Access

On-campus: Whenever the class is scheduled by the school

Online: 24 hours a day/7 days a week

Commute

On-campus: Anywhere from 5-minutes to an hour depending on location from the college. May have a delay due to road traffic, accidents, delays in public transit, or weather conditions.

Online: 30 seconds, from your kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom to your computer. May have delay due to traffic caused by scurrying pets, children, spouse, or “roadblocks” by objects in the hallway.

Social Aspects

On-campus: Always availability for interactions with students and faculty: whether it is in the classroom, in the cafeteria, student center, or atheletic events.

Online: Although the “face-to-face” interactions may be limited, course discussions are conducted through online chat and bulletin boards through the school’s online portal.

Cost

On-campus: Varies from school to school as well as degree type. Then there’s the cost in gas/public transit to get to class on time. Tuition usually does not cover course materials.

Online: Varies from school to school as well as degree type. No commuting needed, except to get back home from your current location. If you already are home, then no commute required! In some cases, course materials/books are included!

Degree Programs Offered

On-campus: Associate’s Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs

Online: Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs

Materials Needed

On-campus: Books, noteebook, laptop, books, calculator, pen, pencil, more books…did we mention books?

Online: Most course materials including lectures and readings are found through the online course portal. There may be some books required, but you won’t have to lug them around in a backpack.

Greek Life

On-campus: Upside- Going to fraternity and sorority parties!
Online:  Upside- Not going to fraternity and sorority parties. Since many online courses are accelerated, the ability to get the studying out of the way faster is definitely an advantage to getting your degree completed, so you can have more enjoyable times ahead….hopefully with much better beer.

While this doesn’t cover every aspect of on-campus or online learning, it can give you a brief idea of the type of college learning that may be right for you.

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (aka MIT) admitted their first students for study in 1865
• MIT is located in Cambridge, MA
• Very competitive Admissions process – in 2009 10.7% of all applicants were accepted into MIT
• Currently there are 7 Nobel Prize Winners who are actively involved with MIT

When I was little, my Dad had me convinced that I was going to grow up with a degree from MIT, I would make a million dollars and buy him a Ferrari Testarossa (which I called a Ferrari Toaster Oven). So for the first 8-10 years of my life, that was my main goal. I didn’t know anything about MIT, how prestigious it truly was, or what type of career I would get from a degree at MIT.

Sadly, my course of study took me quite far away from anything affiliated with MIT, as I chose to go the route of Elementary Education. If I still had the drive to do some sort of engineering or more technological savvy career, however, MIT would be one of my top choices. For more information on MIT and the degree programs they offer, visit their website: MIT.

As noted above, the admissions office only accepts about 10.7% of all of the applicants they receive. They are very selective in the process. Currently, their degree offerings include:

• Bachelor of Science (SB)
• Master of Architecture (MArch)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master in City Planning (MCP)
• Master of Engineering (MEng)
• Master of Finance (MFin)
• Master of Science (SM)
• Engineer (each degree designates the field in which it is awarded)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Doctor of Science (ScD)

Undergraduate students also have the opportunity to test drive a few experimental methods of learning, including MIT’s Experimental Study Group (in which 50 freshman maintain a “close-knit” community through the learning process), the Concourse Program (which presents a variety of subjects in a more intimate setting), Media Arts and Sciences Freshman Program (which offers 25 students the ability to participate in research for communication), Seminar XL (a study program for students who want to explore courses deeper than the traditional college course. This program is facilitated by an instructor who holds two 90-minute groups each week).

There are a number of ways that students can learn at MIT. With such a selective admissions process, it enables MIT to try alternate methods of education. For more information on MIT and the degree programs they offer, visit their website: MIT.

