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In an information-rich technological, digital world, it only makes sense that education and educational systems should change in order to meet today's market standards for business, causing online degrees to be more popular and powerful than any distance-learning counterpart of the past. After all, a college education is to help an individual become more affluent in the workforce, and when the workforce is increasingly digital and electronic, an electronic online education ties right into that model.

The number one cause for the increasing legitimacy of online degrees has had to do with the increase in telecommuting in the workforce. There was a time when working from home was left mostly to Avon and Tupperware housewives. Today, telecommuting has become not only a viable option for many employees and employers, but with the current gas prices and pollution issues in the world, telecommuting helps save money, time and resources.

When more people are successfully functioning in careers via digital means, an online education seems viable. With chat rooms, streaming live audio and video and file attachments, an online educational classroom, or a 'virtual classroom', can have many of the same elements as a traditional bricks and mortar classroom, including online class discussions, team collaboration, and more. When businesses frequently conduct meetings in the virtual realm, and online education actually better prepares a college student for the real-life workforce of computers, email communication, and technology than does a traditional college campus.

In the past, distance education had a negative stigma associated with it, due to lack of school accreditation, lack of strict educational standards when compared to ground campuses, and less emphasis on basic education. With today's online universities, though, online education is better than it ever has been, with many online campuses carrying the same accreditation as their ground campus counterparts, course and degree plans that rival of even beat ground campus curriculum.

Due to the increased legitimacy of online education, federal and state financial aid, as well as student and government educational loans, are now available to help offset the cost of attending an online university. There are budgets and plans for aid and loans to attend accredited online universities for traditional-style online degrees to fit just about any budget.

However, as with anything in the online world, online degrees have seen their fair share of scams and spam. Do a little research at credible websites and check for things such as course plans, previous college credit transfers, Department of Education approval, accreditation through one of the major accreditation agencies. Additionally, when seeking an online degree, be sure to ask questions upfront about tuition, fees, books and schedules before committing any money.

Lastly, to continue to increase the value and legitimacy of online degrees, never fall for the life experience, non-accredited universities that offer a degree based on life experience, without ever having to complete any course work. A real degree, online degree or traditional degree, is only as good as the work and effort you put into it, so choose wisely when choosing an online degree program and online university.

Learn more about this author, Michelle L Devon.
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