Online Schools Increasing Alternatives to Four-Year Degrees
Virginia College Online is tailoring their options to meet the increasing need for four-year degrees.
[USPRwire, Sun Sep 30 2007] Although four year degrees are still popular for online students, there is an increasing interest in alternatives that are a better fit for returning students and those who don't have time or money for a bachelor's degree. Virginia College Online is tailoring their options to meet this increasing need. These new programs, including two-year associate degrees, fill a definite need in today's workforce.
Why Alternatives Are Needed
A generation ago, most students went to college for four years and then began a career that lasted until retirement. Today's economy has created new needs and new career paths that require changes in how individuals learn. Today, many careers and jobs change so rapidly that continuing education is essential in order to stay current with changes in the workforce. There are also many students who attend online schools while they are working in order to get a degree that will help them either get a promotion or change careers. These students prefer two-year programs that get them where they want to go quicker and with less time wasted on classes that aren't essential to their careers. They may not be interested in any classes that don't relate directly to their work, and hesitate to spend the money for these non-essential courses.
Dr. Fawzi Ben Messaoud, Senior Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Virginia College Online explains, “Many students are better served by only taking classes that focus on preparation for a specific job or career. They always have the option of returning to school to seek an advanced degree and a more well-rounded education, such as the ones we offer at Virginia College Online, and they can do so after they are already working in their new chosen field.”
Online Schools Offer Alternatives
Although you can pursue alternatives to a four year degree in some locations, the majority of traditional colleges and universities still stress four year degrees. Online schools tend to offer a wider range of options, including associate degrees and certificate programs. The appeal of these online schools is growing every year due to the variety of alternative programs, the flexibility of studying whenever and wherever it's convenient and the reasonable cost.
Dr. Messaoud notes, “The online associate degree is also a good intermediate point that dramatically increases earning power. A study by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that individuals with an associate degree made about $7,200 more each year than those with only a high school diploma. Getting an associate degree is a great way to increase your income quickly without having to put your life on hold for a full four years.” Visit http://www.vconline.edu for more information.
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