Many universities around the world offer an option to complete university degrees in online mode or a combination of the face-to-face and online modes of study. For people looking to extend their career or educational profile it is suggested to contact their local university before searching for alternative places of study online.
Is it a real degree?
Online education and online degrees are only valuable if they are awarded by reputable universities or academic schools. There are many places on the net offering quick degrees or even degrees without assignments and exams, and these institution damage the reputation of other universities offering online mode of study. Online mode of study is convenient to people working full time or living long distance from their local universities. Degrees awarded to online students are equivalent to the same degrees awarded to other students who attended classes on a university campus.
Online study for busy people
For business people working full time, online mode of study provides a great opportunity to further their professional development. Studying for a Masters of Business Administration or a Graduate Business Certificate, for example, may in fact improve career choices or solidify current employment position. In addition to that, attending a university is one of the best ways to get up to day with current research and development in a particular business area.
How does it work?
When studying online, students have the same deadlines and assessment requirements as other students attending university classes. At the start of the semester, the unit coordinator sends an email to online students with details on how to access online study material and discussion board. The unit outline normally contains reading requirements and a weekly discussion topic. Students are encouraged to contribute online and as well as sharing their business experience, refer to other current academic research and material. The unit coordinator or the lecturer makes themselves available and can normally be contacted online or over the phone. Even though students study online, it is a dynamic process and a personal experience.
Studying online requires a little extra student commitment and a well developed time management skills. Because there is no pressure to attend classes, students require to allocate their time at home for reading and contribution to online discussions. It is important to follow on weekly reading and complete assignments on time.
Contact your local university
Online education provides a convenient access to busy business people or people living in remote areas. When selecting a university, is it suggested to contact a local school first and follow their recommendations from then on, in order to avoid online education scam so widely spread across the internet.