About 53% of high school seniors reported that they plan to go to a four-year college after high school. That’s a 20% decline from a couple of years ago.
They know that a traditional college costs a lot of money and there are other paths to start a career. There are more online education opportunities to learn at your own pace and get a degree.
You can earn a business degree online in two or four years. It seems appealing for a lot of reasons, but is it worth it? How do employers view online programs? Will you be able to start or further your career with an online degree program?
There’s one way to find out. Keep reading find out if online business courses are worth it and how you can find the best program for you.
What Are Your Goals?
The first step in assessing an online program’s worth is to look at your needs and goals. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish by taking online business courses.
Is your goal to earn a degree to start a new career? Do you want to get a degree to earn a promotion?
Also, think about your learning style. Not everyone is suited to online learning. It’s like reading from a digital textbook.
Some people prefer to have the physical book in their hands to highlight text and make notes. They also prefer in-person learning because they’re more engaged.
Online learning also takes discipline. It’s easy to sign up for an online business course and pay for it. At the same time, it’s always easy to let life get in the way when you can log in later.
That’s one of the caveats of learning on your own. You have to make sure you’re ready and committed to doing the work.
Career Options
One concern that prospective students have is how employers view resumes that mention earning a business degree online.
Most employers don’t care about the program. They’re interested in the name of the school, its reputation, and accreditation.
They’re more interested in your experience and your ability to do the job. What you can do is position your resume to address this concern.
Highlight special projects you worked on in the degree program. Mention the skills you gained, whether they’re soft skills like collaboration or technical skills.
A business degree online may be worth it if you choose a school you’ve heard of. Your employer probably heard of it as well. When you evaluate programs, find out what skills and experience you can expect to gain.
Accreditations
Employers care about a school’s accreditation. It’s an important guide to determine the quality of a school. Accreditation sets an educational standard for schools to meet.
Many employers and other institutions don’t view nonaccredited degrees as valid. Enrolling in a nonaccredited school could jeopardize your chances of reaching your career goals after the program.
Which accreditations are important? At the national level, The Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools are the ones to look for.
There are regional accreditation associations such as the Western Association of Schools, Middle States Association of Schools, and Southern Association of Schools.
Accreditations truly matter if you want to transfer your credits to another institution. You may not be able to transfer credits if you attend a program without the right accreditation.
Should You Get a Business Degree Online?
A business degree could mean anything. It’s a very general program in the minds of many people. Depending on your program, you can specialize in a certain industry or aspect of a business.
There are business degree programs that specialize in marketing, accounting, or business finance. Other degree programs focus on leadership, business management, and business administration.
Calcoast.edu is an example of an online school that offers degree programs in healthcare management as well as business administration and marketing.
Revisit your career goals and make sure that enrolling in an online school is the best way to help you obtain those goals.
How to Find the Best Online Education
Did you decide that a business degree online is worth it? Now it’s time to find an online school program that works for you.
We already mentioned a few things to look for, such as degree specializations and accreditations.
Do some online research and make a list of schools to get to know. Check them out online and read the reviews about the school.
Financial aid might have to come into play, depending on the cost of the program. Online degree programs tend to be more affordable than in-learning programs.
They can still be expensive. See if the program offers benefits for veterans or first responders. Then find out if there’s a payment plan for the program.
Online institutions may or may not have payment plans available. They’re not always a part of the federal student loan program, so this may be a consideration.
Do you want to get a sense of what the class experience is like? Schools let prospective students sit in on a class to observe.
You can get a sense of the faculty, the student body, and the subject matter.
If you’re going to school for career advancement, you probably know that it comes down to who you know. An alumni group can help you find job opportunities or connect you with HR managers.
A vast alumni network can be the difference-maker.
A Business Degree Online Is Worth It
There are a lot of myths about online degree programs. The truth is that employers want people who are ready to step into a position and perform at the highest level.
A business degree online is worth it as long as it aligns with your goals and you choose the right school. This guide showed you what to consider in a school.
Be sure to visit the home page of this site for more helpful insights.
