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Choosing and designing effective online degree programs can be a challenge. OnlineEducation.com, the definitive resource for students and academics researching online learning, provides a platform for making informed decisions about online education by thoroughly researching degree programs; tracking and covering online learning studies and trends; and keeping resources up-to-date. We compile this information using proprietary data and other qualified sources, and then translate it into clear, practical insights readers can use.

Online degree programs significantly improve access to higher education, and recent reports indicate enrollment is at an all-time high. Currently more than 7 million U.S. college students participate in some form of online learning. However, online education may not be right for everyone. Students must be committed and disciplined enough to complete courses without a campus-based structure. In addition, online programs vary in areas that impact learning, including when, how, and how often students access materials and lectures. Students who understand these differences and the technology behind them are better positioned to choose online programs that reflect their career goals and learning styles, giving them the best chance of success.

This information is just as valuable for the colleges that deliver online degree programs as the students who enroll in them. Research from the Babson Survey Research Group (BSRG) in collaboration with the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) shows that while the vast majority of college leaders consider online degree programs critical for long-term institutional development, actually designing them is challenging. Through careful research, professors and administrators can find, interpret, and apply key online learning data within their institutions. They also benefit from studying online learning technology and how it drives course design, instructional methods, and outcomes.

This guide is designed to give students and educators a thorough understanding of how online degree programs work, and how to use them effectively. It examines online learning and teaching tools, success factors, and other important themes. We will continue to update this information as new trends and technologies emerge.

Recent data suggests more students and colleges than ever engage in online education. According to the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES), online programs now add students four times faster than their traditional counterparts and account for more than 75 percent of all new enrollment growth. Colleges continue to add new online learning options and technology to keep pace with demand. As these investments grow, so does the field of online courses and degrees. OLC Chief Knowledge Officer Karen Pedersen addressed this shift in a recent interview with OnlineEducation.com.

What were seeing in the trends is that a record number of higher education leaders, such as chief academic officers, are seeing online learning as critical to their institutional long-term strategy70.8% in 2014 compared to 48.8% in 2002, said Dr. Pedersen. With this movement, more and more institutions are offering an array of learning opportunities, from fully online programs at all levels associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degreesas well as blended programs where both online and classroom based learning are combined for a rich and engaging learning experience.

Online education is also becoming more mainstream. For-profit schools once lead the fields growth, but the latest numbers indicate public and not-for-profit colleges now drive online enrollments. Larger universities are especially invested in online learning. According to the NCES, more than 95 percent of institutions with at least 5,000 annual enrollments offer online programs. For large colleges serving 20,000 or more students a year, this share exceeds 99 percent. Many of these universities see online education as a means of serving more students, including a higher percentage of full-time professionals, stay-at-home parents, military service-members, and other non-traditional groups. Dr. Jeff Seaman, co-director of the BSRG and Quahog Research Group, mentioned the following in an interview with OnlineEducation.com.

From (our) very first survey, it was clear that academic leaders believed that the most important aspect of online education was that it could expand access to education to many more potential students, said Dr. Seaman. There was, and still is, wide agreement that many individuals who desire an education are unable to attend traditional on-campus programs. Whether because of job constraints, family responsibilities, limited mobility, remote location, or any of number of other reasons, these potential students found regular class attendance on campus was not possible.

As online education becomes more diverse, so does its range of learning options. Innovative new technology and instructional methods allow even traditionally hands-on disciplines like engineering and nursing to be taught online, though some programs require internships and other practical learning experiences. Students can also now pursue many different types of credentials mostly or completely online. The following certificates and degrees are among them.

A report from the New America Foundation suggests associate degree programs are statistically much more likely than bachelors programs to enroll full-time workers, parents, and military families. According to the Foundation, online associate degrees can be an ideal learning solution for these busy students who often find campus attendance difficult. The majority of community colleges, a number of for-profit colleges, and even a few public four-year universities offer associate degrees online.

