is incredibly refreshing to read that among the previous batch of entering students, the distance-learning model was a new, yet welcomed concept for them as well. The traditional on-campus experience certainly has its benefits at times. However, as years have passed since completing my undergraduate studies, I am looking forward to putting my education “into action” while simultaneously building my career. The advantage of having all of my peers doing the same, and from various locations/disciplines, is that my networking pool is rich and diverse. I am a little nervous about relying on technology, because it is not always my friend.
• What excites me most is knowing that my fellow peers are coming from all over the U.S. and the world, even teachers. They come with their own unique experiences and backgrounds that will not only add to this program, but add to my overall experience as well. I am concerned with my own time management and not being able to always see people face to face. Sometimes technology can be scary and when you send something in you hope that it truly makes it there because it’s not palpable. I think this experience will help define my next steps in life as well as create a great network of peers that I am excited to get to know and learn from. Technology can be a challenge, but it’s the future and how blessed are we to be able to conduct a graduate program from our very own homes, it’s pretty neat to live in this day and age.

How different are the online and offline versions of a class? How do you incorporate or work around hands-on demonstrations?

Michael Shepard, PhD, Faculty Member, Master of Arts in Environmental Studies, and Master of Arts in Cultural Sustainability:

I have taught classes in online, hybrid, limited residency and classroom-based formats. Each instructional modality has its advantages and opportunities. F2F courses have the obvious asset of direct contact with students to build community, trust and construct your class presence. In my fully online courses I accomplish these same goals using lecture capture, live meetings, text based discussion and newer tools like VoiceThread. In the online environment this process takes a little longer, but can actually result in greater class cohesion in the long run. This may sound surprising, but you cannot be successful in my classes without very active and consistent participation. In a F2F course there is more room to be shy or an observer. My students are expected to make regular live presentations via WebEx on readings, projects and research. We also use wikis to construct multimedia projects and conduct peer evaluation. With creativity, there is no educational objective I cannot accomplish online. For my students that work, have families and live across the country, online education provides access to their future.

Thomas Walker, PhD, Director and Faculty Member, Master of Arts in Environmental Studies:

I have had the experience of converting classes both from online to residency format and from residency to online format. One of these classes — Environment, Culture, and Community — I taught in both formats. This class was actually quite similar in both formats. The topics remained roughly the same. In both we utilized student led discussions, films and videos, and many of the same assignments, but with fewer lectures and more seminar style discussion in the residency class. I believe the student-led presentations and discussions were more challenging for students in the residency format, requiring greater facilitation and impromptu discussion.

In the other class — Community Organizing — there were much greater differences between residency and online formats. In its residency format, this class made good use of workshops and hands-on activities, using considerable class time and resulting in a more practical or applied course. In the online version, students learned more about the history and theory of organizing in very different contexts, including labor and environmental justice. The work-shopping component of the online class was covered far more expediently and students gained some hands-on experience by identifying and working with an issue and/or an organization in their home community or a community of their choice. Developing community engagement opportunities takes some advance work and students taking this class may not be in a position or ready for community engagement, so while this class offers some real-world experience, it lacks the concise modeling and pedagogical role playing of the workshops in the residency. Developing more effective and transparent community engagement is a goal for all our classes, online or face to face.

What online programs have enjoyed the best student outcomes?

Richard Wagner, AIA, Director and Faculty Member, Master of Arts in Historic Preservation:

While we tend to think of online programs as a 21st century phenomena, they are only the latest version of distance education stretching all the way back to the Chautauquas of the mid-nineteenth century. Originally the distance between faculty and student was bridged by pen, ink, paper and the postal service. In the 1920s, over the air radio universities connected students and faculty together, with faculty lecturing to large numbers of students at set times, and the students completing and mailing in assignments and quizzes. In the 1950s, television universities, with the added advantage of students being able to view faculty, and particularly in science classes, experiments, became the latest means to connect learners to instructors over great distances. Online internet programs has moved the interaction between faculty and students closer to the classroom experience by providing two way synchronous communication, as well as asynchronous learning. To answer the question of which online programs enjoy the best student outcome, one need only look at the research into distance learning from the late 19th century to date which concludes that the mature, goal directed student performs the best at a distance.

