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Last updated: Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Busy Students Want Online Education

While many high school graduates are still pursuing postsecondary degrees, the majority of degree seekers are nontraditional students with multiple commitments outside the classroom. Many of these same students say that online education would improve their chances for successful completion of their degrees, according to a new study from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Specifically, results from the study found that more students than ever are working while they pursue a degree. Currently, a total of 45 percent of individuals attending a four-year university work more than 20 hours per week and 23 percent of all college students have dependent children, according to the report.

In fact, researchers found that only 25 percent of today’s degree seekers are traditional students – meaning they attend school full time while living on college campus and hold part-time jobs or work over the summer.

The financial responsibilities of adult life are the primary reason many students do not graduate, as many individuals are forced to postpone their education to begin or maintain full-time employment. In many cases, working students cannot afford the cost and time commitments necessary to complete a full-time degree program.

Study respondents noted they would like to return to school but need flexible, inexpensive learning options, such as those offered by online degree programs. Researchers report 57 percent of students surveyed felt they would be more likely to succeed in a college degree program if institutions of higher learning offered more online courses.

Accordingly, many students are seeking convenient online programs that may help them further their education while they keep up with their career and family commitments.

Comments

7 comments
  1. Randy Pena
    December 16, 2009

    Hi. I read a few of your other posts and wanted to know if you would be interested in exchanging blogroll links?

    Leave a reply
  2. The “College Student of Today” Wants Online Education | Education … Chase on me
    December 21, 2009

    [...] original post here: The “College Student of Today” Wants Online Education | Education … By admin | category: college degrees on line | tags: are-seeking, degree-online, kind, [...]

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  3. Kay
    April 29, 2010

    Online schooling has helped me so much in earning my degree, it is flexible so that I still can work the hours needed at my job and I have a social life, it can’t get any better than this!

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  4. susank
    May 4, 2010

    I currently have a job working in a very busy legal office as a receptionist. Is it realistic to think I could go to school online to become a paralegal and have enough time to do both?

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  5. dale
    May 5, 2010

    How do I prepare for going back to school online? When you attend online, is there tutoring or any kind of help with the work load?

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  6. Education Connection
    May 7, 2010

    Going to school online is the only realistic way of doing this! And it is a great goal – since you already work in a law office, they may help you pay for it and even promote you when you are done! To find a high-quality paralegal program, just follow the link in this blog.

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  7. Tyler
    June 1, 2010

    Thank you for all of the great information. However, are there summer courses available online? What about students that are attending a 4 year college but are home for the summer?

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