The NCES reports that bachelors degrees are by far the most common credential students earn online. While many of these programs are in disciplines that adapt easily to web-based learning, like business and criminal justice, several colleges now offer online bachelors degrees in areas like teaching and engineering. These programs may require students to complete some face-to-face training. For example, the University of Virginia offers a special engineering program that allows students to complete all of their coursework in a live online format while serving internships with approved employers across the state. Online bachelors degree programs can also use virtual simulations, video conferencing, and other technical solutions to assess and reinforce students practical knowledge.

Online graduate certificates help bachelors and masters degree holders enhance certain skills. Not to be confused with professional certifications, graduate certificates are academic credentials unaffiliated with specific vendors and organizations. Teachers might earn online graduate certificates in family literacy and educational technology integration while MBA graduates pursue them in data analytics, project management, and other relevant specialties. While many students invest in voluntary certificates to improve resumes and advancement potential, some employers require graduate certificates to confirm formal specializations. For example, masters-trained nurses frequently earn post-masters certificates to add new patient and medical specialties, or to change specialties within the field of advanced practice registered nursing. It is not unusual for schools to offer fully online graduate certificates to accommodate full-time professionals, but certain programs supplement online coursework with internships, clinical placements, or other on-site learning experiences. The nature, frequency, and extent of this work varies.

Undergraduate students may be more likely than graduate students to participate in some form of online learning, but NCES research shows graduate students are more than twice as likely to enroll in 100 percent online degree programs. This trend reflects graduate programs tendency to enroll more working professionals balancing school with career and family responsibilities. It is not unusual for four-year graduates to enter the workforce before deciding to return to school to become more specialized, improve their advancement potential, or transition to new fields. Online masters degrees are also popular among experienced professionals in fields that address steeper practical training requirements at the undergraduate level, like teaching and nursing. Online learning offers these working students a degree of flexibility difficult to achieve in a campus setting.

While they remain less common than other online degree programs, many universities now offer online doctorates in fields like nursing, education, and criminal justice, among others. On-site learning requirements vary by school and program. For example, universities may deliver coursework online, but require online doctoral candidates to report to campus to serve residencies, conduct research, and defend their theses. Online doctoral degree programs frequently leverage live video conferencing and other interactive tools that help faculty mentor and support students from a distance.

Despite its quick adoption, online learning is a relatively new medium. Institutions continue to experiment with new formats, then use specific terms to differentiate them. Students should become acquainted with these classifications early so that they can decipher which programs align with their learning preferences, career goals, and current levels of education. Here are some of the most common online options offered today.

The NCES and BSRG report that the majority of colleges and universities now offer online courses. Some, but not all of these classes are linked to full online degrees and certificates. Universities, community colleges, and college extension programs design standalone online classes specifically for students seeking personal enrichment, focused workplace skills, and professional certifications. According to Dr. Pedersen, many colleges also offer programs that combine online and traditional coursework to provide campus-based students with a richer, more interactive learning experience.

Not all colleges and universities define online degree programs the same way: some let students complete their studies 100 percent online while others require some face-to-face work as well. The nature, number, and location of these visits can vary. Colleges might require online students to report to campus or approved partner institutions for practical labs, on-campus intensives, orientations, and/or exams. They might also require fieldwork or internships, depending on the subject. For example, Masters of Science in Nursing programs typically require clinical placements while Master of Social Work programs require field education. Unless otherwise noted, OnlineEducation.com uses the term online degree program to define programs that require no more than two campus visits per year.

There is no standard definition for blended and hybrid programs. Many schools use the terms interchangeably; others use them each in very specific ways. Nonetheless, most blended or hybrid programs and courses combine varying degrees of online and classroom-based instruction. These can include:

Unless otherwise noted, OnlineEducation.com defines any program that requires three or more campus visits each year as a hybrid program.

MOOCs are online courses available in an open format, which means students need not apply to an institution to enroll. This makes MOOCs accessible to learners from a wide spectrum of age groups and circumstances, including international students. Although a limited number of MOOCs allow students to earn some type of verified certificate at a cost, most are free and award no college credit. Course content is usually delivered through provider organizations like Coursera, edX, and Udacity.

