Online College
Education Network
(OCEN)
Education : : Future : : Career : : Life : : Knowledge : : Experience
FAQ's
Q.
What types of courses can be taken online?
Online degree programs, trades, college courses
and certificates can all be earned online.
Q. Who are good candidates for online education?
Anyone who wishes to pursue an education online
is a good candidate especially those whose personal
or professional lives conflict with traditional
college schedules.
Q. What are the requirements for an online
education?
The minimum requirement will usually include
a high school or general equivalency diploma.
Q. What are the characteristics of a successful
online learner?
A successful online learner is self-motivated,
computer literate, can manage their time well.
They should work well independently and be able
to communicate well in writing.
Q. How popular are online college courses?
Over four thousand colleges in the U.S. alone
offer students the opportunity to take courses
online.
Q. Can you take online college courses outside
of your own city?
You can choose to apply at any college of your
choice without any geographical concerns that
may have kept you out otherwise. If you have
a job that involves travelling you can continue
your studies from anywhere in the world as long
as you have access to the Internet.
Q. How do I register for online college
courses?
You simply find an online college you would
like to be a part of and apply. There are pre-requisites
for certain courses just like you would find
in a traditional college.
Q. How much does is cost to get an
online college degree?
A. Tuition varies substantially from
one school to another, and even from one degree
to another. Don't expect to pay what you might
for an Ivy League education, but online degrees
can still cost a few thousand dollars. A survey
of several online colleges showed that the average
"class" costs between $900-$1,600 US.
Most degrees are made up of 10-13 classes. Most
degrees then can end up costing about $10,000
to $20,000 when all is accounted for.
This may sound expensive, but remember that
it was reported in that the average college
degree from a traditional school is almost double
this amount.
Source: U.S. Census
Q. Should I attend a traditional school
or take distance courses?
A. One important factor is that it
is simply not possible to study all areas of
interest through an online college degree. Many
of the natural sciences for example, require
laboratory based work and could not be completed
through the Internet. With the study of business
however, it certainly is possible to obtain
a first rate education online. Also take into
consideration some of the issues raised on the
Is it right for me? page. Most of the work is
text based and is to be completed alone, on
a schedule that is up to you to keep with. Be
honest with your working habits when deciding
if this is a good decision.
Q. Do I need any special technology
to attend online courses?
A. All you need is a computer that
is Internet ready and a reliable Internet connection.
Q. How do I know that a degree or
school is reputable and recognized?
A. Check to see that the school and
degree are certified by the governing body that
covers your part of the country. These certifications
should be easy to find on the school's website.
If it is nowhere to be found, the school may
not be entirely reliable.