Online Education - Could it Be For You?

So you've decided to go back to school to earn a degree. Whether you are finishing your Bachelors degree, pursuing a Masters or even a PhD, going back to school is a big decision. With online classes or "distance learning" as an option, your decision might be a little easier. Accredited colleges and universities offer Undergraduate, Masters and even Doctorate programs in an on-line environment so you can attend class at a time that is convenient for you.

Asynchronous learning makes getting a degree more of an option for many, including working adults and parents. Many on-line programs are reasonably priced and offer tremendous flexibility. But don't mistake on-line classes as being easier than traditional brick and mortar classes. For typical degree programs in an on-line environment, you can expect to have to put a lot of time and effort into your academic pursuits.

These are the things you must consider before making your final decision:

Time to complete the degree: You must consider the time it will take to complete the degree and make sure you can stick with it for the duration. An undergraduate degree can take anywhere from two to four years to complete depending on how many classes you can take at once and how many breaks you take during the program. Masters programs might take approximately a year and a half to two years, and a PhD or Doctorate could take as long as five or six years, or as little as three years. Many schools allow you to take extended breaks if you need to, but when you do this, there is more temptation not to return.

Monetary concerns: Going back to school requires a significant financial investment and understanding your options is very important. You must consider how you will pay for your continuing education. Will you pay out of pocket, get a loan or apply for scholarships? Whichever route you choose, you must plan ahead and stay on top of your financial obligations. Schools have financial aid counselors available to help you choose the best options for you.

Time needed for classes and studying: Earning a degree requires a considerable investment of time every week. While on-line classes allow flexibility with your schedule during the week, the coursework can be quite intense at times and you must be prepared to meet attendance requirements and assignment deadlines. On-line classes could require anywhere from 10-20 hours per week, when you are a working adult. While this may seem like a lot when you are working or parenting, it is manageable if you are dedicated. So make sure you have the time to invest before making the jump.

Impact to those close to you: You may not think that going back to school will have such a big impact to family members, but think again. You will not have as much time to spend with loved ones when you are focused on a paper that is due the next day. You may have to forgo a social event or family function in order to meet a deadline and while others in the house are asleep, you may be chugging coffee and reading a textbook.

So prepare yourself and your family members for this commitment. Make sure that the ones closest to you are completely supportive. When you are particularly stressed and complain about school, the last thing you need is someone you love saying, "I told you this wasn't a good idea!" You need the people closest to you offering support and encouragement. They will be very proud when you have degree in hand.

Going back to school to pursue a degree can be an extremely rewarding experience. On-line education offers flexibility and options that you just could not get from traditional schools. Take the time to consider all of the options before jumping in. The more time and planning you put in to the decision, the more likely you are to be successful. When you complete the program and have degree in hand, all that time and effort will be well worth your while.

Lucia is a freelance writer who has worked in the IT Industry for over 15 years. Lucia specializes in IT Management, Technical Improvement, Gap Analysis, Process Improvement and Implementation, and much more. Lucia is also a mother of 4 and a perpetual student.

Lucia enjoys writing and is always looking forward to her next opportunity.

Online Psychology Degree Programs - Is Now the Right Time to Pursue Your Psychology Degree Online?

There are now lots of available options for accredited online psychology degrees. Psychology has always been a highly popular course of study for collegiate students. It offers a number of benefits which can be applied to a great deal of diverse fields. It also provides the chance to acquire advanced degrees such as masters and doctoral degrees and to understand more about yourself and your connections and relationships. With the ever expanding availability of online psychology degrees, right now you have more alternatives than ever before to undertake this form of education.

Psychology is in essence an in-depth look at what molds and controls human behavior. What exactly is going on in a person's head? Why have they made the choices that they have? What in their life has influenced the way they conduct themselves today?

When you study psychology you will certainly learn plenty about yourself. You'll learn how to to interpret your own behavioral patterns and take a look at your own relationships. With these tools you'll be equipped to progress your personal life.

There are many career options for those who complete accredited online psychology degrees. One growing field is that of company or private firm psychologists. Businesses are trying to organizational behavior and how people can be motivated more successfully in the workplace. Having a psychology degree allows you to offer advice on how companies can improve their atmosphere and their environment to gain increased output and amplified success.

Another option is to continue learning about psychology as an academic. not many fields lend themselves to interesting research studies and experiments like psychology does. In addition to this, a great career for those who begin with a psychology background is to become a practicing therapist.

Careers in criminal psychology, law enforcement and the social services are also popular and common. Another career option is research and continued study. These are only a few examples of the many different career paths available to those with a psychology degree.

The main point here is that there are many different career prospects for people with a background in psychology. Combined with the added flexibility and benefits of online degree programs obtaining a psychology education has never been easier.

As pointed out previously there are advanced diplomas available in the field of psychology. These include masters degrees and PhDs. Some career paths, such as becoming a private therapist, will require you to pursue a degree of this level. Other career paths will only require a bachelors degree.

There are even more advanced degrees, including both masters degree programs and PhD programs in psychology. this higher level of qualification is generally needed if you want to start your own practice or if you aim to pursue therapy as the basis of your career.

Completing your psychology degree through an accredited online program can open up an entire new range of options for you and your career. Enrolling for and partaking in an online education has never been easier than it is today, so there's no need to delay to get your great new career in the world of psychology started.

To get started you should check out these accredited online psychology degree programs from the top schools for online psychology degrees. Go ahead, save yourself some time and explore your options right now. There will never be a better time!