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Last updated: Monday, March 22, 2010
Online Degrees Help Moms Re-Enter Workforce

Many parents across the country are being faced with financial hardships that have caused them to rethink their career options. The economic downturn has resulted in thousands of stay-at-home moms making the decision to re-enter the workforce in order to help keep their families afloat financially.

According to the Washington Post, there’s a gender gap in the nation’s unemployment rate, which stands at 10 percent for men and 7.9 percent for women. In addition, male-dominated industries such as construction and manufacturing have been hit hard by the recession, while industries typically dominated by women such as healthcare and education have seen job growth, despite the economy.

Many mothers contemplating a move back into the workforce are turning to online colleges and degree programs to increase their marketability in a competitive work environment.
Experts say moms who choose to go back to school to expand their career options should consider a few things before enrolling. Making sure their online college is accredited is important, as is the type of degree program they choose. Juggling family obligations with school requirements can be difficult if these students enroll in a program that’s not right for them.

Some online college programs – known as synchronous programs – require students to log on at designated times each week, often at the same time a professor and other students are logged on and completing coursework as well. While these classes are preferred by many since they feel like they’re a part of a “real” class, they may be challenging for some parents with time constraints. Other online colleges – known as asynchronous colleges – allow students to fulfill their classroom study time on their own schedule taking all their college courses online.

There are also many financial aid opportunities for moms.  For instance, Pell Grants are great single mother grants because they are awarded based on financial need.  There are are also many other scholarships and grants that moms can take advantage of, such as state grants.

Enrolling in an online degree program does take some research, but many parents who have completed them say the convenience and other benefits make them the preferred method of education for busy adults.

By Education Connection | 12 Comments Leave a Comment

Comments

12 comments
  1. Education Connection Blog» Blog Archive » Online Degrees Help Moms … - Online Distance Degree
    March 22, 2010

    [...] original here: Education Connection Blog» Blog Archive » Online Degrees Help Moms … Tags: career, college, college-courses-online, education, home, Online Degrees, [...]

    Leave a reply
  2. Carrie
    April 20, 2010

    This information has been so helpful! I am a single mom that has wanted to earn my bachelors to help better my life, and my daughters. Thank you so much for all of the information you have provided.

    Leave a reply
  3. sandyb
    June 22, 2010

    This is a really good hub. I have been home taking care of my baby for two years and now I am going to start on an online degree!

    Leave a reply
  4. Lynn Bybe
    July 5, 2010

    I am a single mom who has been workng for the last three years in a hair salon in order to take care of my family. I really want to get my degree and start working somewhere that I can have benefits and make a better income. Would online school be a good choice?

    Leave a reply
  5. carrie
    July 14, 2010

    I am so pleased with this information. I have been considering going back to school for my teaching degree, but could not figure out how to do it. I never even considered doing it online. Can you get your entire teaching degree online?

    Leave a reply
  6. evelyn rossy
    July 18, 2010

    I have been thinking aout going back to school to complete my degree and become a teacher. Online college seems to take some of the scariness out of going back after not being in school for 15 years. I am going to try it.

    Leave a reply
  7. Patrica Bell
    November 20, 2010

    I am a second grade teach and have been for 3 years. I just found out that if I take some more classes and get extra credits I will get a promotion. Can I take these classes online?

    Leave a reply
  8. Johnny Jones
    November 20, 2010

    I am interested in taking some courses in technology to enhance my position at work. Can I get financial aid to pay for it?

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  9. Education Connection
    January 12, 2011

    Hey Carrie, you can get great info about online teaching degrees here.

    Leave a reply
  10. Vinnie
    February 21, 2011

    My wife’s sister is a single mother who’s been trying to get back to school after dropping out. I’ll definitely show her this article!

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  11. Education Connection
    July 19, 2011

    Hello Johnny. Are you interested in only taking a few classes or getting a certificate?

    Leave a reply
  12. Education Connection
    July 19, 2011

    Hi Patricia. Which courses do you need to take? They may be available online, but until we know what courses they are I cannot provide an exact answer.

    Leave a reply

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