The Benefits of Online Education for Your College Degree Program

Whether you’re balancing a job, family or other commitments, online classes can fit into your life. You can log in from wherever you happen to be at any time that works for you. Online learning is designed to fit into your schedule and saves you a commute to a campus. All you may need is a reliable internet connection and a computer or mobile device.

You can even break each lesson down into smaller chunks and complete a little bit at a time.  Online education allows you to maintain better control of your schedule, your learning environment and your work-life balance.

In a traditional campus-based environment, classes are typically scheduled at specific times on certain days. Online learning works differently, allowing you to choose when and where you want to study, with many tools and support options available around the clock. In addition, the online format works for a variety of learning styles with a balance of lessons, assignments and discussion groups.

Over the years, businesses around the globe have adapted to consumers’ changing needs and shifted their operations online. Now more than ever, strong digital skills are important to compete in many fields. Completing an online degree program can introduce you to a wide variety of digital tools and teach you about a variety of skills you can use in an increasingly virtual world.

Some of the benefits of online education may include the opportunity to connect with professionals from a variety of locations. Your professors and fellow online students could likely be a diverse group with very different backgrounds, areas of expertise and specializations. You may have the opportunity to increase your network, collaborate virtually with a wide range of professionals and possibly find mentors to help you chart your path after graduation.

Pursuing an online degree can be an engaging experience for many students just like you. Online learning requires you to practice time management and self-discipline which are often prized in the modern workplace. You can learn to be a self-starter, communicate clearly in writing and balance competing priorities. These soft skills can be valuable to many employers, and they might help you pursue the job of your dreams.

If you’re looking for an efficient path to your future, consider a stackable or embedded program. Here at DeVry, our stackable programs offer you the opportunity to start by earning an undergraduate certificate, and then apply those credits toward a related associate or bachelor’s degree.¹ When choosing an embedded path, you’ll enroll in your bachelor’s degree program and automatically earn an undergraduate certificate and associate degree once you’ve completed the required coursework.¹

Time is a precious commodity. One of the benefits of online learning is the ability to maintain your own study schedule. In an online program, you may have the flexibility to complete lessons that are easier for you at a faster pace, then slow down and be more methodical in the coursework that you find to be more challenging.

While we’re talking about your time and how you can manage it with online learning, consider the time that could be saved by eliminating the commute to a college campus. Depending on the distance and mode of transportation, this could add up to several hours per week. That’s time that you could be using much more productively by going to school remotely.

Some online programs may allow you to earn an undergraduate degree in less time than the traditional, 4-year college program. At DeVry, some of our bachelor’s degree programs can be completed in as little as 2 years and 8 months, or even more quickly with qualifying transfer credits.*

There are many factors that can influence the amount of time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree, and we encourage you to consider them.

Opting for online classes can help you find balance in many ways. Aside from eliminating the need to attend to class at a certain time, online classes may help reduce the overall pressure of going back to school. When you study online, you can: 

Could online learning also be better for the planet? Alongside its cost-saving attributes, there may also be environmental benefits to online learning. It makes sense when you think about the factors contributing to higher education’s carbon footprint.

According to the Sustainable Business Tool Kit website, online learning is better for the planet in several ways:

Online education programs are designed to support you as you study remotely. At DeVry, our students have access to tools such as on-demand tutoring,² a digital library and a support team dedicated to helping you navigate everything from financial aid to course selection. You’ll also be part of a community of peers who are working toward similar goals. Throughout your education, you can take advantage of our career services support to help you pursue jobs in your field.

Online education can be a flexible path toward your goals. Whether you are trying to balance work, family or other obligations, an online degree program can be a great choice. In addition to gaining the practical skills and knowledge you need for your chosen career path, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about a variety of valuable soft skills, improve your digital literacy and experience the support of an educational community that is dedicated to helping you.