Why Earn a Bachelor Degree Online?

Universities have started programs to award bachelor degrees online. They foresee a rising demand of a bachelor degree in different studies by the young high school graduates. The high salary and lucrative jobs offered to graduates have inspired students to earn a bachelor degree. According to a survey, starting salary for a graduate has been increased by 5% in the recent years. The National Association of Colleges and Employees (NACE) of the USA has reported fierce competition among employers to hire young college graduates. Students are going to school in order to become a graduate. But there is a problem. Not every student can attend college due to personal or economical reasons.

• Some students live at a distance from college campus. They have to spend more time on commuting than attending classes. It discourages them from earning a bachelor degree.

• The rising cost of education in United States has cast its shadow over the future of the average man. Now only wealthy students can earn bachelor degrees. This scenario discourages poor students from attending college to earn a bachelor degree.

• A bachelor degree is still a dream for those students who have a poor academic background because most of the bachelor degree courses require a strong background.

• Physically disabled students do not feel comfortable in commuting through busy roads. They have to cross many hurdles in college such as climbing stairs.

• Working persons who have a flair for reading cannot attend colleges because the college timing clashes with their office timings.

A bachelor degree from online university is the answer to all the above mentioned problems. You can attend classes, chat with professors and work on a project without stepping in the classroom. Students can earn a bachelor degree online from their drawing room. All you need is a personal computer and internet connection and you are just a click away from fulfilling your dreams.

Characteristics of a bachelor degree online

Pursuing a bachelor degree online is cost effective. The fees for an online bachelor degree course is much less than the fees of a traditional course.

Students are free to attend online classes in night, weekend or on their free time. You can earn an online degree in a much shorter period than a traditional one.

Thousands of online courses are available for students. You can choose a bachelor of business administration, arts, law, finance, architecture, accounts, medical etc.

It makes you eligible for higher studies such as master of business administration, master's degree in other studies and PhD.

It is recognized by employers. You can easily get lucrative posts such as CEO, Manager, Financial Advisor, Legal Advisor, Doctor, Engineer etc.

Online universities are very liberal in enrolling students in various degree courses. Students from average academic backgrounds can get enrolled in an online university.

Choosing an online bachelor degree

Students will find no hurdles in selecting an online course for themselves. The archived curriculum is available online. Go through it before deciding a college course. You can also take help of career tests such as www.jobdiagnosis.com to select the right course according to your capabilities. Students must enroll only in an accredited online course.

Original Source of Article....

How Employers View Your Online Bachelor's Degree

When Erik Schnackenberg, 28, decided to get his bachelor’s degree at Pace University several years ago, he was confident about his decision to take courses entirely online.

If anything was going to get in the way of his job prospects, he figured it would be the lack of a master’s degree – not his choice to pursue distance education.

“I’ve interviewed several places and no one has asked me if I’m going on-campus for classes,” says Schnackenberg, a train conductor instructor and full-time student. “I think they care more about my major and my GPA.”

Schnackenberg might be onto something. The number of job candidates with online bachelor’s degrees has rapidly increased in recent years, recruiters say. At the same time, acceptance of the degrees by employers is becoming more common.

[Find out if online learning is right for you.]

That hasn’t always been the case, though.

Only a few years ago, in 2009, a literature review by Cleveland State University found that human resource managers, executives and other gatekeepers had negative perceptions of online degrees. Some recruiters blame the stigma on the last decade’s "diploma mills" – online, unaccredited programs known for offering a degree to anyone with a full wallet.

But these days, employers rarely question the quality of online programs, says Susan Fontana, regional vice president of Manpower, a global recruiting firm.

“Things have changed,” says Fontana, whose company works with Fortune 100 companies and small and midsize businesses. “I think 10 years ago, you probably had a little more questioning, but it really is so much more accepted today.”

In fact, sometimes an online bachelor’s degree can be an advantage in the eye of an employer, Fontana says. In some cases, entrepreneurs favor students such as Schnackenberg, who have juggled multiple commitments while earning their degree.

“When you think about balancing a job and the needs of a family with school, that says a lot about the discipline of a person,” Fontana says.

There are several reasons why online bachelor’s degrees are increasingly becoming accepted, including the sheer number of students taking online courses, experts say. About 7.1 million students took at least one online course during the fall of 2012, according to the most recent findings from the Babson Survey Research Group.

