Distance Learning College
A distance learning college will provide students with an opportunity to complete some or all of their coursework outside of a traditional classroom environment. Some universities offer both distance education and traditional education programs, while some are strictly online universities. One popular distance learning college, the University of Phoenix, offers degrees that can be earned completely online, but the university also has campuses where students can physically attend class. The benefit of a distance learning college like University of Phoenix is that a degree can be earned more rapidly than with traditional college. Students attend year round and can take two classes online concurrently, or take one class online and one on campus. A requirement to attending University of Phoenix is the student has to be employed full-time because much of the coursework relies on the student sharing real work experiences. The professor's are required to work in the field they are teaching. Because a distance learning college like the University of Phoenix offers a virtual classroom environment, students who have busy lives can still earn a degree.
There are some drawbacks to attending a distance learning college. Many are private universities, so one should always check that the school has been accredited through the U.S. Department of Education. If the distance learning college is private, it can charge 3-4 times more for tuition than a public university. One must weigh the benefit of the flexibility of an online environment against the cost of tuition. Financial aid can be used at an accredited distance learning college to help pay for tuition. Another source of financial assistance can be a company's employee tuition assistance program. A degree from a distance learning college may not be as widely accepted by employers as one from a traditional university, especially if the degree program is not accredited. To help alleviate this problem, one should look for an accredited distance learning college with a recognizable name such as Michigan State or Rice University that offers distance learning programs.