The MOOC movement was launched by prestigious universities like Stanford and MIT. Other colleges were quick to follow suit, but the BSRG suggests interest is waning: only a small number of schools now have MOOCs and few intend to add them. The same is not necessarily true for professional training programs using this format. Udacity now emphasizes corporate MOOCs over academically-aligned courses as other career-focused providers enter the market.

Competency-based education is a relatively new trend in online education. Unlike online degree programs that deliver most instruction online, competency-based programs offer credit for knowledge gained through life experience and other forms of self-directed learning. Students usually demonstrate key competencies through tests or portfolios. This unique format supports military service-members, trade professionals, and other students with verifiable skills mastered outside of formal education. The majority of todays competency-based programs offer associate degrees and certificates, but a small number of online bachelors programs are beginning to emerge.

Online colleges, programs, and courses tend to use a number of different instructional methods to teach students. These methods define how an online program is structured; how and when lectures are delivered; and how students interact with classmates and instructors. The following is a list of terms online colleges use to describe instructional methods and program formats. Knowing these phrases will help students determine which online programs best meet their learning styles and objectives.

It is crucial for students to consider accreditation and state regulations when evaluating online degree programs. Unlike features that determine whether programs meet students learning styles and objectives, accreditation and state requirements tell students whether programs are credible, and if they are allowed to enroll in them at all. The following information clarifies what these concepts mean and how they impact online students.

It is important for students to consider accreditation when researching any college program, no matter how courses are delivered. Before online degree programs can be accredited, independent organizations must carefully evaluate their curricula, faculty, technology, and other practices to ensure they meet strict quality standards. The process is voluntary, but its impact is significant. Students must attend accredited programs to be eligible for federal, state, and some private financial aid. Most colleges also verify accreditation before accepting transfer credits or admitting applicants to post-graduate programs. The benefits of attending accredited online degree programs can extend into the workforce where employers and licensing agencies frequently establish minimum education standards.

The agency that accredits an online degree program is just as important as the process itself. The U.S. Education Department (USED) advises students to verify accreditors credibility before they enroll in any program, but especially online degree programs where practices and criteria are less established. The USED and Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) evaluate accreditors and recognize only those that meet certain quality standards. CHEA maintains a list of higher education accreditors that are recognized by both organizations.

While online degree programs improve college access, state regulations can limit it for some students. The Western Commission of Higher Education (WCHE) reports colleges and universities must obtain state approval before enrolling or marketing to its residents. Authorization requirements, procedures, and costs vary. Some states only authorize colleges with a physical presence inside its borders; others only approve online programs offered within regional consortia or partnerships. Universities may also be required to seek authorization at the program level, which means students living in certain states may be eligible to enroll in some, but not all of an institutions listed online degree programs.

Students should review these regulations before applying to online programs based in different states. They can visit the State Higher Education Executive Officers Organization (SHEEO) online to review a list of each states regulatory agencies. Students should also contact prospective schools admissions offices directly to request an up-to-date list of state approvals as they can change at any time. Some states review approvals on a regular basis while others may only review them at specific times during the year.

The decision to attend college online is only the first of many that students must make before they begin their studies. Online degree programs use many formats, instructional methods, services, and technologies; online students have varying learning styles, preferences, and educational needs. The goal of OnlineEducation.com, this guide, and future reports is to help students access information they can use to balance these factors and identify programs offering the best chance of success. Dr. Pederson told OnlineEducation.com that it is important for students to ask questions, and colleges to have answers.

[It] is still about knowing yourself, researching your options, and asking lots of questions to find the right learning solution. This is where institutions need to have personnel available to answer questions and ensure best fit, said Dr. Pedersen. From an institutional perspective, I am a believer in a strong onboarding experience for new learners. It is important that new students know how the institution works and they understand the resources they can tap to ensure their success.

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Guide to Online Degree Programs - OnlineEducation.com