Source: Yahoo
With the right dental hygiene degree program, you can begin to
explore the rich world of dentistry before you head out to pick the kids
up from school or after you clock out of work for the day.
Why Online: While you might fear that learning skills that require direct contact with another human being isn't possible online, consider this: "Many schools are making procedural videos more available for students to view at their own convenience," says Bonk. "Not getting to meet face-to-face to learn how to deal with teeth issues could be problematic if there weren't instructional step-by-step classes taped for students to understand concepts better."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Dental Hygiene Program.
What You Can Expect: The field of dental hygiene challenges students to understand how to treat tooth decay and mouth injuries, according to the College Board. Plus, dental hygiene programs typically teach the basics of preventive dentistry.
Potential Career:* Dental hygienist
A paralegal studies program may entail a high workload, so if you
have a lot going on, you might want to consider an online degree
program, where you can work at your own pace.
Why Online: "When you get into things where you have to learn about procedures, laws, rules - like [you do] with paralegal studies - those are things that can be embedded in online classes pretty readily," Bonk says. "Paralegal courses are often text-heavy, which are easier to put up online and allows students to review on their own accord."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Paralegal Studies Program.
What You Can Expect: Paralegal studies students are often engaged in coursework that includes legal research and writing, law office administration, and criminal law and procedure, the College Board says. They prepare to assist attorneys with their cases loads in various specialties, such as intellectual property or real estate law.
Potential Career:* Paralegal
Are you one of those busy adults who spend their days planning and
coordinating various events, whether it's kids' after school activities
or a local charity drive? Studying for a degree in health care
administration may tie into skills you already have.
Why Online: "In health care administration, students take more theory-driven courses, which includes learning about procedures, operations, management, leadership skills, and ethics - all of which are easier to create online than a hands-on laboratory experiment," Bonk says. "Learning about real world cases and scenarios in [health care administration] such as the impact of HIPAA**, helps students understand materials quicker as well."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Health Care Administration Program.
What You Can Expect: Health services administration students learn to oversee health care facilities and services, says the College Board. Instruction in policy making, financial management, and human resources is likely.
Potential Career:* Medical or Health Services Manager
The nice thing about your home computer is that it's usually ready
when you are; you don't need to schedule time with a university to use
it, and working on a computer science degree solely on a computer makes
sense.
Why Online: "Studying things like computer science is great for online learning, because it includes objective skills that can be systematically tested and measured by a computer system itself," Bonk says. "Plus, students gain skills that are highly valued and immediately relevant in the workplace."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Computer Science Program.
What You Can Expect: The College Board states that computer science programs might include instruction in computer programming and software design. Understanding how humans interact with computer systems is also a part of this degree.
Potential Careers:* Software Developer, Computer Programmer
Understanding how to manage a business may sound daunting, but you
may find that pairing online classes with your busy schedule is helpful
for successful organization and time management.
Why Online: According to Alex Chisholm, the director of statistical analysis for the Graduate Management Admission Council, the online environment is a good fit for the direction business is heading. "As more companies expand and do business internationally, operations are increasingly being conducted digitally," Chisholm says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Business Administration Program.
What You Can Expect: In most business programs, students will take courses including finance, economics, management, and organizational behavior, in order to get an overview of the major business areas, according to the Princeton Review.
Potential Careers:* Securities, Commodities, or Financial Services Sales Agent; Financial Analyst
If education is your field of interest, moving into a supervisory
role can be the perfect next step, and an online master's program can be
just the way to prepare for this endeavor.
"Working full-time as a teacher or a counselor or as a school principal and getting retooled with these online opportunities is an extremely attractive option to furthering a career in education," Bonk says.
Why Online: Teachers looking to further their careers may enjoy the online education world as they maintain their jobs while learning about new concepts and philosophies that could help them within their own face-to-face classrooms.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Education Leadership Program.
What You Can Expect: The Princeton Review states that master's students studying educational leadership should be ready to learn about leadership theory, educational policy, and curriculum studies. They may also receive training in areas like educational technology and athletics administration.
Potential Career:* Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal
These degrees can be a great option for people on the go.
You probably realize that a college degree could mean more job
opportunities, but with obligations to work, family, and the community,
you may not be able to attend classroom lectures on a set schedule.
If you're always on the go but looking to further your education, pursuing an online program may be a great choice.
"For most people, the benefits of studying for an online degree
include convenience, flexibility, and choice in terms of class timing,"
says Curt Bonk, instructional systems technology professor at Indiana
University and expert in online learning. "Perhaps the biggest plus with
online learning is that you don't have to sacrifice being away from
your current job."
