What Are the Differences Between Accredited Online Colleges and Traditional Colleges?

More and more students in our fast-paced world are taking online college courses as opportunities expand instead of attending traditional college classes. Since traditional classes are not always ideal for those with full-time jobs and other unique responsibilities, more online degree programs are being created to suit students’ individual needs. Here we will examine the core differences between the online and traditional colleges, both attractive for unique reasons.

Accredited Online Colleges

Online colleges are accredited by the same agencies and in the same method traditional colleges are. That means any nationally accredited online college can offer you the same quality and credibility that you can find in a brick and mortar college. Online classes offered by an accredited online college are a lot like campus-based classes, but typically the timing is more flexible for people with busy schedules. There are lectures, required reading, assignments, quizzes, tests and everything else that you would find in traditional courses. Like traditional classes, professors lead online classes and contain multiple students with common educational goals. However, you may not meet a single classmate or professor in person.

While professors still communicate with students, this is rarely done face to face. Professors instruct in modern ways—through bulletin boards, streaming video or audio, chat or Web conferences. E-mail and instant messaging are also a big part of communicating in an online classroom with both the professor and other classmates.

Traditional Colleges

Traditional college, on the other hand, has a tendency to attract those wanting the complete “college experience,” which can include dormitory living and perks like gym membership and access to athletic events alongside quality classroom instruction. Traditional college almost always requires students to be present in the classroom, and many professors will dock points from students who are not physically present, regardless of schedule conflicts or if the student is able to complete assignments without attending.

A brick-and-mortar college allows the student to talk in person, or in office hours, with a professor, or to easily interact in person with other students. True social interaction is an everyday facet of traditional college, and many who attend traditional college get involved in fraternities, sororities or academic or religious clubs, which abound at most of these institutions. And since online colleges are a fairly new offering to those seeking higher education, many traditional colleges have had time to build reputations and traditions spanning hundreds of years, reputations it will take online colleges many more years to build.

Top Online Colleges

	Kaplan University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Kaplan University is a respected online institution that offers a variety of degrees to students. Kaplan has campus locations available as well as degrees available online that students can choose from.
	Ashford University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Ashford University has an outstanding faculty and staff willing to help students succeed in their chosen degree path. Ashford offers accredited degrees entirely available to take online.
	University of Phoenix - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's & Doctorate Degrees. As the largest online university in existence, University of Phoenix has a large variety of degrees available. Students will find degree programs offered in high growing industries with an immediate need for new employees.
	Liberty University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. An accredited Christian online university, Liberty prepares students with a great curriculum and faculty. Liberty graduates impact their workplace with their new knowledge of their field.
	American InterContinental University Online - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. American InterContinental University is one of the world's largest and well respected online colleges in existence today. Thousands of students have graduated from AIU over the years and have gone on to have amazing careers in their chosen industry.
	DeVry University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Students just starting their educational career or students already with a degree will find a variety of degrees they will be interested in. DeVry offers high-quality, innovative programs that assist students in obtainting the skills they need to be successful.
	Everest University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Everest University is an excellent choice for students interested in obtaining their degree entirely online. With assorted degree levels available, lifelong learners or new college students will find the degree level perfect for them.
	Westwood College - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. First time college students will find excellent undergraduate degree programs at Westwood College. With Westwood's online delivery program, students never have to leave their home to get a college degree.