by Mark Butler

Created on: October 08, 2008   Last Updated: July 24, 2009

Are you looking to give your career a boost? Do you need a degree or an advanced degree in order to open a door to better position? If so, you may want to consider getting that degree via an online program! The online degree may be an even better option if the degree you need isn't offered locally and since not all of us live near big cities with their enhanced educational opportunities and facilities. Keep in mind that the only thing that is easier about an online program compared to the traditional classroom is the commute!

Over the years I've experienced every type of college learning environment possible. Before the internet I took correspondence courses from traditional colleges. Later I took night classes and then I actually sat in a classroom 5 days a week with traditional college students. Finally I discovered the online educational world and I knew I'd found the right place for me. I may be biased since I like to work and learn alone but I also recognize that there are times when teamwork is needed. Some of my classes involved teams and getting teams together who are in different geographic areas and time zones is an education in itself. In the end I will have earned two master's degrees and I've recently been accepted to an online PhD program. I'll tell the tale and you can be the judge. After all, each person's decision as to whether to pursue an online degree or not has to be based on their own personality, learning style and personal circumstances.

The premise that an online college degree is helpful to your career is based on three factors. First, the college must be regionally accredited by the established regional accrediting agency. Second, you must have a record that supports your ability to function at the level that your degree would seem to indicate. Third, the college should be reasonably well known for producing a good quality, knowledgeable graduate.

My first online master's degree was a Master's Degree in Quality Assurance from California State University (www.csudh.edu). Unfortunately I wasn't as properly prepared to work in the Quality Assurance field due to a lack of work experience in that field. It had seemed like a good idea at the time and I truly believed my experience in the Navy would make up for my lack of experience in the field. Luckily I was able to find work in another field and I was able to apply what I learned and thereby save the company nearly $500,000.

After that I decided that an MBA would

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