It’s a wonderful thing to be able to dream. And there’s always that dreamy kid – the one who can’t stop putting pen, pencil or crayon to paper – the one who wants to be an artist. If this reminds about your younger self (or your child) read on and see how Oscar Wilde was quite wrong when he said “All art is quite useless”.

The ancient Greek word ‘techne’ means art or skill. It is widely understood to be the parent word of technology – a term that is completely distinct from art as we know it today. However, the essence still stands – art can be functional. And where there’s utility, more often than not, there’s employment. In fact, a 2018 survey of employees of Local Arts Agencies (LAAs) found that 62 percent reported pay increases in the last 12 months and a majority received non-cash employment benefits like medical insurance, retirement savings plans, paid time off, flexible scheduling, and professional development which is similar to working in most other fields.

Choosing to study art can mean facing raised eyebrows when you mention your major. However, with communication and marketing becoming ever more visual, this attitude is slowly changing. While the wages you earn can vary depending on what your field is, where you work and other such factors, one thing that won’t change is that you can follow your passion. How many people in other fields can say that!

Online degrees in art and design can help you turn your dreams into a career. However, not all degrees are made equal. So we’ve had look at the different online art degrees available and the careers you can have with each and ranked them according to their employability, earning potential, and availability. Our analysis is based on the latest employment, salary and education data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). You can read about our methodology at the bottom of this page. Meanwhile, here are our top picks for online art degrees!

Southern New Hampshire University

• Some of the nation’s most affordable tuition rates, from a private, nonprofit, NEASC accredited university
• Qualified students with 2.5 GPA and up may receive up to $20K in grants & scholarships
• Multiple term start dates throughout the year. 24/7 online classroom access
• Offering over 200 online degree programs

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1. Graphic Design

Given the Internet’s insatiable appetite for images, page layout, and information-rich graphics; it’s no accident that graphic design programs stay at the top of the list of degrees that can lead to well-paying jobs based on a reasonable investment in educational dollars. And designers are still needed to generate the images and put together the page layouts for printed magazines, newspapers, advertisements, and marketing collateral that don’t seem to have disappeared in our digital age. Most online graphic design degree programs involve learning specialized software allowing designers to marry technology and art in their work.

The BLS reports that many graphic designers work independently, although some may be employed design firms as well. Those working independently need to have a go-getter attitude to land the contracts that pay the bills. Also being able to keep up with the latest trends and technology can be the key to success – apart from talent, of course.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $70,204
• Projected Job Growth (2018-2028): 8.28%
• Projected Employment: 608,000
• Number of Online Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 25

2. Digital Arts

The multimedia industry is booming. Research by Deloitte shows that augmented reality is expected to be enabled on more than 3.4 billion devices across the world in 2020. And that’s just one area you can work in with an online degree in digital arts. Digital arts cover a whole array of artistic techniques that involve computers – from digital photography to 3D modeling. You may also have the opportunity to broaden your skillset (and so increase your chances of getting a job) through courses in animation, audio production, and computer science.

Given its broad nature, a degree program in this area provides access to both higher- and lower-paying jobs, which is why those looking to this major should pay careful attention to where they want to concentrate to ensure the skills they learn match the specific design field they would like to enter.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $64,170
• Projected Job Growth (2018-2028): 5.5%
• Projected Employment: 742900
• Number of Online Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 9

3. Music, General

Bob Marley had it right when he said, “One good thing about music is, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” As fun as listening to music can be, studying the subject is definitely a serious matter. And it can be expensive too! Thankfully, there are plenty of online degrees in music that can help you reduce some of the expenses associated with attending a music school. Additionally, talented musicians with a taste for teaching can always supplement their income by offering private music lessons.

This broad subject can offer plenty of specializations – from a particular form of music or a type of instrument to arranging and producing it. For those musically inclined individuals who don’t want to perform or compose, you can even find degrees that help you understand the business behind music.

