Purchasing Resources for Bachelor's Degree Programs

Online Bachelor's Degree Programs

Online Bachelor's degree programs give you the credentials you need to succeed
By Amy Jo Garner, Consultant 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.

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

• 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.