The Online Degree Dorm Room

Poor ecomony sends adults flocking to online degrees

Posted by bposton on July 29th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

It’s almost a fact of nature that when layoffs go up and the economy goes down, the enrollment at online degree colleges go up.

Case in point. Drexel University recently accounced that it had completed its highest enrollment ever during the 2008-2009 academic year. Drexel Online saw a record 20 percent growth in enrollment from the past year.

A 2008 survey by the Sloan Consortium states that online school enrollment increased more than 12 percent from the previous year. The survey of more than 2,500 colleges and universities nationwide finds approximately 3.94 million students were enrolled in at least one online course in fall of 2007.

So are you considering heading back to school. Well, you’re certainly not alone. Adults of every age are trying to find work in a stable industry or government sector (like teaching), and young professionals are decided to ride out the recession in grad school so they can come out with a more competitive degree when things start to turn around.

And unlike the typical high school senior, these folks don’t care that much about the great the meal plans are or how pretty the campus looks. They care about cost, convenience and flexibility.

So make sure that when you start looking at the myriad of online degree programs out there for adults, keep these options in mind:

Degree programs that offer multiple start dates and evening courses.

For example, online MBA programs typically meet one evening each week with occasional course offerings on Saturdays. Some offer semester-long classes, and other offer inter-session courses that are intense four-weekend electives. 

Hybrid courses that mix online and classroom time:
Another option is to attend a school that offers both online and classroom courses. These may be better accepted by employers.

Ease of testing out of classes and/or credit for experience:
Some colleges allow students to test out of some courses. And the fee to test out is much less that the free for the credits. And of course you can say a ton of time as well.

Now, most schools do not give automatic credit for work experience, but here’s a tip - ask your professors about doing some special research on topics that are based on your background and experience. You can also to demonstrate your knowledge with a presentation or portfolio of your work. And there are organizations who provide training programs that colleges will award credit for, such as the American Council on Education, the American Management Association, etc. 

Scholarships and grants for adult students, financial aid deadlines, and employer tuition reimbursement options:
The full tution for going back to school is a lot, but don’t let that deter you. Make sure to apply for federal assistance by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before April 1. State and institutional aid is also determined by the information on this form. And once you are a student, check into the many institutions that offer recognition scholarships for achievement.

Check into Federal or State programs that offers dislocated worker funding for professionals who’ve been laid off and want to seek more education. 

The online education industry is thriving, and online schools are becoming a popular and attractive education option for prospective students of all ages. So check out your options on how to circumvent the current recession, save time and money — and get a jump on your career goals.