From 12 students in a 1989 University of Phoenix online class to 12 million online students today, there have never been more options for easily obtaining your education. While this is great, sometimes the choices can be overwhelming. For this reason, we decided to create an infographic on how online education can enhance your career.
Access to Education has Never Been Better…
Types of Online Education:
1.) Online Courses
Normal courses offered by accredited Universities online
Pros: Fit into normal course of study, flexibility
Cons: Cost, require self-motivation
2.) MOOCs
Massive Open Online Courses are courses open to anyone and potentially having a huge number of enrolled participants.
Pros: Usually Free, Some offer certification, Can be taken at the best universities, flexibility
Cons: Lack of instructor attention, lack of credit
It’s Been Quite a Ride
Growth:
1989: University of Phoenix launches private-for profit online school. 12 students enroll.
Today:
3 million online-only students in the US
6.7 million yearly online course students
10 million total MOOC participants
It’s up to you to translate that into a career.
For careers that require a degree, options include:
Online Courses:
76% of academic leaders believe online degrees are equal to traditional degrees
89% believe so if the college also has a traditional campus
Benefits:
27% of employers have increased the required level of education for new hires within the last 5 years.
Over a 40 year working career, those with bachelor’s degrees earn 65% more than those with only high school degrees.
For careers that do not require a degree, options include:
MOOCs:
Over 200 universities
Offering 1200+ courses
By 1300+ instructors
In many subjects that apply to various careers:
Computer science/Programming, Business/Management, Engineering, Math and Statistics, Education and teaching, Health and Medicine, Sciences
Over 70% of the largest corporations in America believe they can use MOOCs in their own company’s learning programs.
Advancing a Career
Do you need a new degree?
Traditional college students work an average of 18 hours a week
With the added flexibility of online work, you should be able to make school work with a 40 hours work week.
Best Masters for Jobs (Currently):
(Job/available online)
1.)Information Systems/Yes
2.)Physics/Yes
3.)Physician Assistant Studies/Yes
4.)Computer Science/Yes
5.)Electrical Engineering/Yes
Are all available online.
Just remember online degrees often take more time than other online courses:
Prioritize work constantly
Realistically budget your time
Focus on where you want to be long term
Or, do you just need some additional skills or certificates?
Certificates:
MOOC Platforms
Verified MOOCs
Open Courses from Universities
Topical Course Sites
Online Tutorials
Learning Communities
Youtube EDU/ Itunes U/ TED
Happy learning!
Citations:
- http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/06/infographic-how-the-internet-is-revolutionizing-education/240338/
- http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2013/01/08/online-course-enrollment-climbs-for-10th-straight-year
- http://www.drexel.com/uploadedFiles/OnlineEdInfographic81213PDF.pdf
- https://www.edsurge.com/n/2013-12-22-moocs-in-2013-breaking-down-the-numbers
- http://trends.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/education-pays-2013-full-report.pdf
- http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/08/07/2428351/nearly-80-of-students-are-working-while-in-school/
- http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeannemeister/2013/08/13/how-moocs-will-revolutionize-corporate-learning-development/
- http://voices.yahoo.com/employers-want-more-educated-workersbut-really-12578089.html?cat=3
- http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45ejkgg/no-4-tie-best-masters-degree-for-jobs-electrical-engineering/