College, like many things in life, doesn't always work out the first, second, or third time you try. However, leaving a college degree unfinished will mean that money you've invested in your college degree will be lost. Online college courses can help you restart your degree where you left off.
Here are some of the ways that online college courses help students returning to college after a prolonged break.
Credit Recovery
Many college students attend several institutions before earning a degree. The biggest issue with bouncing between schools is getting your credits to transfer. Online college courses can add to the credits you've already earn toward a degree.
- Transferability: Not all online college course providers readily accept transfer credits. Before you enroll in a school, work with an academic advisor to review your high school and college transcripts. Finding an online college course provider willing to accept your college credits can save you time and money. After reviewing your transcripts, an academic advisor should be able to give you several degree path options. From that point, you can select the degree plan that works best for your goals and schedule.
Testing Out
Some colleges have started using proficiency-based standards for earning credits. This model allows you to test out of remedial courses by passing a final exam before taking the course. Finding an online college course provider with this model can accelerate your path to a degree.
- Diagnostics: Online college course providers will normally give students returning to college a brief diagnostic test. After reviewing the results, your academic advisor can help you pick classes that match your ability and knowledge levels. They can also suggest courses you can likely test out of. When done properly, you might be able to earn a year's worth of college credits in a single semester.
Flat Fee
As college tuition continues to rise, some schools have taken creative approaches to how they price their degrees. One pricing model that continues to gain popularity is a flat fee for every academic term.
- Self-Paced: Some online college course providers empower students to move at their own pace. Thus, if you can finish your classes in 4 weeks, why wait another 6 or 8 weeks before starting another round of classes? Online college course providers using this model will sometimes offer flat fees for each academic term. The more classes you can complete per term, the less money you'll pay for your degree.
Contact an online college program for more information.