Online education isn't for everyone, and there are tremendous
benefits to on-campus learning, but if that just isn't an option for
you, the online road can provide your path.
Here are several online degree programs busy adults could pursue from their personal computers on their own time.
Degree #1: Associate's in Dental Hygiene
Find Degree Programs
With the right dental hygiene degree program, you can begin to
explore the rich world of dentistry before you head out to pick the kids
up from school or after you clock out of work for the day.Why Online: While you might fear that learning skills that require direct contact with another human being isn't possible online, consider this: "Many schools are making procedural videos more available for students to view at their own convenience," says Bonk. "Not getting to meet face-to-face to learn how to deal with teeth issues could be problematic if there weren't instructional step-by-step classes taped for students to understand concepts better."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Dental Hygiene Program.
What You Can Expect: The field of dental hygiene challenges students to understand how to treat tooth decay and mouth injuries, according to the College Board. Plus, dental hygiene programs typically teach the basics of preventive dentistry.
Potential Career:* Dental hygienist
Degree #2: Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Find Degree Programs
A paralegal studies program may entail a high workload, so if you
have a lot going on, you might want to consider an online degree
program, where you can work at your own pace.Why Online: "When you get into things where you have to learn about procedures, laws, rules - like [you do] with paralegal studies - those are things that can be embedded in online classes pretty readily," Bonk says. "Paralegal courses are often text-heavy, which are easier to put up online and allows students to review on their own accord."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Paralegal Studies Program.
What You Can Expect: Paralegal studies students are often engaged in coursework that includes legal research and writing, law office administration, and criminal law and procedure, the College Board says. They prepare to assist attorneys with their cases loads in various specialties, such as intellectual property or real estate law.
Potential Career:* Paralegal
Degree #3: Bachelor's in Health Care Administration
Find Degree Programs
Are you one of those busy adults who spend their days planning and
coordinating various events, whether it's kids' after school activities
or a local charity drive? Studying for a degree in health care
administration may tie into skills you already have.Why Online: "In health care administration, students take more theory-driven courses, which includes learning about procedures, operations, management, leadership skills, and ethics - all of which are easier to create online than a hands-on laboratory experiment," Bonk says. "Learning about real world cases and scenarios in [health care administration] such as the impact of HIPAA**, helps students understand materials quicker as well."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Health Care Administration Program.
What You Can Expect: Health services administration students learn to oversee health care facilities and services, says the College Board. Instruction in policy making, financial management, and human resources is likely.
Potential Career:* Medical or Health Services Manager
Degree #4: Bachelor's in Computer Science
Find Degree Programs
The nice thing about your home computer is that it's usually ready
when you are; you don't need to schedule time with a university to use
it, and working on a computer science degree solely on a computer makes
sense.Why Online: "Studying things like computer science is great for online learning, because it includes objective skills that can be systematically tested and measured by a computer system itself," Bonk says. "Plus, students gain skills that are highly valued and immediately relevant in the workplace."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Computer Science Program.
What You Can Expect: The College Board states that computer science programs might include instruction in computer programming and software design. Understanding how humans interact with computer systems is also a part of this degree.
Potential Careers:* Software Developer, Computer Programmer
Degree #5: Master's in Business Administration
Find Degree Programs
Understanding how to manage a business may sound daunting, but you
may find that pairing online classes with your busy schedule is helpful
for successful organization and time management.Why Online: According to Alex Chisholm, the director of statistical analysis for the Graduate Management Admission Council, the online environment is a good fit for the direction business is heading. "As more companies expand and do business internationally, operations are increasingly being conducted digitally," Chisholm says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Business Administration Program.
What You Can Expect: In most business programs, students will take courses including finance, economics, management, and organizational behavior, in order to get an overview of the major business areas, according to the Princeton Review.
Potential Careers:* Securities, Commodities, or Financial Services Sales Agent; Financial Analyst
Degree #6: Master's in Educational Leadership
Find Degree Programs
If education is your field of interest, moving into a supervisory
role can be the perfect next step, and an online master's program can be
just the way to prepare for this endeavor."Working full-time as a teacher or a counselor or as a school principal and getting retooled with these online opportunities is an extremely attractive option to furthering a career in education," Bonk says.
Why Online: Teachers looking to further their careers may enjoy the online education world as they maintain their jobs while learning about new concepts and philosophies that could help them within their own face-to-face classrooms.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Education Leadership Program.
What You Can Expect: The Princeton Review states that master's students studying educational leadership should be ready to learn about leadership theory, educational policy, and curriculum studies. They may also receive training in areas like educational technology and athletics administration.
Potential Career:* Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal