It’s important to have a good understanding of the expectations and commitment required to successfully earn a degree online before starting your education.
Most notably, being aware of the support structure at the university will be essential. Online students may interact with support staff via videoconferencing, phone, email or other means. If you are planning to pursue an online degree, here are five questions you should consider asking the online school’s enrollment adviser as you compare programs.
[Discover questions to ask about student services in online degree programs.]
1. How can I tackle work, life and school all at the same time? Earning a degree online may seem daunting, particularly for students who also work full-time jobs or have parental responsibilities. Year after year, how to juggle everything is one of the most common questions I hear from new students.
Carving out dedicated study hours each week will help students in online degree programs stay on top of their assignments. Find a school that prioritizes student support, especially for online students, with coaches and advisers to help you avoid falling behind.
For example, ASU Online at Arizona State University has a dedicated Success Center with coaches who give advice, help students master time management and suggest ways to connect with classmates.
2. What if I need technical support? Most online programs have resources to help you plug in and stay connected to the technology you will use. They may require installing new programs on your computer and learning how to use unfamiliar tools.
The upside is that as technology continues to evolve, so do online program capabilities. Students should expect to have a plethora of tools and the proper technical support needed to master them, whether digital libraries, career services or online tutoring. ASU Online has a 24/7 chat feature with our help desk agents, for example. An enrollment adviser can fill you in on available technical support and offer insight that will allay your worries.
3. What type of orientation is offered for the online program? Before you start classes , ask your enrollment adviser if the university has a formal orientation process for online students.
For example, step-by-step video tutorials are available as an introduction to ASU’s online student environment and related resources. Prospective students can also receive real-time tips from faculty and current students about how to succeed.
4. How can I get involved in the larger university community? Often, students earning their degree online want to feel connected to their school and classmates. Consider asking your enrollment adviser about the resources available to help you access university activities, regardless of where you are.
[Explore ways to build a campus network as an online student.]
ASU Online offers a variety of social media groups for students to stay up to date on events and chat with fellow students. Groups may be created for specific classes, majors and areas of interest.
5. How much time should I expect to dedicate to earning my degree? Common misconceptions of online degree programs are that they are easy to complete or take less time than traditional college classes. However, that is not the case.
At ASU Online, courses are structured in seven-and-a-half week sessions rather than 14-week semesters. For one session, a student should expect to spend six hours a week on coursework for every course credit. This may vary by school, so clarify with your enrollment adviser how much time will be required.
The takeaway: Ensuring you have a strong understanding of the time commitment required, the courses available, student support and opportunities to get involved will make your online learning experience worthwhile.
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Ask an Adviser 5 Questions Before Starting an Online Program originally appeared on usnews.com
