ABC's of Online College - A Series -Part 2
It’s a good time to reaffirm my core belief about the college price tag drag, from the introduction of my book, ENOUGH! The College Cost Crisis.
“ I am a HUGE advocate of education beyond the high school diploma. For most people, the high school diploma is no longer adequate in the 21st-century workforce. I am also a HUGE opponent to the crippling costs visited on unsuspecting students and parents.”
Last week’s blog was about the prevailing misconceptions surrounding online degrees. This pandemic turned our world upside down. Unexpectedly, distance learning slammed into your living or dining room, uninvited. This spring, all education had to move online throughout the country. It was not pretty, but it got done, in some form or fashion. Teachers adapted, families rallied, and everyone survived.
My biggest worry is you will think this is how online college looks- a scrambled egg mess that tried hard but didn’t hit the target. Please don’t judge professional online college degree programs by the rushed jumble the colleges jumped into in March. Online programs have been developing their processes over the last two decades. The best have an excellent system and program at hand. It’s not their first rodeo. For many programs, it’s their 15th, 20th, or 25th.
When you can earn a respected online degree for 25% of the cost of a traditional degree, everyone needs to consider that option. Be aware that online degrees are gaining positive attention of employers everywhere. Savvy companies like the work ethic exhibited by someone who has the discipline to do their higher education differently. If we can work from home, why can’t we get a degree from home?
Here is the step-by-step process for exploring the world of online degrees.
Hint: This is a good time to build out a comparison chart. Put down the type of degree program, name of the school, cost per credit hours, guesstimated time to complete, additional fees, application fee, options for AP or IB credits from high school, etc. Research online until you have 5 to 10 online programs you will contact about their program.
A. Target your degree program AND your university/college before you start. This is the opposite of the classic “check it out” approach at colleges and universities. Traditional schools offer a buffet of introductory courses from which you eventually select your major. You get two years to figure it out. Online learning starts with a target in mind. Begin by reviewing classes you liked and did well in during high school. Take a couple of high-quality career aptitude tests online (the good ones will charge a fee!). Select a possible major, THEN look over the online programs for that major. Yes, you can change your mind about your major with online courses. It may result in a few more “required” courses for your new major, but that is affordable. However, if you research your interests and capacities FIRST, you reduce the likelihood of any do-overs.
B. Begin searching for online college in YOUR state’s public universities online programs. You can start that search at Online colleges This site can help you find schools that have your degree interest. Why focus on in-state? Generally, public universities have two sets of tuition charges; one for in-state residents and one for out of state. Most private colleges and universities have a single price for both types of students. Your lowest cost will almost always be at a public university in your state. Other websites suggested in my book include Best colleges and Affordable college online.
C. Check out private university online programs using the same process. Yes, you need to do this, too. Especially if your student needs a specific or hard to find major. There’s a 100% chance it will cost more. However, this is where you weigh the “reputation” of a private university program versus an in-state online program. Some programs are “newer” to your state’s university system and have not proven themselves. Ask professionals in the field your student wants to join about the difference in public or private degrees in your students’ chosen program. Be sure any private university you are considering is fully accredited and in good standing by their regional higher education accrediting commissions. Do your research on accreditation, and do not depend on any higher education admissions counselors’ statements.
D. Can your student manage an online program? Believe me, this is a critical question. If we worry about them getting up for their first class before noon, what about doing it all online? Remember to determine if the program is delivered synchronistically (live same time, same day) or asynchronistically (recorded and accessible any time). If your student plans to work part-time also, these options must be explored and understood.
E. Try it out. One of the best things about online college is the chance to test drive a couple of courses for very little money. If it works, great. If it doesn’t work, great. Now you know for very little cost. If you need to borrow $1,000 to find out, that beats $20,000 for a year at the big local U.
Of course, there is a price tag for doing your higher education differently. Your student must find and create their community. There will be her/his online student/class/professor community, of course. The pandemic has highlighted the need for a variety of communities they should be in, as soon as it is practical to “join in”. Your student will need to adapt and find outside activities that mimic what would be offered on campus- swap drama club for community theater, intramural sports for local ball leagues, etc. It is essential to seek out uplifting connections. We all miss our interactions a lot right now.
Next week, I will continue with another major option for doing college differently- joining the military! You won’t believe some of the great educational benefits- I’ll give you a clue. Two branches will take your college graduate and help them erase up to $65,000 of the Department of Education student loans. Share THAT with a friend who might benefit from this help!
Until next time,
All my best,
Bonnie Burkett
