A college degree means more than merely a four year experience. It’s more than football games and term papers and all nighters, a college degree now represents an increasingly necessary step on the way to a stable future. The piece of paper students walk away with after their years of devoted study is becoming more common, more necessary, and sadly, more pricey. Between 1987 and 1997 there was a 14 percent increase in college enrollment. Between 1997 and 2007 there was a 26 percent increase. In that time, full time student enrollment increased by 34 percent. Between 1976 and 2007 the total minority population enrolled in college courses has more than doubled, from 15 percent to 32 percent. All of these college degree statistics have been closely monitored by the National Center for Education Statistics, a part of the U.S. Department of Education and the primary federal organization devoted to education analysis. The general trend of education across the planet is that more people are being educated at higher levels. As of 2003, the U.S. population contained more than 40,000,000 college graduates, according to the National Science Foundation. These trends are not only evident in student enrollment and graduation rates, but also employment and pay rates for those students following graduation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for those with a Bachelors degree or higher is 4.9 percent as of April 2010, while the unemployment rate for those with less than a high school education is at 14.7 percent. Earning potential also makes the point of how a college degree important, currently those with a Bachelors degree earn an average annual salary of $51,206, while those with only a high school diploma average $27,915 annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Individuals who possess an advanced degree average $74,602 annually. That means that a Masters degree graduate will earn $1.3 million dollars more over their lifetime than their high school diploma counterpart, according to the Census Bureau report The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings. These statistics are very telling, but are merely a numeric representation of how a college degree important. College degree important because education enriches life, it expands understandings and unites us all through information. College degree statistics expose the trend of education clearly, we are all drawn to learning and we seek it out and pursue it regardless of the obstacles. The Internet is only enabling further education to growing numbers of people. Become part of the trend to educate yourself, become part of the movement to expand our base of knowledge.

The Internet has changed the world. It’s a piece of technology which has seeped into every nook and cranny of society, altered our daily lives, and enabled an infinite amount of opportunity and growth. Education is no exception. Online education is legitimate and enrolling online is tearing through the world of academia like wildfire. A continual study conducted by the Sloan Consortium, a non-profit organization devoted to the promotion and integration of online education into the traditional world of higher academia, coupled with Babson College Survey Research Group, and the College Board, found that 2008 online enrollment had increased by 12 percent from 2007, with 3.94 million students enrolled in online courses. The study surveyed 2,500 colleges and universities and was the sixth annual installment of what has become the “leading barometer of online learning in the United States.” Students who enroll online can elevate themselves above the traditional economic, physical and geographic hurdles higher education has imposed in the past. Enrolling online can also afford students the luxury of customizable schedules, which can be catered around work and other family obligations. The population of online students has been primarily those seeking certificate or associates programs, those lasting two years or less. Of the available associates programs, psychology, social sciences, and liberal arts are the leading programs for those who enroll online, according to Staying the Course: Online Education in the United States 2008. Two year associate programs have experienced the highest growth rates in online education and account for over one half of all online students, according to Online Nation: Five Years of Growth in Online Learning, the long term study conducted by the above mentioned groups. However, growth and support has been increasing among online institutions and instructors all across the board since higher learning took to the World Wide Web. A study released by the Association of Public and Land grant Universities found that more than one third of public university faculty have taught online courses and more than half have advised students to enroll online in certain classes. Online learning and enrollment is the future of education, offering the flexibility and access to knowledge that is the embodiment of life long learning. Employers are embracing online learning as well due to its fast and effective access to various certifications and degrees, along with its ability to be integrated into a working lifestyle. If the trends in online learning continue, the world of education will be one not dominated by bustling campuses but by digital endeavors.

An accredited college education should be what every student of higher learning strives to undertake. Institutions which are accredited simply meet a standard of quality, determined by an independent and private organization, for use by students to better understand what level of education their undertaking and that those levels of excellence will be upheld through time. Some examples of accreditation organizations are the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. The procedure which institutions must undergo in order to obtain accreditation includes standards devised by accreditation organizations in collaboration with educational institutions and the Department of Education, on site evaluations of those standards, as well as publication of those standards along with continued monitoring and reevaluation to ensure the utmost quality in learning. Accreditation can occur at the institutional level, meaning all degrees are an accredited college education, or specialized or “programmatic” accreditation, which means only specific programs or classes meet the accreditation standards. Accredited college classes will ensure quality, but also the ability to receive financial aide at the state or federal level, while non accredited institutions are not approved by the U.S. Department of Education for financial aide eligibility. With the expansion of online education, accredited college classes are taking on even more importance due to the increasing numbers of available higher education institutions. Research as to which schools are accredited is vital for potential students, since non accredited degrees can cause future employment and financial problems. For example, there are currently no online law schools accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), and 49 states require a degree from an ABA accredited law school in order to take the Bar Examination which is required to practice law. Also, international schooling and institutions follow different standards, with some governments taking a more direct role in accreditation policy. The U.S. Department of Education provides a continually updated database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs which meet state and federal standards in accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, a tool established by law for transparency in higher education standards. With the importance of a college degree in today’s society, coupled with the steep economic sacrifices necessary to obtain a higher education, finding accredited college classes is extremely important when beginning one’s advanced learning. Enrollment in accredited college classes both online or at a traditional campus will ensure students receive the best quality of knowledge and the credentials and prestige which come along with the achievements of higher learning.

