An online degree can help you learn skills and gain knowledge in your chosen course of study. It can also open career opportunities for you that might otherwise be difficult to achieve. In fact, an increasing number of jobs are starting to require a college degree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the amount of jobs that require at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree increased by four million between 2007 and 2016; that’s 67% of the total job growth (six million jobs) between this time period.

Why choose to get an online degree?

Online degrees are often more convenient, flexible, and can sometimes be less expensive than a traditional college education. Completing an online degree program may also show employers that you have a strong work ethic and know how to set and reach goals. Online degrees are also becoming more prominent. A little over 50% of all U.S. colleges and universities now offer online classes and degree programs.

Who gets their degree online?

About 31% of college students are now taking at least one online class and about 14.6% (3 million) are taking all of their classes online. Another interesting fact is that although overall higher education enrollments seem to have dropped by 4.4% between 2012-2016, online college enrollments have grown by 17%.

Types of Online Degrees

There are a handful of different types of online degrees you can explore, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.

• Online Associate Degree:

  An associate degree is a two-year degree that offers a broad education with a focus in a specific career field. Associate degrees can prepare you for both future professional career and education opportunities. See a listing of online associate degrees.

• Online Bachelor’s Degree:

  A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years to earn. Bachelor’s degrees offer a combination of general education classes and a series of classes that are focused on your chosen field of study. Bachelor’s degrees can help provide you with most of the requisite knowledge and skills you need to move forward in your career. See a listing of online bachelor’s degrees.

• Online Master’s Degree:

  A master’s degree is an industry specialized program that most often requires a thesis and two years of advanced coursework (some schools offer accelerated or combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs). A master’s degree can be highly desirable and may even be mandatory for employment in some industries. See a listing of online master’s degrees.

• Online Doctorate / PhD Degree:

  A doctorate or PhD degree is one of the highest levels of post-secondary education. Doctorate degrees can take anywhere from six to eight years to earn and require intensive research as well as an in-depth dissertation or doctoral project. Because of the nature of doctoral degree programs, some may not be available online. See a listing of online doctoral degrees.

In addition to online degrees, you also have the option to earn the following online certificates at every level of education:

• Online Diplomas:

  Diplomas are the foundation for higher education. Most college degree programs will require you to have earned your high school diploma or an equivalent GED. See a listing of online high school diplomas.

• Online Post-associate / Professional Certificate:

  A post-associate certificate is the middle-ground between an associate and bachelor’s degree. If you want more advanced career training but don’t have the time or desire to complete a full bachelor’s, you might find what you need in an online certificate program. See a listing of online professional certificates.

• Online Graduate Certificate:

  A graduate certificate can be a great alternative or stepping stone to a master’s degree, as such certificate programs offer specialized education in a field. A graduate certificate can typically be earned in three to six months. See a listing of online graduate certificates.

• Online Post-doctoral Certificates:

  Post-doctoral certificates can provide you with flexibility in your studies. It allows you to pursue your chosen doctorate degree while also branching out into a related field and earning a certificate. See a listing of online post-doctoral certificates.