If you aren’t ready to settle on a major but want to start earning a degree, consider enrolling in an online general studies degree program.

There are some fantastic things to think about when considering an online general studies degree program. Let’s take it piece by piece:

Online – You can take your courses when it’s convenient for you from the comforts of your own home as long as you have a computer and working Internet connection. Let school fit into your schedule instead of the other way around.

General Studies – You will study a bit of everything including Liberal Arts, Science, Business, Mathematics, etc.. It will be very similar to your high school experience where you studied a variety of topics.

Many schools offer a General Studies degree online and on-campus. It is a great degree to consider if you don’t know what to study but want to earn a degree. It leaves several doors open in terms of careers, and continues to provide you with the well-rounded education you received when you were younger.

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.

Online learning is exactly what it says: You learn online, using the internet. Hundreds of colleges nationwide have jumped on the online learning bandwagon and are offering individual courses as well as full degree programs through your home computer or laptop. There are a great number of advantages to online learning.

1. The ability to learn from anywhere! That’s right. If you have a computer in your living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen, you can take a college or high school class. If you have a laptop the opportunities to learn from anywhere can get even better. As long as the laptop has a wireless connection or some sort of air-card, students can learn on the train, in the park or even in their favorite coffee shop. With many major cities adding citywide WiFi connections, the ability to log on and gain access to information for coursework leaves very little excuse for not being able to “attend class”.

2. No more rush-hour traffic or annoying commute to campus. No need to worry about a parking space or having all of your materials with you after you make a mad dash out of work to jump onto the highway only to get stuck in a traffic jam. While most online learning doesn’t require to to attend class online at certain day or time, you are required to log onto the student portal for a certain number of hours per week. There are still assignment and test deadlines, but if you wish to participate in your neighborhood’s bowling teams on Tuesday nights at 7:30, don’t let that get in the way of earning your degree. If you are a student who works second or third shift at your current place of employment, you are still able to fit your classwork into your schedule, not the other way around.

3. An online degree is worth just as much as an on-campus degree. I heard an argument the other day from someone that “prospective employers don’t consider online degrees as highly regarded as on-campus”, and that’s why they chose to get permission to leave work early, sit in traffic and still arrive to their class late 3 times per week. Upon graduating from an online degree program, students receive the exact same diploma as on-campus students. No where does it mention that it is an online degree because there is no difference. The way the materials are presented during the degree program may differ, but there are still class discussions and assignments as well as lectures and exams. So whether you’re “busting your rear” in a classroom or cuddled up on your couch in your PJ’s, you’re still earning the same degree.

I really could go on and on about why I enjoy online learning, but I think these few arguments are reason enough to consider enrolling in an online degree program.

• Grand Canyon University was established in 1949.
• Located in Phoenix, Arizona
• Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited
• GCU offers online Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs and supports both traditional students and working professionals
• Grand Canyon University online has very low tuition rates

Want to learn more? Take 2 minutes and get the details you need (pre-reqs, term start dates, financial aid, etc.) from Grand Canyon University Online.

History of Grand Canyon University Online

Ranked as one of the top online education programs, GCU is one of Arizona’s leading institutions for higher learning. Established in the aftermath of World War II, the first campus was set up in Prescott, Arizona as Grand Canyon’s first campus.

Today, Grand Canyon University online strives to prepare learners to become global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible leaders by a providing an academically challenging, values-based curriculum from the context of our Christian Heritage.

Grand Canyon University Online – Online Programs

GCU has a variety of options for you when it comes time to decide which area you want to study. Education, Nursing- Health Sciences, Business and Liberal Arts are great way to start a career and six regional agencies provide institutional accreditation based on location – such as Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern and Western.  These geographic locales are independent of one another, but the six regions cooperate extensively and recognize each one’s accreditation.

Grand Canyon University Online – What sets them apart?

GCU online students are assigned to a virtual instructor and community of fellow learners where they can participate in a global issues, educational conversations and a number of other mind stimulators that make it feel as if you are in the middle of the classroom and on campus – when in fact you are in the confines of your dining room.

Classes are taught by some of the best professors with established resumes and credentials. Students also are encouraged to perform stimulating projects and that incorporate life skills throughout their time at GCU online.

If Grand Canyon University sounds like a match for you, and you would like more extensive details, start here: Grand Canyon University Online.

