When it comes to higher education, US colleges and universities have a wide variety of distance learning programs. While there are many famous Ivy League institutions and significant public research universities in the US, many small liberal arts colleges offer a more flexible environment for distance learners. While most international students choose to enroll in one of the colleges’ in-person programs, a growing number are choosing to take advantage of the convenience of online education.
The number of undergraduate students taking distance education courses has grown rapidly. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCEES), nearly ten percent of students took a distance course during the first half of 2019. This number has remained high over the past two decades, rising from 2.4 million in 1999 to 2.2 million in 2020. Although the percentage of distance learners is still small, it is still higher than the number of students enrolling in traditional programs.
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a highly regarded college in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1885 and has a prestigious reputation for research and innovation. Its online distance learning programs are equally acclaimed, and the course requirements are the same as those taken in-person. Distance students can even earn a doctorate degree at Georgia Tech. Regardless of their choice, online distance learning programs can help them reach their educational goals and achieve their career goals.
Most of the schools offering distance learning courses charge tuition for all online courses. These fees include student activity fees and campus fees. Some online colleges charge a technology fee, which covers access to virtual learning platforms and technical support. Students also need to budget for the cost of a reliable computer and high-speed internet connection. Students can also save money on textbooks by buying used or digital copies. However, many programs do have in-person components that cannot be completed online.
Penn State University first offered distance training in 1892. Until 1998, distance learning was conducted through correspondence. Today, Penn State’s Penn State World Campus is an excellent online platform for distance education. The university has over 630,000 graduates worldwide. Although distance learners are not required to “visit” online lectures, they can schedule individual classes. Penn State also partners with Laureate Online Education to offer 41 online programs.
Distance learning from accredited institutions offers students a number of advantages over traditional classroom-based study. Online degrees provide students with an opportunity to experience an American education system while meeting and networking with students from all over the world. Moreover, students can learn at their own pace, and take breaks when they need them. And since American universities are renowned and respected worldwide, online degrees are just as good as their on-campus counterparts.
While for-profit institutions have been the earliest to embrace Internet technology, many public institutions have also embraced it. Popular areas of study include business, psychology, criminal justice, computer science, design, and health sciences. Due to its convenience and affordability, distance learning has become an increasingly popular method for education and training among busy professionals. Moreover, students can study from home or on the go. However, to be successful at this type of learning, students need to have good time management skills.
