Most Popular Online Degree Programs
December 25, 2009 by Sophie Peters
Filed under Online Trainings
With the plethora of degrees and programs available through online distance education, the choices seem many and confusing! Researching the programs can be daunting! The questions that run through the students mind range from: Are these degree programs accredited? What does it take to be a successful online learner? Can I get a job with my online degree? What online degrees are marketable?
There is a trend for people who may have started their degrees but perhaps had to postpone graduation for various reasons to consider online programs and accelerated degree programs and degree completion programs. Such programs offer flexibility to people who work full time or have families because they can take classes at their own pace. Another trend is for traditional colleges and universities to offer online program options for students who want the campus life experience as well as the online learning experience.
Studies and online surveys seem to suggest that while the trends in online degrees fluctuate each quarter and within different degree levels some areas of study remain very popular: These are: Business, Healthcare (Nursing, Psychology, Medical Billing and Coding); Education, Engineering and Computer Information Systems, and Criminal Justice.
Research also suggests that a larger number of students enroll for graduate level programs, especially doctoral and masters programs. This seems to be based on the fact that the students need the flexibility to continue enhancing their skills and knowledge.
Business administration studies remain popular at both the masters and bachelors levels. The MBA (Masters in Business Administration) for instance is almost a requirement for most mid-level and upper-level management positions. What this means is that more and more students are seeking to complete their MBA online. It also means that more universities are observing this trend and responding to the need by offering online learning options. Areas of study that include project management, risk management, accounting, finance, human resource management and marketing are marketable areas of study for the students.
In the health care profession, certain areas continue to grown yet there the number of trained professionals is still below the target. Nursing, medical billing, medical coding and medical transcription are just some of the niche areas in health care that continue to experience shortages. Forensic nursing, life care planning, and legal nurse consulting careers are examples of areas in nursing that continue to experience the highest interest. Much of this interest has been generated by technological advancement in health care and the retirement of the aging baby boomer population.
Another area that continues to have a need especially at the graduate level of study is teacher education. Special education, mathematics education, and science education for example fall under teacher education and do continue to experience a need for trained certified teachers. Other areas are educational administration, educational technology, and educational leadership.
The technology field, including computer information technology, computer science, and engineering programs continue to be popular in the information age and the future seems bright for students who pursue degrees in these areas.
Criminal justice courses also remain at the top of the list of popular online degrees. Criminal justice degrees have remained marketable at all levels including associates, bachelor and masters levels. Graduates of these programs go on to pursue careers in law enforcement, corrections, and the legal profession in areas such as immigration and homeland security personnel.
Regardless of what you decide to study, keep some key points in mind. The first thing is to ensure that you select an institution that is fully accredited by a professional body. Second, keep in mind that while some areas of study may not be popular with students, there is an industry need for certain areas of practice and these areas tend to pay quite well. Third, do some prior research to see what financial commitment you need to make and if there are available scholarships. In addition, check the course scheduling to ensure that it is flexible so that you can graduate online.
For content on accounting and finance degrees and ecommerce degrees visit Sophia Peters website. Also learn more about related business degree programs.
One of the great things about online education is that no matter where you are in the world you can find as many options as you’d have in the largest cities in the world. Once you’ve begun your search your first task is to narrow down the distance learning PhD programs in your discipline.