Have you heard about distance learning? Are you afraid of committing to a school that will give you a degree that is not recognized and therefore useless?
Before you jump into an on-line school or program it is key to know what to expect and what the school is expecting from you.

What is on-line learning anyways?

You are in charge of your destiny and you will get out of your education as much as you put into it. On-line learning is not self passed. You must be able to remain focused and on schedule.

There are several advantages to studying on-line over a conventional campus.
1- No commuting.
2- You set your own schedule
3- No dress code!

There are also some other things you have to consider:
1- You must be able to schedule time every week to the work. And believe me you will be doing more work on-line than at a conventional campus (I have done it).
2- You must start early in the week so that you can find help in case you get stuck in your assignments.
3- On-line education may be more expensive than traditional campuses.

So how much does it cost?

It will vary mostly depending on what school you are planning to attend. Now, choosing a school based solely on price may not be a wise idea and I will tell you why.
More important than cost is selecting a school with the right accreditation.
Your school must be regionally or nationally accredited, but do not just accept whatever the school's website tells you, always check the credentials yourself by visiting the U.S. Department of Education on-line at: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=mountain+stat e+university&s=all
not only will you get accreditation information, but also, tuition and financial aid information.

So how much does it cost?

Cost vary greatly from school to school. The most reasonable ones start at around $300 per unit and go all the way up to $800 and beyond.

Checklist:
what do you want to study?
Is on-line education right for me?
What schools offer my degree (AS, BS)?
Is the school accredited?
How will I pay for it? Student loans, financial aid, etc...

Follow the simple steps above for a successful school year and enjoy the learning experience!

Learn more about this author, G. Uriarte.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

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