What is Distance Learning?

When my husband announced that he was going back to school to get his MBA, I was mortified. I clearly remembered the long nights spent alone while he was in class during our early marriage, and with a new baby due any day I was not at all ready to relive his “good old college days.”

Then he dropped the next bombshell: he was going to earn his degree online. “Distance learning is the new way to go back to school!” he said excitedly!

“Oh great, I thought. Now he’s going to spend thousands of dollars and two years of his time on a half baked degree that won’t even be worth the paper it’s written on.” Luckily, I was dead wrong!

Earning a distance learning degree online may seem a bit like responding to one of those television ads for higher education that plays during the late night movie, but it really isn’t. These days almost anyone can earn an associate, bachelor’s and even master’s degree without ever stepping foot in a traditional classroom. That’s great news for the thousands of people out there who want to earn a degree but simply don’t have the freedom to schlep to a college campus several times a week.

Working a fulltime job during the day; teaching a computer programming course once a week at a local high school; and awaiting the birth of a new baby, my husband knew that making it to class on a regular basis, plus studying in his off time was going to be difficult. He also knew that if he wanted the promotion he’d been working toward he couldn’t wait any longer to begin earning that MBA. So, he started researching distance online learning and was pleasantly pleased with what he discovered.

Thanks to a great free website that lists thousands of colleges, universities and their online programs, he was able to choose the perfect one for him – and us. If you're at all thinking about going for an online degree, you have to check it out here. It's completely free and lets you search for any possible degree you can imagine.

First, and foremost, we learned through his experience that earning an online degree is just as good – and legitimate – as earning a traditional degree, with one caveat: the degree program and school you choose MUST be accredited! My husband chose a prominent college across the country which was just beginning their online MBA program. Virtually unknown at the time, it is now one of the most respected and sought after programs in the nation!

One important thing he learned through researching online programs, however, is that they all aren’t equal to their traditional counterparts. Some sport different requirements; different classes; and may even state “online program” on the degree.

The program he chose offered the same exact classes; required the same amount of virtual class time; work and requirements, plus he received the same exact degree someone who attended traditional classes received. No one ever has to know that he attended his classes at 1 am from our spare bedroom, unless he tells them.

When looking for a good program, look for one that mimics the traditional school setting as much as possible. There should be some interactive classes; contact with the professor; similar assignments; and the like, to ensure that you are receiving the same education as everyone else. After all, you’ll be paying the same tuition as traditional students and sometimes even more since you may need to purchase extra textbooks.

Attending classes may have seemed simple on the surface, but as my husband learned, it can be just as difficult to log into a long lecture at night as it is to head off to a regular class. The ability to manage your time is essential to a successful online learning experience. Procrastinators and those who find it difficult to get things done on their own may find this type of school setting difficult – if not impossible.

Another negative aspect of distance learning: there’s more reading for online students than traditional ones. In addition to textbook reading, online students must also “read” their class lectures, unlike others who can sit back and listen to the professor speak during class time. Those who find reading comprehension difficult on their own will find online learning difficult to say the least.

Working on group projects (yes, there are still those group projects), can also be a challenge, since you will never have the opportunity to meet your partners face to face and must work together via a long distance email and phone relationship. This can be very trying when your grade depends on the work of someone who lives 2,000 miles away and who you have no idea whether or not you can trust to get the work done.

While earning an online degree does have its pitfalls and challenges, the benefits are worth it. Imagine my relief, when our daughter was born at having my husband home (although busy studying), on those late nights when she wouldn’t sleep. Maybe he couldn’t log off every time I needed a break, but at least I wasn’t left home alone handling that parenting thing all by myself. And when my husband had a big project do at work, he didn’t have to miss class – he could log in at 7 pm or 2 am, whichever fit his schedule best.

Earning his degree this new fangled way wasn’t any easier (and was sometimes more difficult), but it sure was more convenient for all of us. So, if you’re trying to decide whether or not to go back to school, why not consider earning an online degree? It just may offer the flexibility and convenience you need.