Distance education can greatly benefit your employees as well as your business. Distance learning programs can afford your employees a more convenient, time-savvy way of accomplishing their educational goals. The time they can save by not traveling to and from school, by attending distance education courses at their leisure, and by being able to do it from anywhere they wish, can translate to higher productivity and loyalty to your company.

A distance learning education can be achieved in many areas of interest and often at a lower cost than attending an actual campus. Online distance education can easily find its way into your employees lives and, with your encouragement, can be done quickly and efficiently. Consider the following toward making the most of distance education:

1. Offering tuition assistance will encourage and motivate your employees to further their education.

2. Different distance education universities offer various programs to appeal to every student.

3. Being flexible while your employees are completing their distance education program will show your commitment to them and their commitment to professional development.

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Offer assistance for your employees to complete distance learning degrees

Although distance learning companies often cost less, that doesn't mean your employees necessarily have the extra income to cover the costs. Offering a tuition assistance or reimbursement program will add extra motivation for your employees to look into a distance education college. It is important for you to remember that the more knowledge that your employees posses, the better assets they are to your company.

I recommend: It is important to ensure that the online university is accredited like Capella University. AllBusiness.com gives some tips on starting a reimbursement program in your place of business.

Invite distance learning experts and online education companies to speak at your place of business

One of the reasons for employees not to pursue distance learning online, like anything else, is the fear of the unknown. Some people feel that they have to be a whiz at the computer when, in fact, that is not the case. Online education programs are purposefully user friendly so that literally anyone is a candidate. Providing valuable knowledge to your employees about how to attend and where to attend can make their decision making process much more smoothly.

I recommend: American Intercontinental University offers Associate, Bachelor and Master programs -- all online. Western Governors University also offers many diverse distance education programs.

Offer flex-time or a redesigned schedule while your employees are in a distance education program

To really show your support for your employees seeking out distance education, offer revised schedules to make the time that they are in school that much easier. Consider letting them work fewer days with more hours or taking a half of a day off if they work one more hour each day the rest of the week. If it is easier for your employees to find the time to do the work, they will likely enjoy and take more away from the program that they can then apply to your company.

I recommend: Entrepreneur.com offers reasons why flex-time can make your employees more productive. Just Colleges discusses why the accessibility and flexibility make distance learning appealing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Suggest to your employees to try one of the distance education courses at a time to ease into the program if they are apprehensive about going back to school.

Distance education universities have become one of the hottest trends in education and they make getting a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree more convenient than ever. Many brick and mortar universities have jumped in with their own online or other distance education courses. Online courses and degree programs offer a number of benefits to individuals, particularly those who are already working full-time or have other responsibilities. They include:

1. Flexible scheduling so you can begin distance learning courses throughout the year.
2. Accelerated programs to help you finish your degree faster.
3. No set class times or locations so you can work when and where it’s convenient.
4. Training from individuals with real life experience in the field.

With all the choices in distance education universities available, however, it can be overwhelming to make a decision about which one is right for you.

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Assess whether distance education is right for you

To succeed with a distance education program, you need to have a great deal of self-motivation and accountability. Although the programs are convenient, you must finish the courses to obtain your degree. If you think this may be a troublesome area for you, look into local universities that offer distance education courses in addition to traditional ones for extra accountability and structure.

I recommend: Search for distance education courses and programs in the area you are interested in. Talk with an academic adviser at Penn State University’s World Campus for more information on whether distance learning is right for your personality and situation. Penn State also has some helpful tips on choosing an online university. The University of Idaho provides an explanation of distance education, comparisons to traditional classrooms and resources for knowing whether it’s for you or not. Some distance education universities, like the University of Maryland University College, also sponsor open houses or events where you can talk to admission advisors.

Find accredited distance education universities that offer the degree you want

Many distance education programs exist, but not all are created equal. Look for accreditation in any online university that you are considering. This way you know that you'll be getting a solid education in the area you choose and that your degree will be recognized by the outside world when you finish.

I recommend: The University of Phoenix is one of the largest online providers for distance education. Although they do not offer all of the degree programs that you’d find at most local universities, they have many business degrees, including an MBA program online. Walden University has a number of online degree programs and, like the University of Phoenix, is listed as an accredited university by the U.S. Department of Education

Review the requirements for each distance education program

Each distance education program will have its own set of requirements for admission and completion of a degree. If you choose to attend an online program through a brick and mortar university, you may find restrictions on the number of distance education courses you can count towards a degree, for example. Knowing the exact requirements that you need for your degree will help you avoid problems later on.

I recommend: Even prestigious schools, such as Harvard University, now offer distance education courses. You can enroll in a distance education degree program at Harvard or choose a course or two that will transfer to a local university. Other distance education universities, such as Ashworth University, Boston University, and the University of Maryland University College have varying requirements.

Talk to present and past students in a distance education program

Distance education universities often have flashy websites and brochures to entice you to sign up. By talking to other students or those who have completed their degree about the program, you can get the nitty-gritty details. Find out what credentials the instructors have, how the courses are structured and other information that's not going to appear in the brochures.