[Determine whether your learning style suits online education.]

Chris Cullen, a brand consultant for colleges and universities, says the perception of online degrees has also changed as top-ranked schools have started offering more distance education options and massive open online courses, known as MOOCs.

“In the past couple of years schools like MIT, Stanford, Duke and Johns Hopkins have joined the online education landscape,” says Cullen, managing director at Infinia DC. "It elevates the concept of online higher ed. Just by their participation the category is lifted."

Despite the evolution of online education, some employers are still wary of online degrees, recruiters say.

Mary Massad, division president of recruiting services for Insperity, a firm that provides recruiting services to more than 100,000 small and midsize businesses, says her clients have a variety of opinions on the degrees.

About 75 percent of her clients have embraced online credentials. As for the other 25 percent, she doesn’t count on changing their minds.

“There are people who are very resistant and very traditional in the way they perceive an online degree,” she says. “For some, it’s just deeply embedded in how they think.”

Although having an online bachelor’s degree isn’t a deal breaker for most of her clients, Massad says having an online degree from an unaccredited school is a sure way to get a resume discarded. Before you enroll in a program, make sure it is accredited, she says.

“You can go into this with eyes wide open – and you should,” she says.

[Discover whether your online program is accredited.]

Cullen, of Infinia DC, says some employers favor traditional bachelor’s degrees simply because they are more familiar.

To avoid having an online degree discounted, he recommends enrolling in a program that has brand recognition in the relevant field.

“In time, a person’s experience will outweigh their education on their resume,” he says. “But all things being equal, an employer will judge your education based on their own personal familiarity with the institution that provided the degree.”

Original Source of Article....

Should I Earn a Bachelor Degree?

A bachelor degree is a postsecondary (or undergraduate) degree awarded to students who have completed a bachelor degree program. Most bachelor degrees can be earned within four years, though there are some accelerated programs that can be completed in as little as three years. Students who have already earned an associate degree may be able to complete the additional credits needed to earn a bachelor degree in two years of less. Bachelor degrees are popular degrees amonng business students.

Where to Earn a Bachelor Degree in Business
A bachelor degree in business can be earned from almost any four-year college and university. The degree can be earned online or through an on-campus program. Although every business program is different, most schools require that students complete approximately 40 courses or 120 credit hours.

Reasons to Earn a Bachelor Degree in Business
There are many different reasons to consider earning a bachelor degree in a business field. To start, this education track can lead to a better job and a higher salary. Business professionals who hold a bachelor degree tend to earn much more ($1 million on average) over a lifetime than people with a high school diploma. Earning a bachelor degree in a business-related field is also the first step for students who want to go on to earn an MBA or another advanced degree. Other reasons to consider earning a bachelor degree:

•     A bachelor degree is the most common degree awarded by colleges and universities. Students should have no problem finding a business program that meets their needs or career goals.
•     A bachelor degree is required for most jobs in the business field. Students who complete a program will have the occupational training needed to secure a job after graduation.
•     Employers often hire bachelor degree holders over applicants who have an associate degree or a high school diploma.
•     Students who enroll in a bachelor degree program can choose a major and received specialized education that will help them on the job after graduation.
•     Students who have taken AP classes in high school or college can earn a bachelor degree in as little as three years. Those who already have an associate degree can usually transfer and apply up to 60 credits toward a bachelor degree.

Associate Degrees vs. Bachelor Degrees

Choosing between an associate degree and a bachelor degree can be difficult. Associate degrees are often the more attractive option because they can be earned in less time (usually two years). It is also much cheaper to earn an associate degree than it is to earn a bachelor degree.

Of course, there are drawbacks to choosing a two-year degree in business over a four-year degree in business. An associate degree program offers a general education. Bachelor degree programs, on the other hand, provide students with the opportunity to choose a major and receive a highly-specialized education. This is very important for people who want to work in specialized business fields, such as financial management, accounting, operations management, human resources, or marketing.

Choosing a Bachelor Degree Program

Finding the right bachelor degree program can be a challenge. There are thousands of schools and degree programs to choose from in the U.S. alone. Some of the things that should be considered when choosing a bachelor degree program include:

•     Accreditation
•     Cost
•     Curriculum
•     Faculty Reputation
•     Program Reputation
•     Student:Faculty Ratio
•     Admissions Requirements
•     Career Services

Original Source of Article...