Online universities: Is it for you?

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Education )



Have you heard of online universities such as university of Arizona online, Phoenix university online, or Strayer university online? Will you consider taking your degree in either of these online universities?

The reasons why you should consider it over traditional schooling in campuses include:

First, studying in online universities may be cheaper compared to campus-based learning;

Second, if you are working then managing your studies will be easier with an online course;

Third, studying online will save you time for research as everything you need to complement your online studies is accessible over the net;

Fourth, you can study in the comforts of your own home, apartment, or anywhere that is to your liking which may prove to be more convenient;

Fifth, if you want a global approach to schooling and you don’t have enough means to go abroad to study, then this may be a good option for you.

This system however is fairly new and admittedly, it still needs to be perfected. Not that traditional campus-based schooling is perfect, but since it has been the method of learning for centuries, its standards for accreditation is built on a more solid foundation.

On the other hand, online universities still has to prove that they are credible source of learning. The standards for accreditation of the curriculum offered online is not as established compared to that of traditional universities.

In addition, finding a credible campus-based university is much easier as compared to trusting sources online. It is also expected that some companies that you might apply to after your degree might have varied responses to your online schooling. Thus, recognition of an online university is still not as widely accepted compared to its traditional counterpart.

Online universities that offer courses to a global student population may not be able to relate the curriculum to your country’s setting. This may be disadvantageous if you as a student fail to understand the lessons due to various culture, language, and background issues and differences. Moreover, application of the things that you learn online to various situations in your country may prove to be difficult.

Ultimately, being open-minded about studying in an online university and carefully weighing its advantages over that of a local campus-based university may prove to be a better option. This however, will depend on your priorities and needs as a student. As with everything in life, there are risks involved---it's up to you to decide if this risk is worth taking.


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