Although competition for jobs in the field can be tough, a 2019 report by Goldman Sachs estimates that the music industry will hit the $41 billion mark globally by 2030.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $60,320
• Projected Job Growth (2018-2028): 7.05%
• Projected Employment: 1279300
• Number of Online Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 8

4. Game and Interactive Media Design

We’ve come a long way since Atari. Video games are now a serious business (as anyone who has had to sit through the end credits of a game to get to the final scene will know) with hundreds of people working on big budget games. And we mean big! Grand Theft Auto V cost Rockstar Games a whopping $265 million to make – but no fear, it’s estimated they made around $6 billion from it. But it’s not just the big budget games that make money. Variety reports that mobile games generated more revenue than PC or console games in 2018.

As someone involved in the making of games, you may be able to let your imagination run wild as you create fantastical worlds or mini escapes for people who aren’t in such an exciting field as you.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $69,090
• Projected Job Growth (2018-2028): 9.9%
• Projected Employment: 340,000
• Number of Online Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 13

5. Cinematography and Film/Video Production

With YouTube and similar sites pulling in millions of videos from across the globe every day, those skilled with production and cinematography no longer need to head to Hollywood to pursue their visions. And while cat videos may still be produced by a 12-year-old child with a cell phone, professional crafting of promotional videos and feature films still require people trained in the increasingly technical field of video and film production.

The BLS expects a favorable outlook for those looking to work behind-the-scenes in the film industry with the demand for producers, directors, camera operators and editors growing due to an increase in internet streaming platforms. Online cinematography and film production degree programs can allow you to gain a range of skills that allow you to combine ideas, stories and technology and bring them to life for audiences.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $64,715
• Projected Job Growth (2018-2028): 11.68%
• Projected Employment: 354,500
• Number of Online Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 8

6. Art/Art Studies, General

This cross disciplinary program can help you gain foundational knowledge in many subjects art-related including studio art, art history, performing arts, and writing among others. You may also be able to pick a specialization once you have decided which aspect of art you enjoy the most and orient your career in that direction.

If this sounds quite general, don’t worry. Graduates of online art studies degree programs may be able to find employment in places like museums, studios, theatres, and schools, to name a few. So if you’re torn between performing on Broadway and exhibiting your paintings at the Tate, an art studies program may help you decide.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $49,580
• Projected Job Growth (2018-2028): 5.20%
• Projected Employment: 1,411,300
• Number of Online Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 6

7. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects

Once upon a time, just like the beginning of many a Disney cartoon, every image needed to create a moving picture was drawn by hand. Now, the artist’s sketch pad and design table have been supplemented with a wide variety of technology-based drawing tools. And even designs that might begin life on paper will likely end up being realized as digital images requiring animators to master sophisticated technologies in order to pursue their craft.

Animators may find employment in the film and television industry creating special effects (VFX), and beyond. The scale of this demand is immense all over the world. In fact, PRNewswire reports that the total value of the global animation and VFX industry to hit $270 billion in 2020. Online animation and VFX degrees can give you the skills you need to build a robust portfolio and specialize in a specific type of animation or drawing that can give you a competitive edge.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $72,520
• Projected Job Growth (2018-2028): 10.4%
• Projected Employment: 81,300
• Number of Online Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 7

8. Commercial and Advertising Art

If the word ‘commercial’ leaves a sour taste in your mouth, think about it this way – the advertising industry is always going to need talent to create illustrations that resonate with consumers. It can help pay the bills while still giving you a creative outlet. As the College Board says, individuals working in this field, “connect the dots between art and business by using their artistic talents to create ads and other sales tools.”

Just because commercial and advertising artists have found a practical outlet for their creativity, doesn’t mean they are disconnected from the rest of the art world. Famous artists like Andy Warhol and Norman Rockwell were known to dabble in the advertising industry too. Online degrees in commercial and advertising art can help you gain the business knowledge and artistic skills you need to succeed in the field.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $60,783
• Projected Job Growth (2018-2028): 5.53%
• Projected Employment: 334,100
• Number of Online Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 5

Arts degrees (online or otherwise) are an option best suited to those who value the opportunity to be paid for their creativity vs. those who simply want a paycheck at the end of the month. Oh, and don’t forget that some genuine talent is required for success in the arts, especially in an era when an impressive portfolio and work experience still beats a diploma when it comes to landing work.

