New Year's Resolutions Sending Working Adults Back to School
Submitted by: University of Wisconsin Platteville Distance Learning Center
2007-12-21 00:01:16
The New Year's offers students the opportunity to pursue their goal of earning a college degree by returning to college through a distance education program. Prospective students should take many factors into consideration when choosing the right school for them.
Platteville, WI (OPENPRESS) December 21, 2007 -- For some working adults, their New Year's resolution will not involve weight loss or becoming more active: they will focus on earning the college degree they have always wanted.
Earning a higher education degree can be challenging for working adults who have to juggle family responsibilities with a full-time job. A number of distance education programs now allow students an alternative with the flexibility that fits into their busy schedules. Unfortunately, not all programs are created with the same standards and prospective students need to be careful when searching for a program.
Accreditation: Some online schools that offer degrees are not always legitimate schools. Students looking for a college should check to see if the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Another helpful strategy is to find a university that operates in conjunction with a traditional brick and mortar university. For example, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is a traditional university that offers full degree programs both on campus and through the Internet.
Synchronous or asynchronous: If students are looking for maximum flexibility with their studies, it is important to see if the school operates in an asynchronous or synchronous environment. The student must be on the computer at a specific time with the other students in the class if the classes are synchronous. Students can log in at any time of the day and complete their work in an asynchronous environment using tools such as blogs, email and discussion groups.
Campus visits: While some programs claim to be distance education programs, they still require students to visit campus occasionally for projects or special classes. This can cost the student a significant amount of time and travel expenses and should be considered when choosing a university.
Virtual student services: Even in the digital age, students want to feel connected. Students should research both physical and virtual services available to them. Students should look for schools that offer advisement, career placement, and library services at a distance. However, if a student has additional questions or concerns, they should be able to contact the campus and speak to a real person.
UW-Platteville's Distance Learning Center provides college degree opportunities for students around the world in two undergraduate and three graduate degrees through print and online classes. On-site workshops are also offered to companies for continued employee training. For more information, visit www.uwplatt.edu/disted/ or call 800-362-5460.
Contact:
Les Hollingsworth
1 University Plaza
Phone: 608-342-1468
hollingsworl@uwplatt.edu
Contact Info
University of Wisconsin Platteville Distance Learning Center
Phone: 800.362.5460
Website: http://www.uwplatt.edu/disted/
Distance Learning Center
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
1 University Plaza
Platteville, WI 53818-3099