• The University of Notre Dame is ranked #17 Best College in the United States by US News & World Report
• Founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C., of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
• Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, 90 miles from Chicago
• Very competitive admissions process
• Catholic University

 When most people think about Notre Dame, they think of one of the following:

• Excellent Academic Reputation
• A killer football team
• The Hunchback

Two out of the above three are correct. Hopefully you’ve guessed which two are actually affiliated with the school. The “Fightin’ Irish” definitely have great academics and athletics, which has helped build them a very strong reputation and each year, incoming freshman applicants have to face a very competitive admissions process (1 out of every 5 applications is accepted).

For more information about Notre Dame, visit their website: University of Notre Dame.

Academics

Students can enroll in one of the several schools within the University of Notre Dame. They include the School of Architecture, College of Arts and Letters, the Mendoza College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Science, The Law School, and The Graduate School. Notre Dame offers a wide variety of majors in engineering, business, liberal arts, law and science. Most of their programs are strictly “on-campus”, however there are a few online courses as well.

Athletics

The University of Notre Dame offers men’s and women’s athletics, in basketball, soccer, golf, lacrosse, swimming & diving, tennis, fencing, softball (women’s), baseball (men’s), football (men’s), track & field, and rowing (women’s). In a few words – something for everyone! Notre Dame is one of the “dream schools” for many student athletes because of their great winning history, as well as their passion for athletics in general. Very few schools have the popularity on a national scale that “The Fightin’ Irish” have, as evidenced by the school’s mascot on t-shirts, hats, and other paraphernalia in stores coast-to-coast.

Faith

On top of the great degree programs and sports, University of Notre Dame is a faith-based institution with campus ministry programs, an on-campus church, and a number of service-oriented programs for students.

For more information about Notre Dame, visit their website: University of Notre Dame.

After a bit of browsing on the web, I found that I was gravely mistaken. The Art Institute Online has made a few of these creative and interactive majors available online. To request information from AI online, click here: online distance education.

The Art Institute has 40 national locations and is now offering 16 of their degrees through online distance education. Their current offerings consist of:

Associate

• Associate of Science – Graphic Design
• Associate of Science – Kitchen & Bath Design
• Associate of Science – Web Design and Interactive Media

Bachelor

• Bachelor of Science – Fashion & Retail Management
• Bachelor of Science – Game Art & Design
• Bachelor of Science – Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Science – Hotel and Restaurant Management
• Bachelor of Science – Interior Design
• Bachelor of Science – Media Arts & Animation
• Bachelor of Science – Photography
• Bachelor of Science – Web Design and Interactive Media

Continuing Education

• Diploma – Digital Design
• Diploma – Residential Planning

The Art Institute aims to offer convenient and flexible courses that students can access anytime, anywhere via online distance education. The courses are accelerated, offering classes that are only 5 1/2 weeks long. This allows students to earn their degrees at a faster rate so they can jump into their new career sooner rather than later.

Tuition for The Art Institute’s online distance education programs is currently $448 per credit hour, with a $100 lab fee per course. They welcome transfer credits, and financial aid is available for those who qualify. The Financial Aid office at The Art Institute is more than happy to guide you through the admissions process and applying for financial aid.

For more information regarding how AI Online can help you enroll in online distance education, visit this link: online distance education.

• Villanova University is located in Radnor Township - right outside of  Philadelphia, PA
• The Augustinians have sponsored Villanova since 1842
• Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the AACSB International, and the Computing Science Accreditation Board
• Villanova University has been designated an arboretum with two, one mile self-guided walking tours on main campus

Villanova University is one of the top Higher Education institutions in the nation with more than a 150 year history. Villanova, a Roman Catholic institution, was founded by the Order of St. Augustine in 1842, and is the largest Catholic learning institution in the state of Pennsylvania.

Upon visiting Villanova, students will find a mix of old stone-front buildings, such as Alumni Hall (built in 1849) and Tolentine Hall (built in 1929) mixed with more modern architecture of the College of Engineering (built in 1997). The fact that Villanova has also been given the title of being an Arboretum, students enjoy beautiful scenery as they walk along campus paths between classes, to and from the dining halls, and upon leaving their dorm rooms to begin their day’s classes. If you are interested in learning more about Villanova, visit their website: Villanova University.

