Online Degrees - Do’s and Don’ts explains critical parameters which should be evaluated by potential online students considering enrolling in an online program. Complying with these dos and don'ts would ensure that the overall experience of prospective students turns out to be fruitful.

1. Online Degrees - Do’s and Don’ts
If the 2010 annual report published by Sloan Consortium on the state of online education in the
country is to be believed, the rate of online enrollments continues to surpass the total number of
students pursuing higher education.
Online education is a reality, and those who are still prejudiced against it need to keep pace with
the times. However, equally real is the danger of falling into the trap of less than credible
educational institutions operating under the garb of online colleges and universities.
So if you are considering online degrees to realize your dream of acquiring higher education,
there are certain do’s and don’ts you can follow to make sure that your overall experience turns
out to be a positive one.
Do’s of Online Degrees
Even before you start marking down colleges that offer online degree programs, make sure the
discipline of your choice can be taught via this medium. While it’s true that degrees in almost all
disciplines are now being offered online, but you should know that some are better suited for this
mode of study than others. There are certain fields like engineering that are best learned in a
classroom and should not be attempted online.
Once you have figured out that your field of interest can be taught effectively via this medium, you
should start short listing colleges and universities that offer this discipline online. While listing
down colleges, the most important factor to consider is accreditation.
Another crucial consideration when choosing an online college is financial aid. It’s common
knowledge that skyrocketing tuition has put college education beyond the financial means of a lot
of people.
However, help is available in the form of federal and state sponsored financial aid. Make sure the
college you are planning to attend participates in these financial aid programs to help you fund
your education if you qualify.
Now that you have decided to pursue an online degree program, make friends with technology
because you’re going to be using a lot of it during the course of your education. Whether it’s real
time online discussions or interaction over email, you will be using technology pretty much all the
time to complete your coursework. A word of advice here – get a fast speed Internet connection
before you begin classes.
Don’ts of Online Degrees
Whatever you do, don’t ever make the mistake of thinking online degrees are a cakewalk. You’ll
be surprised to know that they follow more or less the same curriculum as traditional degrees and
sometimes are a lot more intensive. Be prepared to work hard and stay committed all through
your education.
Another thing you should never do is jump headlong into online degree programs without
assessing your own suitability for it. Like everything else, online education is not for anyone. It
requires certain characteristics to succeed and primary amongst these are self-discipline, focus,
and perseverance.
If you don’t have the discipline to fight the temptation to procrastinate, the focus to set and follow
a study schedule diligently, and the perseverance to juggle education with your other
commitments without collapsing out of sheer exhaustion, it’s best to steer clear of online
programs.

2. Last, but not the least, do not get yourself into a situation where your education seems to be
stretching into years you can ill afford to spend on it. Make sure the program duration ties in with
your personal and professional goals. Many online degrees are available on flexible schedules
that provide you the option of graduating in a shorter than normal completion time, and it may
make sense for you to explore such programs.