Is Online Education Right for You? Here Are 4 Things to Know

There are many questions when it comes to deciding if online education is right for you. Technology has made it possible to bring the benefits of in-person learning into a virtual environment. And in some situations, online learning may even offer benefits that an in-person education can’t. 

Here are some basics to know about online learning to help you decide if it's the right fit for you.

1. New technologies have revolutionized connectivity in online education

Technology has helped reinvent education. The ability to create engaging learning experiences through personalized, online educational platforms and increase engagement with appealing videos and dynamic content are some of the biggest technology-driven transformations that have helped change online education. You can join in on face-to-face discussions, engage with multiple forms of interactive materials and stay as connected with your classmates and professors as you would in a physical classroom.

Thanks to these technological changes, online programs can be delivered through synchronous content or asynchronous content, or sometimes a combination of both. Asynchronous content is accessible at any time, such as pre-recorded videos and slide decks. Synchronous content, on the other hand, entails live sessions where students need to be present (whether in-person or virtually).

2. Online universities can be recognized for quality education

An institutionally accredited university is an institution that meets all of the criteria for quality education set forth by a regional or national accrediting body. The university usually has to respond to highly detailed questions about its goals, leadership, quality of instruction, academic programs, student learning experience and financial health, among other things. The university also must provide evidence of regular self-evaluation that leads to continuous improvements. Once this information has been collected, reviewers from the accrediting bodies conduct on-site visits to confirm that the university is meeting the accrediting body’s standards.

Strayer University is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), www.msche.org. Strayer University’s accreditation status is Accreditation Reaffirmed. MSCHE most recently reaffirmed Strayer University’s accreditation status in June 2017, with the next self-study evaluation scheduled for the 2025–2026 academic year. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

3. You’re part of an online network of faculty and students

Connectivity is the emphasis of most cutting-edge online programs. Through synchronous learning, you communicate with peers and professors in real time. Even the asynchronous components allow you to collaborate with classmates, seek advice from faculty and access student support. Email, video conferencing, discussion boards and social media, as well as programs such as student-to-student mentoring, help you feel supported and like you’re a part of your university – because you are.

4. Online degrees can fit into your life

Online education is designed for the lifelong learner, not restricted to the confines of a brick-and-mortar classroom, who is immersed in technology and constantly on the go. Earning your degree online allows you to pursue it at your own pace, without rearranging your entire life. You don’t need to relocate, quit your job or even enroll full-time to learn online. These programs are ideal for working adults seeking to pursue new goals, because they allow you to continue moving toward your career goals as you learn.

There are several factors that go into deciding if an online degree program is right for you. What’s important is that you decide based on your own goals and which options fit easily into your life.

Learn more about Strayer University's online degrees.