Villanova also offers more than 50 bachelor’s degrees and 35 graduate degrees from five colleges. Degree programs are offered in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Nursing and Law.

Villanova enrolls more than 10,000 students each year and is regionally accredited. Villanova’s top notch athletics include more than 20 NCAA Division I teams. A majority of Villanova’s faculty are experts in their field and hold the highest degree.

As for student life on & off-campus, there are a variety of faith-based organizations and service groups as well as Greek Life, theater groups, academic based clubs, and athletics. Villanova is also situated on “The Main Line”, which is home to several other neighboring colleges, and there are plenty of shopping and dining opportunities all within a short walk or drive. Villanova is also about 20 minutes outside of Philadelphia, and there are several bus routes and a train station on campus that whisk students away to the City of Brotherly Love.

Villanova has a great deal to offer students academically, atheltically, and socially. If you are interested in learning more about Villanova, visit their website: Villanova University.

Now imagine that you are a regular average “Joe” with a product or idea that you want to set up online. Perhaps you’re a freelance decorator or wish to start a courier service. What better way to market yourself than online? It’s typically less expensive than advertising in the local paper and you can spread the word out to more people in a larger venue.

So how can one be fully prepared for a career utilizing the power of the Internet? LA College International can help you with an Associate’s degree in E-Commerce. An E-commerce degree can help you learn the ins and outs of online business all from the comfort of your home computer. Interested? Contact LA College International now to ask about their E-commerce degree programs by clicking here: E-commerce degree.

The current E-commerce degree program consists of courses such as:

• Search Engine Advertising
• E-commerce & EBay
• Principles of Web Page Design
• Business Law
• Introduction to Computers
• Data Base Management
• Business Communication

This small sample of the classes incorporated in the E-commerce degree program covers the basics needed for setting up a successful stand-alone online business or a foundation for creating a larger client-base for a store or service.

LA College International also has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in E-Commerce. This course is a little  more in-depth than the Associates degree, with more emphasis on management and business in general, with a selection of e-commerce related courses.

Both of these programs are offered 100% online, and financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Take the first step in promoting your business, products or services online the right way. To speak with an admissions representative about either the Bachelor’s degree or Associates degree in E-commerce programs, visit this link: E-commerce degree.

So how does one prepare for such a task? Northeastern University can help with their Masters of Science in Taxation degree. This course is designed to help accounting professionals learn more about taxes and IRS regulation. To request more information on the MST program, visit this link: Masters in Taxation.

As for the course itself, to graduate, students must earn 30 credits. Half of these are electives and the other half are required courses. Many students tend to take this program on a part-time basis, since classes meet after 5pm on-campus. The Masters in Taxation program starts at three different times in the year, during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, so there’s no waiting around for the fall semester to start earning a degree. Students tend to earn this program in about 2 years while working full-time.

Required courses include:

• Federal Tax Issues and Analysis
• Corporations and Shareholders
• Estate and Gift Taxation
• Tax Research Methodology
• Tax Practice, Procedures & Ethics
• Partners and Partnerships

If you are a transfer students, you may transfer up to 9 credits towards the 30 required for graduation. The other 21 credits, however, must be completed within Northeaster University’s College of Business Administration, and a GPA of 3.0 is required to earn your Masters in Taxation degree.

Tuition is approximately $1,210 per credit, and financial aid is available for those who qualify. To be contacted by a Northeastern Admissions Representative regarding this exciting program, click here: Masters in Taxation.

Eastern Kentucky offers several masters security degrees that aspiring security officers and managers may wish to consider taking. There is more to a security officer than a sharp uniform and a walkie-talkie, and training is certainly necessary for a security officer or supervisor to successfully perform their jobs. They must know how to handle emergency situations, understand company personnel policy, and how to troubleshoot and spot persons or things that may seem out of sync with everything else going on. A keen eye is key for a successful security officer, and that’s why EKU has their Masters degree online program. To inquire about this exciting program click this link for security degrees.

