Working adults turning to the Internet to earn degrees

You've seen the advertisements beckoning applicants to earn a college degree online and from the comfort of their living rooms. You can even wear your pajamas to class.

People's interest in online education has increased for a variety of reasons, including the depressed economy, according to sources.

More working adults are going back to school to refine their skills with hopes of earning more money, but they don't have the time to sit in a traditional college classroom. But while online classes may seem easier than a traditional education, most agree that they are really only a good idea for self-motivated students who are good at juggling life.

National University in Sacramento is seeing an increase in enrollment as more people are losing their jobs and returning to school to either earn a degree or finish one not yet completed, according to Mary Emery-Sherman, associate regional dean.

The university also markets to people interested in changing careers or increasing their skills, she said, adding that it works because of the flexibility.

Melissa James, of Lodi, had to split her degree when she found out she was pregnant and didn't have time to complete the student teaching portion.

With a two-year-old, returning to finish her master's worked because she could do her homework "whenever."

"It was easy, too, because I could miss two classes and still get the course done."

Emery-Sherman agreed.

"For the type of student that we attract, they are typically older in their mid-30s and work, so online provides flexibility for adults to go to school, raise their family and continue to go to work," she said.

Hitwise, an online trend research company, has noted that visits to online universities compared to their traditional counterparts have steadily risen over the last four years, but have taken a jump in the last six months as the economy has soured.

Typical college tuition has gone up and endowments are down, but visits to the country's top online universities are up 43 percent from a year ago, according to the research firm.

Enrollment, too, is up.

At University of Phoenix, one of the country's leaders in online education, there were about 225,000 students across the nation in 2006. At the same time two years later, the figures were closer to 280,000, according to its Web site.

And, as of Feb. 28, 397,700 students were enrolled in online and traditional classes at University of Phoenix.

But it's not for everyone.

Melody Knee, who helps Tokay High students complete scholarship applications in preparation for higher education, does not recommend that first-time college students seek an online course.

"Often, it is their first experience with college and they would be better served in the classroom," she said, adding that she personally has taken online courses and it works well for her. "But I have also sat in many traditional classrooms and understand the amount of work a college class entails.

"One must be extremely disciplined to successfully complete an online course, as there is only contact via e-mail," she said, adding that students don't get the verbal reminders they would normally receive in a traditional classroom settings. Check-in, too, is done over the Internet.

Knee, personally, is not aware of any local graduating seniors planning to attend an online-only college.

University of Phoenix is often an alternative for working adults looking to earn a degree while they work full-time. The college has campuses all over the country, with the closest learning centers to Lodi located in Lathrop and Elk Grove. As of Feb. 29, 2008, the combined degree enrollment for University of Phoenix was more than 330,200 students, and it offered more than 100 degrees.

They are earning degrees online without having to travel to a campus.

Instead, like their peers at similar colleges in the area, they log on to an electronic forum three to five times per week, depending on the chosen program, to participate in discussions, communicate with faculty, obtain assignments and submit coursework online.

Another online college is Chapman University, which also has a location in Modesto, and National University, with campuses in both Stockton and Sacramento. The school offers on-site courses, as well.

The average age of a National University student is 35 years old, and 63 percent of the student body is female, according to Emery-Sherman. It offers more than 60 degrees.

Students take one rigorous class per month with much of the accountability falling squarely on their shoulders. That's one reason schools like this don't attract graduating high schoolers, she added.

"They really need to be more mature than someone straight out of college. You have to be very disciplined."

But online colleges aren't the only ones offering programs on the Internet.

Go to San Joaquin Delta College's Web site, and among the list along the right side of the main page is a link to online classes offered there. At Pacific, too, students can take online courses, but unlike the alternative universities, one can't earn an entire degree without stepping on campus, said Rhashad Pittman, university spokesman.

Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Acampo_Mom wrote on May 22, 2009 10:01 AM:

" Lodian...I agree! "

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