On the Rise: Higher Enrollment in Online Education Leads to Increased Learning Opportunities

The reasons for choosing to pursue a college degree, both at the undergraduate and graduate level are as plentiful as they are diverse. From a better balance of work, home and school life, accelerated learning courses and the ability to study anytime and anywhere, the reputation these courses are receiving have been steadily improving since the late 90’s.

While the majority of the students who populate these courses can be deemed nontraditional, the level of education they look to receive is anything but. From students who face logistical challenges in attending college and university classes to others who aren’t ready to leave their full-time job behind, online courses are becoming an increasingly viable option for many adults.

In the latest survey conducted by Babson Research Group it was reported that the number of college students enrolled in at least on class surpassed more than 6 million. Other key findings from this survey include:

· 560,000 more students enrolled in online courses between the years of 2010 and 2011

· Online course attendance grew 10% while traditional college enrollment only grew 2%

· 31% of all students enrolled in a higher education institution are enrolled in at least one online course

· When polled, academic advisors were told that the quality of education these students are receiving is not only on par with their classroom counterparts, it can occasionally exceed it

· 65% of college institutions say that online learning is an integral part to a school’s long term growth plan

With almost 460 participating colleges across the United States, finding a program at multiple levels of study across multiple different disciplines is almost as easy as enrolling in a face-to-face classroom.

Dr. RuthAnn Althaus a professor of Health Administration and Coordinator of the Master of Health Administration online Program in the Department of Social and Public Health at Ohio University, states the following about the online program she lends her knowledge to,

“In this program you will interact with faculty members who radiate passion for their chosen line of work and who are devoted to delivering rigorous, relevant, and influential curriculum in a dynamic academic environment.”

As more and more students enroll in these online programs increased funding and research is being put into further improving and streamlining them into what we perceive a college education to be. 2U, a Maryland based technology company is leading the way with its innovative software for students seeking degrees online. 2U has partnered with several big name colleges from Boston College to University of Southern California and brought improved functionality to online learning through mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones.

US News and World Report has been carefully collecting data on all of the online programs offered within the United States and publishes a list of the top performing schools based on the following rankings:

· Student engagement

· Faculty Credentials

· Peer Reputation

· Student Services

Take a look at their comprehensive list of schools and programs here.