The Online Master of Safety, Security & Emergency Management degree is ideal for a security professional who is seeking a career in management or as a senior security officer.  This particular program has a number of concentrations available, depending on the type of security work the student wishes to do upon graduation:

• Occupational Safety -Develop the critical management skills required by engineers, occupational safety and loss prevention personnel involved in risk management and occupational safety.
• Homeland Security – Meet the demands and challenges of the real world and its ever-changing threats to the security of the nation.
• Ergonomics – Address risk factors, regulatory requirements as well as policy development, effective ergonomic management techniques and occupational safety program development to ensure a safe and healthful work environment for employees.
• Fire & Emergency Safety – Build experience-based skills of professional fire, rescue and emergency response personnel.

There is also a multidisciplinary track that enables students to learn a more general overview of security without a specific concentration. Upon graduation, students holding security degrees can find careers in the following positions:

• Security director
• Assets protection manager
• Risk manager
• Loss control or safety manager

Tuition for the security degrees at EKU ranges from $325-$500 per credit hour depending on whether you enroll full-time or take a single course. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

To request further information on EKU’s Security Degrees, visit this link: security degrees.

For graduate students, ACU is also offering accelerated masters degree programs that will help students get on the track to career advancement sooner than ever! For more info, click here: ACU online masters degree.

Currently, ACU offers 4 masters degree programs for their online students:

• Master of Education (with concentrations on Leadership of Learning and Curriculum & Instruction) – This degree is ideal for students that want to pursue careers of leadership and authority within the educational system.
• Master of Education in Higher Education – This degree is for students who want to obtain leadership roles within higher education systems specifically.
• Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution & Reconciliation – For those who seek a career in a management or leadership role in any organization, or as roles as corporate facilitators, consider earning an MA in Conflict Resolution & Reconciliation.
• Master of Science in Organizational & Human Resource Development – For a career as a corporate executive, human resource specialist, labor relations specialist, or mediator, consider this degree for your online masters degree.

Each program instructs students to take two courses at a time, each course is seven weeks in length. This will allow students to complete their online masters degree in 18-24 months. ACU advises that students spend on average 12-15 hours per week on schoolwork. Transfer credits, however, are not allowed for their online programs. Programs start 6 times per year, so there’s very little waiting required before you begin your first classes. This also then helps the student finish their degree sooner in order to realize their ultimate career goals.

For more information on any of these degrees, follow this link to have an admissions representative contact you: ACU online masters degree.

Kaplan University is one of the most well-known online universities, and has seen the need for a degree program that will allow RNs to earn their BSN at their own time, when their schedule permits. This online RN to BSN degree program can be completed at home, or wherever there is a computer with a working internet connection. Get more information here: Kaplan RN to BSN.

Since RNs already have accumulated a certain number of credits (about 90), this RN to BSN program is more of a degree completion program, so the time spent earning a BSN will be substantially less than if you were a college freshman starting from scratch.

The RN to BSN program consists of core courses, such as bioethics, statistics, psychology, and physical science. Upon completion of the core curriculum, students will then be able to move on the specialized courses like health/wellness assessment, nursing research, leadership and management in the healthcare environment, and the foundations of advanced nursing. There will also be an elective requirement that will allow students to choose their own courses that may pertain more to the area of study on which they wish to focus.

The tuition rates for this online RN to BSN degree program are relatively reasonable. Since there is already a requirement to have at least 90 credits from your associates in nursing, the remaining 91 credits will assist you in completing your BSN degree. Current tuition is $371.00 per credit hour which is relatively standard as far as undergraduate tuition rates go. Financial aid is also available to those who qualify.

If you would like to contact Kaplan University about earning that BSN degree that you have always wanted, click on the following link to request more information: Kaplan RN to BSN.