A school survival guide for adults is presented for those who are planning on returning to school. Adults going back to school need to determine what their primary goals are, for example, to finish a college degree to be eligible for promotion in their existing job or advancement to another career. However, there are several things about campus and online continuing education courses that adults need to understand and prepare for. Getting a higher education for working adults entails certain challenges, such as finding the time to balance education with their busy schedules. 

So, how do adults going back to school find the time in their busy schedules for college courses? First of all, you will need to check your schedule and decide on which activities are not essential. Conduct research surrounding special programs offered by the universities and online colleges which interest you, and take those into account before enrolling in an institution. Many institutions have programs to assist adult students and applicants. An important alternative, especially when the goal is getting back to school for older adults, is online and distance learning. However, precautions are necessary when considering this option because the quality and accreditation of the school you select may be vital to your goals. Verify all credentials and accreditations of the institution that you are investing time and money in, it is an investment in your future. 

Another important consideration when pursuing higher education for working adults is the anxiety surrounding assimilation with the younger adults in the school. Of course, this concern may not exist if online learning is chosen. This worry of social conformity and comfort is becoming a thing of the past since continued education and adults’ going back to school is now common place in our society. Evening classes, which are often provided for those who have jobs, often have a high percentage of older adults as students. 

In higher education for working adults, another important concern is back to school savings, especially with the declining economy. It is advisable to check for scholarships or assistance programs when enrolling and making payments. For those who are parents, another important activity is to talk with the children to ensure they understand your educational plans and will provide necessary support. Explain to them how they can help you with your goals, and how the entire family will benefit from your quest for a higher education. Not only will you likely find that they will enjoy helping, but you also will be establishing a fine parental example of the importance of education.

There are two different ways that recession and education are interrelated. First of all, there is the impact of recession on education due to the financial fluctuations in both student income and tuition prices. Another way recession and higher education are related is the level of higher education a person receives will affect not only procuring a job, but the benefits and salaries which accompany that position. In other words, while the current economic situation makes it much harder to invest in education, a good education becomes even more imperative because it allows a person to persevere through hardships and rise above obstacles in order to maintain or achieve employment.

The recession effect on education can occur in several ways, and the most obvious way is the increase in college tuition. According to studies, the rise in tuition and higher education fees from 1982 to 2009 is approximately three times the increase in average household income. This means that it is becoming more and more difficult for parents to send their children to college due to this distorted correlation between recession and education inflation. There is also an effect of recession in the classroom because of budget cuts by the government. In this case, the relationship between recession and higher education equates to universities and colleges increasing classroom sizes and creating unbalanced teacher to student ratios. In relation to this, another negative connection between recession and education is that there are less college endowments and benefits, further exacerbating the enrollment decline.

On the other hand, some careers can reap benefits of recession and education, healthcare associates degree and other similar courses have provided graduates with career protection from economic downturns because certain professions are more recession-proof than others. This positive connection between recession and higher education means that certain college courses can help people become less vulnerable to a stagnant economy. It is therefore worthwhile to find solutions to remedy the negative relationship between recession and education, mainly by expanding your education to increase opportunities. Despite the negative connections between recession and education, student loans can still offer a viable solution to continued education. However, it is important to remember that the focus should be on courses that lead to more resilient and recession-proof professions, which can include health care, education, military, pharmaceuticals, energy, utilities, auditing, debt management, accounting, debt collection, environmental sciences, and security.

Tough economic times or changing personal circumstances frequently prompt people to consider a career change—and it’s happening more often than before. “It used to be people started exploring when they turned 40 and we called it a midlife crisis,” a 2007 article in The Boston Globe explained. “It seems clear, now, that exploration and self-discovery is something to do throughout life, not just when you get sick of your mortgage or your marriage.”

A career switch is a choice that involves careful thought, and for those who decide it’s the right option for them, there are several tips to make the transition proceed more smoothly.

Education Considerations

These days, workers aren’t only considering job security when they think about how they’ll make a living. They need “career insurance” as well. “Career insurance is gaining the knowledge, learning the skills, and getting the experience in your present job that will qualify you for your next job,” Bob Custard, vice president of the National Environmental Health Association, stated in an article by Edu411.org. Taking a course online or obtaining a master’s degree are just a couple ways that can be done. For those who can’t afford to take time off from their current job to attend school, or for whom moving to a new location isn’t an option, attending college online may be a beneficial alternative.

Successful distance learners need to possess several important qualities, such the ability to avoid distraction, and a drive to complete their online degree without the benefit of a classroom setting. Other factors are important, too, including having the necessary computer equipment (and technical skills) to attend college online.

A Matter of Scheduling

Many people attend college online because it permits flexible scheduling around their work obligations, but remember there may be occasions when time management isn’t so easy. For example, some students may have to alter their schedules to turn assignments in by a set hour in a different time zone. Or if a student studies at particularly late or early hours, it may also take awhile to receive professor feedback on an assignment when needed.

Surviving the Change as You Earn Your Online Degree

Getting an online degree and changing careers can be challenging for more than just the student. Make sure to schedule family time into your schedule, or discuss what you’re learning at the dinner table. Family members may have an easier time supporting your educational endeavors knowing they’re an important part of the process, too.