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The Pro's and Con's of Online Degrees

July 22, 2008 by Brian Rubin

Like nearly anything, there are pro's and con's to getting an online degree through an accredited school like Kaplan University Online. First, we will look at some of the con's. The biggest thing you will miss out when pursuing an online degree is the social aspect of going to an actual, physical college. Online schools try to bridge this gap by having forums, chat rooms and the like, but they can't take the place of actually, physical face time with other students and professors.

Another con is the lack of hands-on training, either in a classroom or in a laboratory. This can limit the college degree programs offered at online universities, which therefore limits students' choices. If students are looking for degrees in certain professions that require lab work or other types of hands-on instruction, distance learning simply cannot offer it. This is a shame, but it's also the nature of the beast. What you gain in getting an online degree comes at a price, but whether this price is worth it is only something you can determine.

Some of the pro's of getting an online hopefully make up for some of the con's. These include flexibility, which allows you to take classes when they fit within your schedule. This means that even if you're a busy working adult or parent with a very hectic schedule, you can still fit in college courses that will allow you to get a degree.

Another pro is convenience. Online degrees can be acquired by taking classes in your own home or wherever else a computer is located. This allows you to gain the knowledge and experience of acquiring a college degree in your own pace. This alone is one reason many choose to get their college degrees online.

These are a few of the pro's and con's of getting an online degree. Once you decide to get a college degree, we hope you will seriously consider getting an online degree at one of our partner schools so that you can move your career and personal goals forward.