How to Choose an Online Degree Program

What do you need to know to pick an online degree program that is right for you? Is it different from choosing an in-person program? Who can you turn to for help?

The University of Arkansas offers more than 90 degree and licensure programs delivered online. They include bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and cover many study areas. Most are offered 100% online, with a handful of hybrid offerings that require some in-person attendance.

Let’s answer these questions.

 

What is My Purpose?

Matthew Ganio, an administrator in the College of Education and Health Professions at the U of A, advised that prospective students need to clearly understand what they want and why they want it. Ganio, a member of the exercise science faculty since 2011, was named associate dean for academic and student affairs in March 2023. In that role, he facilitates changes and additions to degree plans, accreditation and assessments. The college offers 28 of its 64 degree and certificate programs online.

Questions prospective students should ask include:

• Is this the degree I want?
• Is this degree necessary for promotion in my job?
• Am I interested in a new career?
• Are there any in-person requirements?
• How flexible are the start and end periods for completing a particular class or degree?
• Is it asynchronous or synchronous learning?

Synchronous instruction means the students in an online course must log in to the course on specific days and times. Asynchronous instruction allows students to log in at whatever time of the day or day of the week is convenient for them. In most cases, for both models, there are due dates and assignments due each week.

“Institutions have slightly different ways of naming their online offerings, so students should understand what will be involved before they apply,” Ganio said.

 

Importance of Accreditation

For prospective students who want an online degree for a job that requires licensure such as nursing, making sure the program is accredited and meets the licensure requirements for the state they live in is important.

“This means a state or national governing body has recognized the program as providing the necessary education to sit for a licensure exam,” Ganio explained. “If the program is not accredited, you will not be able to get licensed or even sit for a licensure exam, no matter how well you did in your classes.”

An accredited program will typically include that information on its website, and accrediting bodies will also list accredited programs on their websites. The nursing degrees offered by the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the U of A are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

“If you talk to a school about accreditation, follow up in writing and ask them for evidence regarding their accreditation status,” Ganio suggested. 

 

Examine the Curriculum

Look at the curriculum of an online degree as well, Ganio recommended.

“What are the classes called?” he said. “Do they look interesting and delivered in a way that is conducive to your learning? I also recommend understanding who teaches the classes. Are they full-time faculty employed by the university or are they hired to teach one or two classes? Both have advantages and disadvantages, but understanding this will help any student make an informed decision.”

The catalog of studies can answer some of these questions.

 

What About Technology?

Prospective students should also find out what technology support is provided for an online program versus an in-person program, Ganio said. 

“What are the hours of the tech support team? How do you get help – phone, email, form? You may even try calling them to see how the interaction works. Technology is a critical part of online education, and if students aren’t comfortable with how support works for that, they should be cautious.”

The Blackboard Help Desk offers extended hours to accommodate students who work full time and do most of their assignments and projects after normal business hours. The average age of online students at the U of A is 31 for undergraduates and 34 for graduate students. 

 

Services for Online Students

Patty Milner leads a team that both recruits students for online degree programs and provides student services from the first inquiry through graduation. Now the assistant vice provost for innovation and the online student experience at Global Campus, Milner began working at the U of A in 2017.

The Global Campus provides information for prospective students initially through email, followed by one-on-one assistance by phone, chat or email from student liaisons and coaches. These are separate from recruitment and academic advising services offered by academic colleges. The Global Campus liaisons primarily work with prospective students while coaches work with students after they are enrolled.

Milner suggested that prospective students look at graduates of the program in which they are interested. Are they doing what you want to do? The Global Campus’ blog, The Online Learner, features students and graduates describing their experiences in their degree programs along with stories about their careers. LinkedIn and the Arkansas Alumni Association are potential sources for that information, too. Many academic programs will also provide information on their websites about career outcomes, Milner said, and the liaisons can help prospective students find that information.

 

Asking Questions

Radiance Murphy Orrin has worked as a student liaison for two years. Liaisons ask questions to find out how best to help a prospective student. In a few cases, there may be more than one degree that sounds similar, and the liaison will drill down to find out exactly what sort of work the prospective student wants to do, they said.

While prospective students want to buy a product, in this case a degree, Orrin said, the liaisons’ top priority is not to sell them a product, if the U of A does not offer what they want. If liaisons have knowledge about a program that students want that is not offered by the U of A, they will mention other institutions, Orrin said. 

“We are advocates for the person asking for our help,” they said. 

Milner agreed. 

“We want to help someone meet their goal, and we want to be the institution for them,” she said. “But we don’t offer everything; we are not designed to offer everything, particularly online.”

 

Speaking Up

Milner advised prospective students to consider whether an institution’s representatives are really listening to them.

“We distinguish ourselves particularly from the for-profit, high-pressure institutions that are trying to meet quotas,” she said. “They are constantly hammering you about enrolling in classes. We are going to remind you to submit your admissions paperwork. That is different from the profit motivation.”

Prospective students also need to advocate for themselves, and sometimes that requires seeking help, Orrin said. 

“Read the program pages and ask us your questions,” they said. “We will point you in the right direction.”

 

Breaking Down Goals

Milner said liaisons can also help prospective students keep the cost of higher education in perspective. If they feel they can’t afford to pursue a bachelor’s degree, they have options such as going to a community college and getting an associate’s degree so that they can get a better job or start working and earn the money they need to complete a bachelor’s degree. 

The U of A also offers certificates delivered online that can teach students skills they need to start or advance their careers. These typically take less time to complete than a degree. Additionally, some for-credit certificates offered online can later be used as a basis for a master’s degree.

Both the liaisons and the Global Campus blog offer information about options for funding a college degree from employer benefits to state and federal aid. Several professions with a high need for educated employees such as nursing and teaching offer funding for students.

“Our overall message is that there is value in having a conversation,” Milner said. “People are willing and available to answer questions, and we want to remove the stigma that can come when someone thinks they should already know the answers. We have staff whose role it is to help you with the exact thing you are trying to do. When you have questions and you find yourself frustrated, reach out. Getting help is totally normal. We want to help you.”