US universities have the capacity to accommodate large number of students. However, the number of students seeking admission in US universities is much larger than what these institutions can accommodate. There lies the genesis of Online University Degree.

The US institutions offering Online University Degree present an excellent opportunity for those students who began their education in some junior college, community college, or university, but could not complete it for some reasons. They also offer an excellent opportunity for them who are working. Online courses offer the individuals an option to balance their academic, professional and personal life according to their requirements. Flexibility in pursuing the academic programme is one of the most important characteristics, which attracts students community towards these online courses.

There are large numbers of institutions in US which offer online courses. Some of them are, Regent University Online, ITT Tech, Argosy University Online, National University, I.A Film School, South University Online, Westwood College Online, and so on. These universities have several campuses in US. For example, 18 cities across the United States host branches of Argosy University. The ITT Technical Institute has ninety campuses in US.

The disciplines of study offered under Online University Degree schemes are somewhat restricted. For example, Argosy University Online offers Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Under Master's programme, it offers MA in Forensic Psychology, MS in Health Services Management, MS in Management, MBA, MAEd Educational Leadership, and MAEd Instructional Leadership etc. Under Doctoral programme, it offers EdD Counseling Psychology, EdD Educational Leadership, EdD Instructional Leadership, EdD in Organizational Leadership, and EdD in Community College Executive Leadership etc. Regent University offers Bachelor's degree in English, Psychology, Government, Communication, Global Business, Religious Studies, Leadership and Management and Associate's degree in Business, Psychology, Christian Studies, and General Studies. The number of courses being offered in the field of science, medicine, engineering and technology are insignificant. The ITT Technical Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana offers Bachelor's degree in Construction Management and Associate's degree in Web design.

Admission requirements for online courses offered by the US institutions are relaxed in comparison to the requirements for campus based courses. These institutions use modern technology of video conferencing to impart lessons in the virtual class rooms. Effectively, these institutions have made the world a virtual class room which is only good for the humanity. Apart from video conferencing, one to one chatting between the student and the faculty member facilitates the academic interaction, problem solving and assignment based online discussions. These institutions make study materials available online. These study materials include innovative graphics, animations and video clips.

With the considerable advancement in technology, usage of Internet has been enhanced spectacularly. Nowadays, almost every school is well equipped with Internet facilities, along with great bandwidth and astonishing data flow.

Interestingly, computers and Internet has become a common household name. It clearly suggests that almost all the neighboring computers are well connected and are effectively communicating with each other. Thus, online education has a shining future in the coming time.

If provided with good online educational resources, online education will be a boon for the upcoming students. In order to take hold of the education sector, online education needs to be user-friendlier with significant learning expertise.

Online education is already become popular with the private industry. It has effectively made its presence felt in the private sector, as several online corporate educational programs are being conveyed.

Benefits of Online Education

Online education is immensely valuable for those, who are looking for flexible study timings. Students can study in accordance with their timings and have adequate opportunity for the optimal usage of time.

Online Education is beneficial for people having fixed work commitments and are unable to enhance their degrees. They can make the best from their leisure hours by opting for online education. Elderly people or housewives can also enroll into online education for advance degrees or improve their professional skills.

Ways for Attaining Online Education

In order to attain an online degree or pursue an online education, all you need to do is get one computer. If you are worried about the lectures and courses then you need not bother. You can easily download all the study material and courses from Internet.

You can also browse further to attain more information on specific topics or subject. Sharing of thoughts and suggestions among the students can be done via email.

This is an information age and there is consistent increment in the amount of information daily. To catch all the information, all you need is to sit in front of your computer and click the mouse. Moreover, it will open a floodgate for a varied range of career opportunities. So, what are you waiting for? Make your dream come true and get ready to accept some of the best and lucrative job opportunities with online education.

If you're thinking about signing up for an online degree program there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to earn a degree online so you don't get caught up in one of the scams or diploma mills instead of one of the legitimate online degree programs whether you want a bachelor's degree, masters degree, doctorate, associate or undergraduate degree, business, nursing, education or psychology degree or any other.

First of all what is a degree mill? A degree mill is a bogus college or university that sells college or university diplomas. It's actually selling you just a piece of paper, not a document that verifies your educational experience form an accredited institution.

Getting a college or university degree is one of the most expensive items people acquire in their lifetime. Many jobs or careers require a college degree. Because of this the demand is high for college degrees and there are businesses that make big business out of selling these diplomas, especially on the Internet.

How can you tell if the college or online college is bogus, a scam or phony?

First make sure the online college or university is accredited. This is one of the easiest things to check. If the college or university is accredited you still need to check and make sure it's accredited by an agency that is recognized by the CHEA (Council of Higher Education Accreditation.)

You'll find that the majority of the online diploma mills are accredited. The chilling fact is that when you check the accreditation they seem legitimate enough. It appears they are accredited. However the startling fact is they have created these bogus agencies themselves. The names of the agencies can sound like they are legitimate and most people would assume that accreditation means just that. But this is not so.

The first thing to do is to contact the CHEA and find out if the accrediting agency is listed on their accreditation list of college and university accrediting agencies, both on campus and online. You will also need to do this for any online degree program or online degree course you're considering.

If the admission criteria is based solely on owning a credit card or of previous academic records transcripts or GPA's and test scores aren't necessary for the online degree than be suspicious.

If you only need to fax a resume and acceptance is based on a review of it, be suspicious.
Many universities offer credit for career experience, but evaluating career experience for college credit is not a simple matter.

There isn't a university online degree program or distance learning university in the US that awards a master's degree or doctorate online that is based solely on a review of career experience. But there are some undergraduate programs that will do it. They will usually limit the credit for experience to a maximum of ten courses or about 30 semester credits, which amounts to about one year of a four-year degree.

If you're guaranteed a diploma within 30 days of application beware of a scam. Since degree mills are only in business to sell you a piece of paper they can make all the guarantees and promises they want.

Beware if it charges a lump sum such as $2,500 for an undergraduate degree or perhaps $3,500 for a graduate degree. Universities do not charge flat fees for degrees. Colleges and universities charge per the credit or per the course tuition and assorted fees.

Check with the online Better Business Bureau. See if they have any complaints on file about online degree mills or online degree program or courses and particularly any one that you have in mind.

If you're told by the diploma mill representative that online universities can't be accredited by the CHEA recognized agencies, this is not true. Many accredited universities have online degree programs.

Find out if the online degree program has a list of faculty who have attended schools other than those listed on bogus accredited agencies.

Beware if the online degrees are offered from another country but solely to US residents.

Armed with this knowledge you should be able to easily determine whether the online degree school or distant learning program is a diploma mill, scam or not. Be careful. Many do a lot of advertising and sound and look credible. Find out the name of the accreditation agency is and check them out. Taking the time to do this can save you a lot of money, time and energy later.