Students deciding between a graduate school’s online and on-campus program should pay close attention to the faculty, experts say.
Maureen Johnson doesn't regret her closingto earn an online master's spirit levelin management from Troy University.
But if she could go back in time, the 38-year-old says she would have asked the school more questions about resources provided to online students.
"I had to be self-sufficient," she says. "There was no hand-holding."
As online education continues to explode, graduate schoolsargonadding virtual programs alongside theirtraditionalon-campus offerings. As a result, students like Johnson have a excerptto make: Should they earn a master's stagethrough a school's online program? Or should they complete that same degree on campus?
For many graduate students, and for working adults in particular, an online program can provide the flexibilityneeded to finish school. But on-campus programs also have a variety of benefits, experts say.
[Discover the basics of an online class.]
When graduate students are making the decision about whether to enroll in an online or face-to-face program, experts apprizethey consider the following factors.
1. Cost: Before deciding between a school's online or on-campus graduate program, experts suggest comparing the prices of the two courses of study.
Many good dealmake the mistake of assuming that online courses are cheaper than their brick-and-mortar counterparts. But that'snotalways the case, school officials say.
"Some online programs are more expensive and aboutare less expensive, but in general they are the same price," says Jeff Olson, associate provost for online learning and services at St. Johns University.
2. Difficulty: Students shouldn't hazardthe mistake of assuming that their school's online graduate program will be easier than the in-person version.
"The online environment isnotfor everybody," says Ibrahim Helou, dean of the college of business and human racemanagement at the University of La Verne. "If you arenotself-motivated and genuinelydisciplined you are not going to be winningin an online program. If your writing skills are not excellent, online programs are not for you.
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[Learn how to make a good impression in online classes.]
3. handinessof student services: While many online programs are ramping up their keep backservices for students, experts say many others have a extensiveway to go before they rival the offerings of their on-campus counterparts.
Students considering an online graduate degree should explore whether the program offers tutoring, advising, library services and career counseling, says Susan Aldridge, a senior fellow at the American Association of state of matterColleges and Universities.
Ideally, she says, those services would be available and accessible to students outside of traditionalisticworking hours.
"If the support systems for the online students are only 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., they aren't that useful to the online students," she says.
4. Quality of faculty: It's not uncommon for schools to use contrastiveinstructors for their online and on-campus programs, experts say.
When it comes to online programs, some schools rely heavily on adjunct instructors – professionals in their field who have relevant experience but not necessarily a doctorate. Some students prefer working with adjuncts because they leanto be up-to-speed on workplace trends and have industry connections.
Regardless of their preference, Christine Shakespeare, attendantvice president of continuing and professional education at Pace University, says students should know the differences between faculty in the online and on-campus program.
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