Grand Canyon University Online Degrees

• BA in Christian Studies
• BA in Communications
• BA in English for Secondary Teachers
• BA in English Literature
• BA in History
• BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
• BS in Accounting
• BS in Applied Management
• BS in Business Administration
• BS in Business Administration – Healthcare Management
• BS in Business Administration – Management of Information Systems
• BS in Business Administration – Sport Management
• BS in Elementary Education – Early Childhood Education
• BS in Elementary Education – English (With IR and Cert.)
• BS in Elementary Education – Math (With IR and Cert.)
• BS in Elementary Education – Science (With IR and Cert.)
• BS in Elementary/Special Education (Dual Major)
• BS in Emergency Management (Degree Completion)
• BS in Entrepreneurial Studies
• BS in Finance and Economics
• BS in Justice Studies
• BS in Marketing
• BS in Math for Secondary Teachers
• BS in Psychology
• BS in Public Safety Administration
• BS in Secondary Education – Business Education and Technology
• BS in Secondary Education – English
• BS in Secondary Education – Math
• BS in Secondary Education – Social Studies
• BS in Social Studies for Secondary Teachers
• BS in Sociology Master
• MA in Teaching (No IR, No Cert)
• MBA and MS in Leadership
• MBA in Accounting (Ken Blanchard College of Business)
• MBA in Finance (Ken Blanchard College of Business)
• MBA in General Management (Ken Blanchard College of Business)
• MBA in Leadership (Ken Blanchard College of Business)
• MBA in Management Information Systems (Ken Blanchard College of Business)
• MBA in Marketing (Ken Blanchard College of Business)
• MBA in Six Sigma (Ken Blanchard College of Business)
• MED in Certified Special Educators (No IR, No Cert)
• MED in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading (No IR, No Cert)
• MED in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading (No IR, No Cert.)
• MED in Curriculum and Instruction: Technology (No IR, No Cert.)
• MED in Education Administration (With IR and Cert)
• MED in Elementary Education (No IR, No Cert)
• MED in Elementary Education (With IR and Cert)
• MED in Instructional Technology (No IR, No Cert)
• MED in Organizational Leadership (No IR, No Cert)
• MED in School Leadership (No IR, No Cert)
• MED in Secondary Education (No IR, No Cert)
• MED in Secondary Education (With IR and Cert)
• MED in Special Education (No IR, No Cert)
• MED in Special Education (With IR and Cert)
• MED in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (No IR, No Cert)
• MS in Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Management
• MS in Executive Fire Service Leadership
• MS in Leadership

Grand Canyon University Online Tuition and Financial Aid

Grand Canyon University Online Tuition varies depending on the degree program and level, but tuition starts as low as $250 a credit. Financial aid is available for qualified students including scholarships, grants, loans, and payment plans.

Need more info? Take a couple minutes and get the details you need (pre-reqs, term start dates, program details, etc.) from Grand Canyon University Online.

• University of Maryland University College was established in 1947
• UMUC is located in Adelphi, Maryland
• UMUC is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• UMUC is governed by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents and certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
• With classroom locations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Europe, and Asia, UMUC provides award-winning online classes to students worldwide and has a global reputation for excellence.
• Solid, global reputation
• Offers dozens of online degrees in a wide-range of fields

Interested? Take 2 minutes and get complete details (pre-reqs, term start dates, program details, etc.) from University of Maryland University College.

History of University of Maryland University College

Founded in 1947, UMUC has built an institution of working adults that includes military personnel and other students around the globe that look to achieve their degree for higher learning. Adult students worldwide, choose UMUC as their school as it provides a an array of programs not offered at other institutions. UMUC greatly concentrates on having a global university and serves more than 90,000 students worldwide.

UMUC Online Programs

UMUC offers everything from Business and Management Programs to Psychology and Legal Studies. UMUC also puts you on the quick path to professional and academic credentials by offering certificate programs in your field of study. There are a number of options to explore in Graduate and Undergraduate Certificates.

UMUC Online Programs – What sets them apart?

UMUC makes is easy to stay informed and helps you through the process of “getting set up” by supplying you with different versions of online open housing and offers a wide range of options for you to finance your schooling.  Qualified teachers, real world experience and practical education accelerates you to get the degree you deserve!

Want to learn more? Take 2 minutes and get the complete scoop from UMUC.

UMUC Online Degrees:

• Business and Management
• Communication, Arts, and Humanities
• Computer Information Systems and Technology
• Legal Studies, Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Psychology, Social Science, and Science
• Business and Executive
• Doctor of Management
• Health Care Administration
• Information and Technology Systems
• Management, Accounting, and Finance
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Teacher Education

UMUC Online Program Tuition and Financial Aid

UMUC tuition for online programs varies depending on the degree program and level. Financial aid is available for qualified students including scholarships, grants, loans, and payment plans.

Need more info? Take a couple minutes and get the details you need (pre-reqs, term start dates, program details, etc.) from University of Maryland University College.

Source: University of Maryland University College website, 2008.