These days, a Bachelor's degree is a practical necessity for a growing number of vocations, and more and more businesses are finding that if one of their key tenured people does not have the required education, it becomes prudent for the employer to invest in sending that individual back to school with Bachelor's degree programs. Online Bachelor's degree programs serve this need, but a manager charged with finding a program will want to check up on Bachelor's degree programs news and trends, which he can do online.

The web offers a range of resources, from help with identifying state or independent online Bachelor's degree programs, to specific guidance on how to spot phonies and avoid fakes when looking for credible e-learning. Readers can find info online for getting solutions:

1. For helping a valued, long-term staff member to earn a bachelors degree to comply with any outside requirements of the industry.

2. For offering quality continuing education programs to workers who sign on for commitments with a company.

3. For investing in executive continued education or for a sole proprietor bachelors degree program to grow a company through extended education.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find online publications covering online Bachelor's degree programs

Some magazines and periodicals have a focus toward distance or online Bachelors degree programs as part of a robust higher ed industry. Use these to get some insight on how to choose college bachelor degree program online options and how to earn a bachelors degree online.

I recommend: Learn a lot about a variety of distance learning and college bachelor degree online options at T.H.E. Journal, an 1105 Media project. Find more relevant to learning, earning a B.A. or other degree, or pursuing certifications online at eLearn Magazine.

Use directory sites for finding online Bachelor's degree programs

If you are looking to compare online Bachelor's degree programs, the list type sites that are maintained by education agencies provide a valued resource with a list of online bachelors degree programs for individual research. Check specific features of each state or independent online Bachelors degree program and make informed selections.

I recommend: Find out about a range of business related online bachelors degree programs for working adults and others from sites like MeritEducation: "The Internet's Premier Career Education and Online Degree Portal." Learn more about online trade school options and other ELearning at Directory of Schools.

Find out about spotting bad online Bachelors degree programs through info sites

Another web resource is the growing 'watchdog' community that helps buyers avoid paying for a fake online Bachelors degree programs. This practice is becoming disturbingly common, and online groups are fighting back to limit this kind of fraud and to protect the education-oriented consumer.

I recommend: Street Directory is just one site that offers articles on how to figure out if a online Bachelor's degree program is bona fide or just a scam. Before investing business dollars in educating a staffer, find more from sites like Counterfeit Degrees: "Fighting the Billion Dollar Scam."

Colleges and universities around the country offer Bachelor's degree programs for working adults who want to complete their college Bachelor's degree online without having to quit their jobs or spend time in the classroom. Online learning can be done from home, a coffee shop, or anywhere else you have an Internet connection.

Bachelor's degree programs in business and criminal justice represent the most popular fields, since online learning lends itself well to subjects that don't require hands-on instruction or laboratory work. In addition, working professionals can sometimes test out of general education courses that don't pertain to their major.

You can enroll in online Bachelor's degree programs to accomplish a number of goals:

1. If you started college but never finished, you can complete your Bachelor's degree.
2. Use an online education to earn a Bachelor's degree and change careers.
3. Get the credentials you need for a promotion or to be recognized as a professional in your field.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide if you're a good candidate for online learning

Sitting at home in your pajamas and logging into class at your leisure sounds like heaven to many potential online students. However, the reality is that it takes discipline and dedication to complete a college Bachelor;s degree online.

I recommend: Take the quiz at OnlineLearning.net to see if you're a good candidate for an online education. Use this guide at eLearners to decide if you're ready to go back to school online.

Choose an online Bachelor's degree program that you can afford

Select your school based on cost, time to complete the degree, and the availability of the degree you want. Expect Bachelor's degree programs to run anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 for a four-year degree.

I recommend: For a four-year business degree, you can't beat the cost of the college Bachelor's degree program online at East Carolina University. Ft. Hays State University specializes in affordable criminal justice degrees. The Dominguez Hills campus of California State University offers undergraduate education online and by cable TV. Arizona State University, Franklin University, the University of Illinois, the University of Massachusetts, Capella University and Boston University are all well-known, accredited universities that have online Bachelor's degree programs. View a list of online bachelor's degree programs at OnlineDegrees.com.

Take your time selecting a Bachelor's degree program

If you go solely on cost or the time it takes to earn a Bachelor's degree, you may find yourself enrolled in a diploma mill. These non-accredited institutions offer bogus college degree programs for adults. A degree from a diploma mill is a waste of money, illegal in some states, and grounds for dismissal for misrepresentation by many employers.

I recommend: Contact the Diploma Mill Police to see if the online Bachelor's degree programs are legitimate. Also, check the school's accreditation with the U.S. Department of Education; only accredited schools qualify for Federal Financial Aid programs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find out if your employer offers a tuition reimbursement plan to help you earn a Bachelor's degree online.
• •  Talk to your family and friends about your plans to go back to school. You'll need their support and understanding as you work on your degree.