Pros and Cons of an Online College

Distance learning is different from campus-based learning. While it's true that a distance learning program from an accredited online college can be just as valuable as a campus-based degree, it's good to do your homework and make sure online learning is right for you.

Once you have started to make serious considerations for an accredited distance learning school, put some thought into the pros and cons of online education:

Benefits of Online Learning

Flexibility. An online school is tailored to fit your schedule's needs. Rather than selecting your classes and moving your schedule around those times, you can attend your virtual classroom whenever you want. The only thing you have to worry about with an online college is whether or not you are making your due dates for your assignments.

Self-Paced. An online college allows you, to a certain extent, to pick your own pace. If you want to spend more time on a certain subject in the course and less on another subject, there is no syllabus restricting you. You still have to make all of your due dates, though.

Ability to Work or Care for Family. While you are attending an online school, you may stay home and take care of your family, or continue your full-time job. This could be daunting as you try to complete your coursework at the same time you are juggling the rest of your life, but it is much feasible than the campus-based alternative.

Drawbacks of Online Learning

No Face-to-Face Interaction. In an online school, you will meet your peers online, but you will not be able to meet them face-to-face. This will hamper your development of a social and professional network while in college. Discussion boards, chatrooms, and emails make it possible for you to have correspondence with your online class, however.

No Immediate Answers. Online degree programs usually require you to email your professor if you have any questions. In a campus-based program, you would instead be able to walk right up to your teacher and get instant returns for your answers.

Lack of a Rigid Schedule. If you procrastinate, the flexible schedule of an online school could be a mortifying experience. It is even easier in an online program to delay your assignments than a campus-based classroom, as everything you do for the class is homework. This lack of a rigid schedule could be difficult on certain personality types.