Online universities boast flexible scheduling and many degree options

Online universities boast flexible scheduling and many degree options

Working adults, parents and other nontraditional students who wish to return to school may be inhibited by the cost, transportation and time issues associated with higher education. However, many online universities seek to solve these problems by offering lower tuition rates, flexible scheduling and zero transportation responsibilities to students who wish to earn a degree.

Web-based programs exist for adults seeking associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees. Schools such as Capella University frequently launch new course offerings and degree options to better serve the needs of nontraditional students.

For example, the school recently announced the launch of 11 new online educational programs. This includes a reading and literacy specialization within Capella's doctor of education program, which was developed to help meet the growing demand for teachers with this expertise. The university is also offering a joint master's degree in public administration and public safety, which prepares public service professionals to develop innovative solutions to challenges related to these fields. The program is more cost-effective and timely than enrolling in and completing two separate master's degrees.

The school also offers an online dual bachelor's/master's degree program that provides students with the opportunity to begin taking graduate-level courses while they are pursuing their undergraduate degree. These options include healthcare management/health administration, public safety/public administration and psychology/education.

Approximately 4.6 million students were enrolled in at least one online course last fall, according to a 2009 survey by the Sloan Consortium.

By Mark Danson