If you have some college credits but never finished your degree, you may be wondering what it would take to return to school and finish what you started. At the same time, you might also feel hesitant having to “start over” and spend several more years in school to earn your degree.
The good news? Many schools offer flexible degree completion programs specifically designed for students who have previously completed some college. With a better idea of what these programs entail and how to choose the degree completion program that is right for you, you could prepare to move forward in your educational journey.
An In-Depth Look at the Online Degree Completion Programs
A quick search engine query to “finish my degree fast” or “finish my bachelor’s degree” will yield plenty of results for online degree completion programs. Today, the good news is that there are more options to finish your degree online than ever before. The challenge, of course, is narrowing down your options and choosing the program that may be suited to your individual needs.
The Rise of Online Education in the United States
Although online college classes have been around in some shape or form for a few decades now, online education options in the United States have grown dramatically in the past couple of years. A major factor in this growth was the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many institutions to quickly expand their online offerings. While increased internet access has made remote learning more feasible, colleges have also been gradually investing more in technology and innovations to improve the quality of the online learning experience.
In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 60 percent of undergraduate students in the United States were enrolled in at least one online class in 2021 alone.
What Is a Degree Completion Program?
Have you been wondering, “is it possible for me to finish my degree online?” If so, an online degree completion program could be your answer. Degree completion programs are designed for students who have some college coursework under their belts but did not finish their degree programs for whatever reason. A degree completion program allows students to potentially apply or transfer those previous credits and take additional coursework (usually in an online and flexible format) to finish their degrees.
Evaluating If Online Education Is Right for You
Most degree completion programs are offered exclusively online to make it easier for busy students (including working professionals and those with families to raise) to complete their college coursework on their own schedule. At the same time, these programs could be quite rigorous, so it is important to carefully evaluate whether an online degree completion program may be right for you.
Self-Discipline and Time Management Skills
Since some online degree completion classes are asynchronous, allowing students to work at their own pace, strong self-discipline may be essential to stay on track. Students must also possess excellent time management skills, especially when it comes to juggling the demands of their online schooling with other life obligations. However, it is important to discuss that synchronous classes also exist, requiring real-time participation, which still demands excellent time management skills, especially when it comes to juggling the demands of online schooling with other life obligations.
Technical Requirements and Access
Enrolling in an online degree completion program also means you may need to have access to a reliable computer/laptop and internet connection. Depending on your specific program, you may also need some additional technical equipment, such as a webcam and microphone (if you will have any synchronous online classes). Some programs may also require that you have specific software to complete coursework, such as a word-processing program or image-editing program.
Getting Started With Your Online Degree
If you feel well-suited for the demands of an online degree completion program, there are a few things to keep in mind as you get started.
Choosing the Right Program for Your Needs
First, understand that not all degree completion programs are created equal. Take your time researching your options, looking specifically for a school that offers the degree program you want to complete, whether it is at the associate’s or bachelor’s level. From there, take time to review the program’s curriculum to ensure that the coursework aligns with what you hope to get out of it.
Taking the time to learn more about the faculty and the school’s reputation could also aid in your decision. Online reviews, for instance, could tell you a lot about past students’ experiences in an online program.
Understanding Accreditation and Its Importance
When choosing an online degree completion program, it is crucial to consider its accreditation. Accreditation ensures that a school or program meets certain quality standards and has been evaluated by a recognized, independent agency.
Schools could be accredited by institutional accrediting bodies, with many institutions also holding specialized programmatic accreditation for individual academic programs, such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for nursing programs or the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for early childhood education. Institutional accreditation, granted by entities like the higher learning commission in a state’s region, may also be important as it reflects the overall academic integrity of the school. Be sure to check that the school is accredited in the specific areas relevant to your field of study to ensure the program meets your educational and professional goals.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enrolling in an Online Degree Program
Looking for further guidance regarding choosing and enrolling in an online degree program? Follow these steps to help you get the ball rolling on finishing your degree.
Step 1: Research and Select Your Program
The first and arguably most important step is to choose the degree completion program that is right for you. This decision should be made based on a number of factors, including the format of the program, the cost per credit hour, curriculum and learning outcomes, and accreditation.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application Materials
Once you have selected the program you want to enroll in, you must complete and submit your application. The specific documents you will need to submit with your application could vary from one school to the next but typically include copies of past academic transcripts to ensure that previous credits will transfer. Some schools may also charge an application fee that will need to be paid at the time you submit your application, so plan accordingly to get all materials in by the posted deadline.
Step 3: Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships
Cost is essential for most students returning to school to finish their degrees. Be sure to calculate the approximate costs of your program to help you plan accordingly, then take advantage of all financial aid options that may be available to you. These may be available directly through your school or even through the federal government.
Submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the best ways to determine which Federal loans, grants, and even work-study opportunities you may be eligible for.
Step 4: Register for Courses
Once formally accepted into your degree completion program, you should receive further instructions on how and when to register for your first courses. In deciding your course schedule, be sure to consider whether you want to enroll part-time or full-time. While full-time enrollment will help you complete your degree sooner, it may also mean having more coursework on your plate, so be sure to plan accordingly and consider your other responsibilities here.
Maximizing Your Online Learning Experience
Completing your degree online could be a great way to save the time and hassle of commuting to classes on a physical campus, but there are some tips worth keeping in mind to help you get the most out of the online learning experience.
Effective Study Strategies for Online Learners
First, even if you are not required to attend live classes on certain days and times, creating and adhering to a structured schedule could be extremely helpful. This means setting aside dedicated time each week to complete your required coursework, finish any assignments, or take tests and exams. Using a paper or digital planner could be a great way to stay on top of upcoming deadlines and due dates, too, so you could avoid unwanted surprises during your semester.
Participating in Online Forums and Group Projects
Even if you do not have the opportunity to meet your fellow peers face-to-face, you could enrich your learning experience by participating in online discussions. By getting to know the students you are taking classes with, you could build meaningful relationships while better engaging in your coursework.
Some classes may also require you to complete group projects, which could be an excellent way to collaborate and share ideas with your peers. Consider getting the most out of these experiences by setting up live video chats, phone calls, or other synchronous means of sharing ideas.
Learn More About Degree Completion at Post
Enrolling in a degree completion program could be a great way to finish your degree without the time and hassle of starting over. At the same time, degree completion programs could be quite rigorous and demanding, so it is crucial to weigh your options and determine whether or not this type of program may be right for you. If so, then following these tips and best practices for getting enrolled in a program and maximizing your learning experience could make all the difference.
Post University is proud to offer degree completion programs designed with the modern learner in mind. With a wide range of online programs to choose from, busy students can enjoy the flexibility they need to work toward their degrees from anywhere. Reach out to learn more or get started with your online application for admission today.
Thank you for reading! The purpose of this blog is to provide general information to the reader, and as such, this information may not directly relate to programs offered by Post University.
Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from enrolling in or graduating from any Post program.