I recommend: Visit the eLearners Forum where you can talk to present and former students of online universities. You can also contact a distance learning program, like Tulane University Freeman School of Business, for more information or to ask specific questions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before applying to a specific distance education program, find out what forms of financial aid may be available if money is a concern. Most distance education universities will have financial aid advisors to help you. Distance education can be more expensive than taking local classes, even at the same university, so you'll want to be prepared.
• •  Keep in mind that many universities allow individuals to take classes without seeking a degree. If you want specialized training or knowledge in a particular area, this can be a way to get it.

Saving money on distance education is a concern for students attending classes and employers offering tuition reimbursements and other incentives. While online courses are often less expensive than traditional college and university classroom courses, the cost can be enough to dissuade students from taking courses or finishing a degree. Offering ideas to help reduce costs can give your employees the tools they need to keep up with their education.

The costs of distance learning education include tuition as well as other expenses, like books and supplies. While it's usually has fewer expenses -- such as room and board -- than a brick and mortar institution, some programs cost as much as a traditional degree. To determine whether online distance education is the cheapest alternative and find ways to save on education:

1. Use calculators and comparisons to compare the cost of distance education to other alternatives;

2. Find scholarships to save on tuition costs;

3. Look for ways to save on textbooks and supplies.

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Compare the cost of a distance education program to traditional education

Today's online learning programs offer a wide range of subjects, classes and degrees. They add the convenience of learning from home or work, and are often less expensive -- especially since students save on expenses like room and board, transportation and eating out. However, an online learning program may not always be the lowest cost alternative. Check into classes at local colleges and trade schools before deciding to go with an online school. Compare programs and costs to make sure the online program has what you need at an affordable price.

I recommend: College Board features an article that gives general price ranges for various types of colleges and programs. Discover some hidden savings of distance learning with calculators from the State University of New York and Palm Beach Community College. Look for other ways to save on online education with Distance-Education.

Find scholarships for distance learning degrees

Many online degree programs are eligible for scholarships. Do a thorough search when looking for scholarship opportunities. Even small scholarships can help to defray the cost of education.

I recommend: Scholarships lists funding available for traditional and distance education courses. FastWeb offers information about finding and applying for scholarships for various programs of study. GetEducated provides articles and resources about scholarships for online degrees.

Save on the textbooks needed for distance learning online

Textbooks can be an enormous -- and often overlooked -- expense. The challenge of paying for textbooks is usually the same for someone attending a distance education college as it is for a traditional student. Cut down on the expense by finding ways to save on textbooks.

I recommend: PDX Books has a searchable database of used books that can be purchased online. IChapters from Cengage Learning allows you to search for the best price on needed textbooks and allows you to buy just the chapters you need. Chegg can save you money by allowing you to rent instead of purchase textbooks. Smart Money offers tips about saving on textbooks.

Distance education has steadily gained a foothold in the United States. Immediately popular among foreign students who wanted to study in the United States but without the transportation and lodging expenses, this convenient method of learning is now becoming equally popular among business professionals who want to continue their education while holding full time jobs. However, some have questioned the comparative value of distance learning and whether employers will hire distance learning graduates. Here's an overview of distance education key terms that address some of these concerns.

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Advantages

From the beginning, the advantages of distance learning as opposed to traditional, on-campus programs were obvious to some but not to others.

I recommend: The U.S. Journal of Academics puts some of these concerns to rest. Read its list of advantages, particularly in terms of the quality of distance education. Find out why distance learning holds special advantages to foreign students and those with limited access to transportation.

Accreditation

Public and private schools in the United States that offer distance learning are seeking regional accreditation to attract more students.

I recommend: Go to Capella University's site to find out what types of distance learning programs offered by any undergraduate or graduate school are likely to receive accreditation.

Professional development

Some graduate schools offer a distance learning program that is geared to business professionals seeking professional development.

I recommend: Find out exactly what classes in professional development are provided by distance learning schools like the University of Phoenix. The school's web site also explains how to get CEUs-continuing education units-so you can demonstrate to prospective employers that you've completed an accredited program of professional development classes.

Effectiveness

Hand in hand with the advantages of distance learning have been questions concerning the effectiveness of these self-paced learning classes.

I recommend: Check out the teacher's guide to distance learning by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology. The manual identifies research studies demonstrating the effectiveness of distance learning as opposed to traditional instruction.

Distance learning MBA

A distance learning MBA refers to one of the graduate degrees you can get after completing distance education courses.

I recommend: Distance Learning Net offers tips to those contemplating a distance learning MBA, such as researching the companies you'd like to work for to make sure they'll accept this degree-before you register to take those classes. It also tells you how to pick the right distance learning MBA program.

International Center for Distance Learning Research and Praxis

This organization supports research on the effectiveness and influence of distance learning programs in the United States.

I recommend: Go to the United States Distance Learning Association website to learn about its research focus, how it works to strengthen the ties between distance education research and practices and how it encourages best practices among its members.