You don’t have to be struggling artist. You can make your talent pay. Click here to explore more online arts and design degrees that can help you find your inner muse and bring home the bacon.

The job market for healthcare has changed since 2015! Check out our latest version of this article: The Best Online Healthcare Degrees 2018. These top online degree programs in healthcare present you with the best opportunities to make the most of your education.

Recently, OnlineDegrees.com also conducted a study to determine which degree fields provide the best “bang for your buck” based on a variety of cost-benefit factors. The findings were used to create our Degree and Career Match-Up Tool — a searchable database of every major included in the analysis — as well as a top 50 ranking of the most promising degrees of 2015. Of the 50 majors that made the list, nearly half were in medical and health care fields.

It should come as no surprise that as people live longer and new fields of medicine and avenues for health care delivery open up, associated job opportunities are on the upswing. And new medical technologies mean that many of these jobs reward specialized training with high-paying salaries.

We compared expected numbers of job openings and average salaries provided by Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Statistics and Outlook reports to information from the Institute for Educational Sciences’ National Center for Educational Statistics in order to determine which degree programs lead to the best ratio of high pay versus investment in tuition and time.

The following list provides details on the best-performing medicine and health care degrees from that study, to help those interested in pursuing professional advancement in the medical field.

As you review our ranking, remember that this analysis is based on historical information which can change, especially in a fast-moving field like health care. Also, remember that the degree classifications used below include categories that might overlap and not necessarily correspond to how majors are listed by certain schools.

With all this in mind, here are the 20 health care fields that offer the best potential return on investment for students:

1. Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy

Majoring in osteopathy will introduce you to an alternative medical technique that uses tissue and bone manipulation as a form of treatment and disease prevention. (Note: The high average salary in this field may reflect the fact that some practitioners also have advanced degrees — including MDs — in traditional medicine.)

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $176,530
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 16.65%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $9,180
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 25

2. Dental Hygiene

Dental hygienist is the highest-ranking medical support position in this study, a major/job that involves performing dental hygiene procedures, identifying patients’ dental health issues, and educating patients on appropriate oral maintenance.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $78,070
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 34.7%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $10,570
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 404

3. Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Studying ultrasound/sonography technology can prepare you for a career operating and maintaining the vital diagnostic tools used in obstetrics and other medical fields needing non-invasive investigation of tissues and organs.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $75,720
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 41.05%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $10,270
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 360

4. Occupational Therapist Assistant

While training to become an occupational therapist (OT) may still require an advanced degree, occupational therapy assistants — who frequently implement the physical therapy plans developed by OTs — are well paid and in demand, with a far lower cost of entry into the field.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $70,150
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 39.35%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $8,486
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 176

5. Medical Radiologic Technology/Science

Majoring in radiation therapy will teach you how to implement the radiation treatments prescribed by oncologists, preparing you to manage therapies, patient relations, record keeping, and data collection associated with radiation-based treatment programs.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $73,123
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 26.8%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $11,512
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 455

6. Surgical Technology

Before the surgeon enters the operating room, those trained as surgical technologists have set the stage: ensuring all tools and equipment are in place and ready to be used, and supporting doctors throughout a surgical procedure.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $63,875
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 32.95%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $8,163
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 670

7. Health Information/Medical Records Administration

Studying health care records administration will prepare you to create and maintain the record-keeping systems that ensure health care providers are informed and in compliance with complex medical privacy laws and internal/external regulations.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $90,940
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 23.2%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $14,925
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 164

8. Aerospace Physiology and Medicine

If you’re looking for the most specialized degree/profession in this study, working on physiology and medicine applied to those who spend large amounts of time in the sky or outer space is for you! (In case you’re wondering, that one school offering this degree is run by the US Air Force.)

