Poll – “Why Do You Choose Online Education?”

Kaplan Continuing Education wants to know why YOU choose online education from KCE. There are many advantages to online education including convenience, freedom from scheduling, and the ability to work while continuing education.

So tell us: “Why Do YOU Choose Online Education?” Voice your opinion in the comments!

Kaplan Continuing Education Shows Trends for Top Online Education Programs

Kaplan Continuing Education provides insight into trends for top online education programs. With the economic downturn, many professionals are now looking for ways to become a more valuable asset by advancing their skills. The demand for training in IT careers and health care professionals is leading to increased enrollment in related certificate programs.

“The trends for online education continue to rise. Many people are looking for alternative education methods where they can be home with their family or continue to work a full-time job, while getting the schooling and enhanced preparation needed for advancing their career. Training for a career in IT and health care can become very lucrative as the baby boomer population needs help in both of these areas,” said Ron Trautman, president of Kaplan Continuing Education.

Online Enrollment Booming in Looming Economy

With the unemployment rates at all time highs and the economy in the dumps, more and more college students are looking to online courses. Online education continues to be a growing trend nationally.
The Babson Survey Research Group reports on recent enrollments, showing that 4.6 million college students were enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2008. This shows a 17% increase from a year earlier.
Online courses offer opportunities for current students to fulfill degree requirements as well as opportunities for those who have been laid off from a job or are currently working and are looking to further their education.

Paying for College Through an Online School

Online schools, such as Kaplan Solutions, know that you have financial restraints, including bills and family expenses. This is why online schools offer payment plans and other options to help fund your education.
Another way to cut the costs of online education is to have a third party reimburse your education. If you are currently employed, you may qualify for employer tuition reimbursement.
Of course, online students can also benefit from scholarships, grants and loans that traditional brick and mortar students take advantage of.

Online Education Continues to Expand

Janice Barnwell, 44, wanted to boost her career by obtaining a master's degree in business; the working mother went against her prior experience with a brick and mortar school and chose an online university for the convenience and low cost. Her educational experience exceeded her expectations and her employer paid for her to take four more online courses to further sharpen her skills.

"At first I was very intimidated (by taking classes remotely). It's something I've never done," said Barnwell. "But it quickly changed for me because the interaction I had online with my classmates and professors felt real."

The online education sector has been growing at a rate of about 20% per year. Today, 1:4 students take at least some college courses online, up from 1:10 in 2002. Two million students, many older than the typical student age range of 18-22 years, take all of their courses online.

President Barack Obama pledged $500 million for online courses and materials as part of a multi-pronged plan aimed at expanding access to college.

29% of U.S. adults have a college degree and only about 40% of Americans who start college, graduate with a degree. Much of this is attributed to the rising tuition costs of brick and mortar schools which increase by about 8% each year.

Jeff Conlon, chief executive of Kaplan Higher Education with some 59,000 online students, said traditional colleges could not meet Obama's goals for higher education "Obama wants to make us first again by 2020," he said. "In order to do that, we need to create 63 million college graduates over that period. The higher education system as constructed will come up 16 million degrees short. There's not capacity in the system."

The cost at Kaplan for a four-year college degree is around $65,000, compared to up to $150,000 or more at a private college.

By studying online, Barnwell saved on the time and travel to the university nearest her New Jersey home. Her online tuition was less than $30,000, one-third the cost of the university.

Online Professional Continuing Education Programs

Many people wonder if online education is right for them. Kaplan Continuing Education helps people who are interested in increasing their professional development and setting academic and career goals. All courses in the program are designed to give the student a sense of community by bringing other students and faculty together to collaborate and exchange ideas.

Online Education, A Busy Woman's Best Friend

More and more women are seeing Online Education as a way to pursue educational goals they never thought possible in their busy lives. 

Many women struggle to find time to attend a brick and mortar institution while juggling a full-time job and a family. Mothers, Wives and Career Women are all turning to online education to better their minds and qualifications. 

Online Education is the perfect solution for stay-at-home moms and business women alike. Women across America are turning to online education and adding "Student" to their long list of titles. 

Who says we can't do everything? We're Women!

10 Reasons to Get an Online Education in a Slowing Economy

Here are 10 reasons why getting an Online Education may be the best career move considering today's economy:

1. Invest in Yourself - Stocks are down. Invest your money in your education and reap the benefits later.

2. Keep your Job - Make yourself a more desirable and motivated employee by learning new skills or earning a certificate.

3. Prepare for the Worst - Layoffs are a reality. Keep your competitive edge by going back to school.

4. Increase your Potential - Higher education can increase the chances of a promotion or raise.

5. Change your Profession - It might be worth your while to become qualified for a career in a more "recession proof" field.

6. Learn Now, Pay Later - You might not have the money for school now, but student loans can help until you are in a secure career.

7. Employee Tuition Reimbursement - Check your employer's policy on tuition reimbursements. You would be surprised how many employers would pitch in for your education.

8. Defer Current Loans - If you are already paying back student loans from the first time around you may be able to defer your payments until even later if you return to school.

9. Save Gas - With today's prices who has the money to drive to class? Online classes offer a more convenient and affordable solution to $4 a gallon.

10. Spare Time - Scheduling classes around a full time job is nearly impossible. If you choose online education you can learn at your own pace in your spare time and you can keep your day job.