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.
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?
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!
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?
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?
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.
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?
June 22, 2010
I am taking my online courses and am doing pretty well. However, I am taking a course now that I am having a bit of trouble with. is there anywhere I can go to get help?
June 22, 2010
What a great idea. Can I sign up online as well?
June 27, 2010
I agree that online degrees are a great gift to working adults who have other responsibilities. Has anyone ever done a study to find out what kind of success most of these people achieve after completing online school?
July 2, 2010
I have not been to school in 20 years and have a great job in a federal government office. I want to go back to school and get my bachelors degree but I am frightened about starting again. Is online school going to make it easier?
July 2, 2010
Online school sounds so good, but I am concerned about being serious about it. I am usually easily swayed by my friends asking me to go out. Do you have any suggestions to help keep me focused?
July 14, 2010
I think online school is the only way to go for people who work. I find it so convenient to be able to work all day, then go home and do my classwork after dinner and on the weekends.
July 18, 2010
Going to school online is the only way to go. No wasting time and gas getting to campus, and all of my time spend studying. Love it.
July 27, 2010
I love going to school online. I graduated from hs and was not successful going away to college. Now I am working and only taking a couple of courses at a time and I have my mom and dad to help if I need. It works so much better for me.
July 29, 2010
I am interested in starting my degree online. Do online courses start at a certain time like regular school? Like is there a fall semester?
August 2, 2010
Does anyone know if there are any special kinds of scholarships specifically for taking classes online?
September 1, 2010
I have been working on getting my degree online. It is really great to be able to come home after work and take my classes from the comfort of my living room. I agree that you need to be really disciplined to keep up with your assignments and tests. But I was wondering if there is a tutoring central website for online students?
October 14, 2010
I’ve got a lot of obligations and have no time for commuting to campus 20 miles away. Online school is a huge draw for me since I can focus on my part time job and education when I’m at home after work.
November 4, 2010
I have been working at a job that I do not love for 9 years. I always want to be a teacher, but needed to work to support my kids and did not have time to go back to school. Now I am going to get my teaching degree online and have continued to work while getting my degree online.
November 4, 2010
I’m working two jobs right now and thanks to this economy it doesn’t look like that will change any time soon. I’ve even had to drop out of college just to make rent. Online degree programs sound like a fantastic way for me to finish up my degree. Thanks for the article!
November 20, 2010
I have been taking classes online to get my accounting degree. I was a littly wary about online school, but now I think it is the best thing ever. I am continuing to work and taking my classes online at night at home.
November 20, 2010
I have been wanting to go back to school, but have small children at home. I have heard of online classes and have considered taking. Is there any way that I can see one online, so that I know what I will be dealing with?
February 16, 2011
As someone who’s had to hold down multiple jobs in order to pay for college, online school is a godsend. Working at my own pace and not having to commute all the time to a campus definitely works in my favor.
February 21, 2011
Hey Cal. If you enroll in an online program and are looking specifically for financial aid that covers your online classes check with your university/college to see what forms of financial aid they have available for students.
February 21, 2011
Hi Andrews. Online courses may not necessarily follow the same regime as on-campus classes. Some courses may be five weeks long, while others eight weeks long. Your class may “start” in the morning, middle of the day or night. Just as on-campus degree programs, the times vary.
March 5, 2011
Distance learning is just really convenient for a majority of working people who want to get their careers back on track.
March 7, 2011
If I decide to switch over from a campus program will I be able to transfer my credits? I really want to go to school online because I can never make it to campus anymore, but I don’t want to lose the credits I already worked so hard for.
July 19, 2011
Hello Jane. Yes, please take a look at the online experience at Education Connection to learn more.
July 20, 2011
Hey Jane, there are many websites available for students who need help with their studies including Piazza, Wolfram Alpha, and more. I’d also recommend trying to ask fellow classmates for help or your professor.