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $90,807
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 12.83%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $0
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 1

9. Emergency Medical Technology

While the number of places to study emergency medicine is large, the need for people in this life-saving profession — which increasingly involves understanding and using complex, front-line medical technology — is even larger.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $58,150
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 29.6%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $7,192
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 1,113

10. Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician

So who processes all those samples our doctors (and occasional employers) send off to “the lab?” Those trained as medical lab technicians, a rapidly growing (and reasonably well-paid) behind-the-scenes medical support profession.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $61,500
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 32.9%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $8,322
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 324

Keep in mind that salaries noted above are calculated by averaging lower entry-level salaries with the higher pay received by seasoned professionals (and all job levels in between). Similarly, average tuition costs will likely not translate to your chosen school charging exactly that amount. But comparing the statistics associated with one profession relative to another can help you determine if a particular academic pursuit is a smart bet on your future.

Speaking of the future, there is a good chance that a large chunk of yours will be spent working long hours in whatever field you choose to study. So, in addition to using the kind of cost-benefit analysis contained in this article to inform your choice, don’t forget to make sure whatever career path you follow involves work you will look forward to doing years or even decades after your last tuition bill gets paid.

Here are 10 more health care degrees that made our list of best bets for 2015:

11. Health/Health Care Administration/Management

12. Respiratory Care Therapy

13. Health/Medical Physics

14. Medicine

15. Pharmacy

16. Chiropractic

17. Dental Assisting

18. Dentistry

19. Health Unit Manager

20. Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management

Online degrees have become an increasingly viable alternative to traditional, campus-based degree programs. And thanks to the flexibility and convenience of online learning, as well as growing support among universities, more and more students are considering online options when pursuing their degree.

But before signing up for any online program, students need to be sure they are ready for the rigors of distance education. We asked faculty members from several prominent universities what students should consider before earning a degree online.

What advice would you give to students looking to earn their degree online?

Brian Harfe, Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, & Jennifer K. Smith, Director of Development and Course Production for UF Online at the University of Florida

Convenience and lower cost make earning an online degree attractive. And with institutions continually expanding the available programs, there’s no reason not to. Or is there? Your answers to the following questions can help you decide if you’re ready to leap into an online degree program.

– Am I motivated?

Online education may be convenient, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t ube trequire hard work. In fact, today’s courses take full advantage of Internet resources to help students get the most out of their classes. In order for this to work, students must participate fully in their own learning. This can take some time, so you need to be sure that you are fully committed to getting your degree.

– Can I keep to a schedule?

Programs will vary according to the flexibility needed. Investigate how the courses are delivered and the general deadline requirements. Can you dedicate time each week to do the coursework? If the program requires you to attend live virtual classes, does your work/home/personal life allow for you to attend set meeting times? Every online program will expect you to make steady progress towards your degree. Can you consistently do the work to reach that goal?

– Is the program nationally accredited?

Accreditation means that your program has undergone quality review by an external review process. Getting your degree from an accredited program with national standing will help to ensure that employers and graduate schools recognize the quality of your degree.

– Can I get financial aid or scholarships?

Just as with traditional programs, financial help may be available. Some types of financial aid require full-time enrollment of 12 credits or more, which may be challenging for people who are trying to juggle home and work with classes. Check with the institution to see what options might be available to you.

Use courses that don’t cost anything as a “trial run”

It can be challenging to keep up with your studies in the midst of work and family. For those returning to school after being away for some time, study skills may be rusty. Consider taking one or more courses offered at no cost, such as those offered through Coursera.org. Such a course can help you “warm up” as well as give you realistic sense of what you can handle and whether an online degree is right for you.

Mary Oriol, Associate Professor and Interim Director of School of Nursing at Loyola University New Orleans

I would advise students to know the needs of their facilities, their personal goals and finding a program that aligns with those aspirations. There are many online programs available, but what is important is finding one where the faculty are engaged and experienced with real-world situations. Consequently, students can feel confident in their opportunity to grow and apply what they are learning. That is a cornerstone of our methodologies at Loyola University New Orleans; we challenge our students to change their thinking and broaden that to include ideas and concepts like transformational leadership, evidence-based practice and global aspects of health care.

Lisa L. Templeton, Executive Director of Oregon State University Extended Campus (Ecampus)

Do your research. Find the right program and institution that meets your needs, whether you are a working professional, stay-at-home parent, serving in the military or simply looking to finish what you started. And be active in your learning experience. There are resources and people available to help you feel connected to the university even if you are thousands of miles away. Our distance students constantly tell us how pleased they are with the amount and quality of interaction they have with instructors and classmates.

