Frequently Asked Questions about Online Education
Beginning an online education can be an exciting, scary, and confusing process. These are the most commonly asked questions regarding Minnesota Online Education:
Will I Be Able to Get Financial Aid?
In the past, federal financial aid would only be granted to individuals that went to colleges that taught at least half of their students at a traditional campus. In 2006, this "50/50 Rule" was lifted, so now students that attend any accredited educational institution can receive federal financial aid.
What Kind of Degree Can I Get Online?
Many schools offer degree programs ranging from the Associate's to the Master's level. A few institutions also offer PhD programs online. Many online universities also offer professional certificate programs. You can get your degree in a wide variety of fields, including business, computer technology, liberal arts, health care, and criminal justice.
Will My Degree Come From an Accredited Institution?
Sadly, some online universities only exist to take money and print worthless pieces of paper. These are called "diploma mills." Before you sign up for classes, be sure that your university is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency that the US Department of Education recognizes.
Will I Be Taught By a Real Professor?
Most online universities require their faculty to have Masters or Doctorate degrees to be able to teach classes. Many also train their staff specifically in how to teach a class online. Online instructors often develop their own courses, and are usually professionals in their fields.
Can I Transfer Credits to an Online University
Each university is different, but many accept transfer credits from other accredited institutions. You may also be able to receive credit for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) tests you have taken.
How Long Will it Take To Earn a Degree
The length of time to earn your degree varies between degree programs and even among different universities. A motivated student can often earn their degree in a faster amount of time than at a traditional university. Traditional students typically take four years to earn a bachelor's degree, but many online students can complete their degree in two or three years.
Do I Need to go to Any Classes in Person?
Every university is different. Although many universities offer courses that can be completed completely online, many universities do require that you attend a class or two at their local campuses. Even if a university typically does not have an attendance requirement, some individual courses may have one.
What Do I Need to Attend College at Home?
You will probably need to have your own computer and an internet connection. Some universities will require you to install software from their web site, which would make it difficult to complete your coursework at your local library. You may also need to make telephone calls to your professor. Your computer should be fairly up-to-date, as some of the software that you will need to run may not work on older systems.
Is an Online Degree as Good as a Traditional Degree?
As long as your degree is accredited, most employers will give your online degree the same credibility that they would a traditional degree, although some still give more weight to a traditional degree. Many employers encourage their employees to continue their education through online coursework, and even help to fund it.
Will Getting a Degree Help My Career?
Most people will definitely see a career benefit from getting a degree. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Commerce, an employee with a Bachelor's degree will make 98% more during their lifetime, and an employee with a Master's Degree will make 170% more.