Renata Engel, Associate Vice Provost for Online Programs, & Karen Pollack, Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Online and Blended Programs at Penn State University

Pardon the pun, but I would advise them to do their homework! Look into the online programs they are interested in. What is the reputation of their programs and the quality of their faculty? What kinds of support services do they offer? Will the degree help you advance in your current career or start a new one? Will you be embraced as an equal and invaluable member of their learning community? If you can answer “yes” to these questions, and you are prepared to make the commitment and do the work, then you are well positioned to achieve your goals and do great things in this world.

Cheating. It’s certainly not a new practice. Many students do it, and in many different ways. As the popularity of online education grows, we cannot help but wonder if the freedom to take classes without a professor in the room makes online degree programs fertile grounds for cheaters. Fortunately, schools are on it.

How Do Online Students Cheat?

There are a variety of popular forms of cheating. Some quite inventive; while others may be more traditional. A study by 2017 Kessler International revealed that 76 percent of the students said they had copied text from somebody else’s assignments. Slightly more (79 percent) admitted to plagiarism from internet sources. Around 72 percent said they’d used mobile devices to cheat, while 42 percent purchased custom term papers or essays online. And 28 percent said they’d had a “service” take their online classes for them.

In 2016, 30 students enrolled in online degree programs in University of Iowa faced disciplinary actions for cheating by having other people take their exams, according to the Gazette. Cheating scandals like this teach us that no institution is entirely cheater-free. This is true of both online degree programs and classroom-based programs, though methods vary.

In Texas Christian University, 12 students were allegedly suspended after using an app called Quizlet for their final exams. Quizlet is a free app used for making online quizzes and flash cards. Quizlet is quite popular among students, and some even go overboard in uploading questions from real exam for other students to find.

Janice Karlene, who used to teach business, online and off, at LaGuardia Community College and Thomas Edison State College, told OnlineDegrees.com that she has known traditional students to photocopy final exams and post them online, text in the room, and even open browsers to consult with Professor Google during exams. Online students, on the other hand, may use unauthorized books during tests, share information with other students (in cases where students do not complete tests synchronously), and even pay people to do their work.

“Technology changes how cheating is done rather than making it easier,” said Karlene.

Craig Markovitz, Ph.D., founder of Viking Tutors, is inclined to agree. “Online courses and exams certainly make it easier for dishonest students to cheat,” said Markovitz. “Without someone present to monitor and discourage these practices, some students don’t understand the consequences or ramifications of their cheating.”

Schools are no longer taking these matters lightly, especially online schools who are still working to establish their credibility and prove their programs are just as effective as classroom-based counterparts. Many schools have been quick to respond to cheating, and in developing ways to prevent it.

How colleges are working toward preventing cheating

Online colleges have implemented a number of tactics designed to minimize (and eventually eliminate) cheating. Methods range from simple, old-fashioned tactics to those so high-tech they would pique James Bond’s envy. Among them:

• Proctored exams — Many schools require students to report to campus or official off-site testing centers for proctored exams. Proctors are typically required to check students’ IDs, stay alert and move around the exam room, and immediately tend to any suspicious conduct by the students. Still, reporting to testing centers can be a challenge, especially for online students. Enter online proctoring, also known as eproctoring. With the advent of artificial intelligence, online proctoring has come a long way. Equipped with machine learning to prevent fraud and cheating on exams, the advanced technology is helping to create an exam environment that is more secure.
• Keystroke verification software — Keystroke verification software is perhaps one of the most common tech-based cheater prevention methods. The approach is simple: Students type a short phrase, which is then analyzed by a software program. The program learns students’ typing speed, rhythm and other characteristics, like how long they tend to press certain keys. Before a student can turn in homework or take a test, they must submit a new typing sample to ensure it exhibits the same trends.
• Text-matching software — While these tools are useful in upholding standards of academic integrity, they are not 100 percent accurate in finding various forms of plagiarism. Plagiarism software such as CopyLeaks, and Unicheck are being used by colleges across the country. Yale University introduced limited access to students of a plagiarism detection system called Turnitin. This pilot program allows students to evaluate their own work for plagiarism.
• Variable testing — Students tend to use study material sharing sites, such as CourseHero, to share answers and methods. While harmless in intentions, tools like these do provide a temptation to students who are looking for exam answers and want to cheat. To prevent this type of cheating, online courses find it useful to make quiz banks and randomize the questions so that students have a more difficult time in sharing answers. They also change assessments (activities or projects where students demonstrate an application of their learning) each semester or create three or four versions that they rotate throughout the year to prevent cheating.
• Honor codes — Honor codes are perhaps the simplest methods of deterring cheating in online courses, though they work only indirectly. According to the Texas State University, students who break this code can be dismissed from the program and may not receive their certificates of completion. The students are typically required to sign an honor code at the beginning of each program vowing that they would not cheat.

Cheating to earn a degree. Who loses?

Online and traditional schools will surely continue to develop and refine anti-cheating initiatives, but no system is perfect, and some offenders are relentless. The study by Kessler International also highlights that among 300 students who attend classes on campus as well as online, more than half (54 percent) thought cheating was OK, and some suggested that it was (believe it or not!) even necessary to stay competitive. Among those who acknowledged cheating, 97 percent said they’d gotten away with it.

“Dishonest students can always find a way to beat the system,” warns Markovitz, recalling Craigslist ads from anonymous posters offering to complete online programs — from start to finish — on students’ behalf. Still, those who skirt the rules and opt out of vital work are bound to lose eventually. “Students who cheat, whether in the classroom or online, are only doing themselves a disservice,” he says.

In conclusion, for any online degree program, upholding academic integrity is of utmost importance. To build and maintain the credibility of the exams that these programs conduct, it’s extremely important to prevent cheating at any cost.

The number of students with disabilities attending college is growing, and so are the share of schools accommodating them. According to a 2011 report from the U.S. Department of Education, 88 percent of colleges currently enroll students with a wide range of disabilities, including learning, physical, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities. Today, colleges can make a number of accommodations for these students in the classroom, like extended testing periods, instructor-provided notes, and adaptive equipment and technology. But what about online colleges? What types of accommodations do they afford this demographic, and are they effective? The short answer: Many, but their effectiveness depends very much on the student.

Benefits for a wide range of disabilities

Students with disabilities can face a number of challenges in college, and without the right support, some may seem insurmountable. According to a 2014 report from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, about 41 percent of students with learning disabilities complete college, compared to 52 percent of the general population. One way schools and organizations can bolster these numbers is to expand online education. Dr. Chester Goad, a university administrator who works directly with students with disabilities, former congressional staffer, and former president of the Tennessee Association on Higher Education Disabilities, sees a number of ways online learning can help these students succeed, though how much depends largely on the disability in question.

“Students who have certain physical, chronic, mobility issues can certainly benefit from the convenience of taking courses online, but for some other disabilities, like vision or hearing issues, accessibility can be more challenging,” says Goad, who also recently co-authored Tennessee’s successful “Dyslexia is Real” bill. “Higher Ed institutions are jumping on board and the technology is getting better and better, but often the problem lies with the publishers or creators of texts, and online platforms.”

The following are just a few examples of the ways students with disabilities can benefit from logging on, rather than reporting, to class:

• Learning disabilities. One of the primary benefits of online education for students with learning disabilities is the ability to work at their own pace, reviewing materials and video lectures as needed. For students with certain types of disabilities, like dyslexia and visual processing disorder, the ability to manipulate digital texts — by, say, changing the font style or size — can help them process and retain written information more effectively than they would viewing PowerPoint presentations in class or reading through traditional textbooks. Dyslexia Consultants Editor Russell Van Brocklen, who also works with the Disability Resource Center at the University at Albany, State University of New York, notes that forums and other online tools can also help some students better organize their thoughts and materials.
• Physical disabilities. Perhaps the most obvious benefit of online education for physically disabled students is its accessibility. Students need not report to a campus or rush between classes when the classroom is always as close as the nearest Internet connection. Students whose disabilities make it difficult or impossible to type can usually integrate other adaptive technologies, such as voice-to-text and voice-activated programs.
• Visual impairments. As with students with physical disabilities, students with visual impairments may find it easier to log on to a computer to report to class than to make the trip campus. These students can also use adaptive technologies that make online learning easier, like audio recordings, voice-to-text software and even braille keyboards.
• Hearing impairments. People with hearing impairments often use a number of technological accommodations that make life easier, many of which fit nicely with the online learning platform. They might, for instance, view video lectures with subtitles — something that cannot be replicated in the classroom. In online education, text is the primary mode of day-to-day communication with instructors and peers, which means students with hearing impairments can collaborate with their fellow classmates in forums and via email, no signing required.
• Psychiatric disabilities. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 15 percent of colleges cater to students with psychiatric disabilities. How online learning can benefit these students varies tremendously from one condition to the next. Some students, particularly those with severe anxiety, may feel more comfortable working in the comfort of their own home rather than in a large classroom setting. Others can appreciate the freedom to tend to school work whenever they feel up to it, and around therapy or other appointments.

It is important to note that many online schools also afford students with disabilities many of the same accommodations they would have in the classroom, including extended tests and assignment deadlines, additional instructor support by phone or email, and expanded assignment guidelines.

Common challenges (And how to address them)

We have discussed many of the ways online degree programs can benefit students with disabilities, but as Empire State College, State University of New York emphasizes on its website, online education can present its own challenges now and again. Among them:

• Course management systems that are incompatible with students’ assistive technology
• Less immediate feedback when students need help or have questions
• Difficulties navigating and processing online media, depending on the disability
• Little or slow adoption of disability-friendly accommodations, like closed captioned video lectures, due to budget restraints or lack of institutional awareness

Often students can identify and address potential issues by test-driving course management programs before beginning a course. Most schools also staff technical and other support personnel who can counsel students on how to best use and adapt web technologies by phone, email or live chat.

“Students should communicate their concerns,” says Goad. “Ask up front whether the programs and technology the online courses are using are accessible.”

Goad also encourages students who feel their needs are not being met to speak up. He says that while it may seem easier to opt-out and find a program with more accessible technology than to wait for an existing program to be retrofitted, schools will not get the memo if they are not informed. The same can be said of schools who do not demand technologies that better meet their students’ needs.

“It’s a supply and demand issue though. Students and institutions should start demanding accessible formats, platforms, and technology,” adds Goad. “One way they can do that is by instituting procurement policies. In other words, we won’t purchase this format, text, or platform unless it’s fully accessible.”

Choosing an online degree program

All students, with and without disabilities, can benefit from choosing an online degree program that suits their life and learning styles, but those with disabilities need to consider other factors, too. Perhaps the biggest, says Van Brocklen, is the level of support, “both technical and from the instructors themselves.”

“It has been my experience that some dyslexics are computer geniuses, and computer difficulties which might concern the general population are of little to no concern for them,” says Van Brocklen, who has severe dyslexia himself. “However, there is also a significant portion of the dyslexic population where, quite frankly, we find technological problems to be a major obstacle.”

Van Brocklen emphasizes the importance of also having plenty of access to instructors. He recalls how important professors’ office hours were to him as a student.

“It was these hours of conversation where I learned the most from any given course,” he adds.

Like many, Van Brocklen wants to be certain students still have an opportunity to connect with teachers in other ways while attending online courses. Luckily, many online degree programs now offer students the ability to chat with instructors and classmates through a variety of formats, including email, discussion boards, instant message, video conference, and phone.

Sources:
“Accommodations for Online Courses,” Empire State College, State University of New York, http://www.esc.edu/disability-services/student-handbook/accommodations-overview/online-courses/
“Colleges respond to growing ranks of learning disabled,” Hechinger Report, February 13, 2014, Matt Krupnick, http://hechingerreport.org/content/colleges-respond-to-growing-ranks-of-learning-disabled_14704/
Interview with Dr. Chester Goad, July 30, 2014
“The State of Learning Disabilities,” National Center for Learning Disabilities, Candace Cortiella, 2014, http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/what-is-ld/state-of-learning-disabilities
“Students with Disabilities at Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions,” Institute of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, June, 2011, http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2011/2011018.pdf