Many students today especially working adults are enrolling in online degree programs because of the convenience and flexibility that distance learning provides. In typical online programs, classes are not scheduled at set times like traditional classes. Instead, you go through the coursework during your free time. You can schedule your studies around your work and family time. Also, you save time because you don’t have to commute to the campus.

To help you choose an online degree, we researched the top degrees with the best job prospects and salaries. We looked at the data of The Occupational Outlook Handbook by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is an important resource because it has information about job prospects for many occupations. Also, it has salary information and degree requirements for each job.

In our research, we discovered 22 online degrees with good or very good job opportunities. We ranked these degrees by job opportunities, salary, and school admissions.

Click the links below to learn more about the degrees and the jobs they can lead to.

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There’s a common belief that to succeed in the health care field you need more than an undergraduate degree. High profile positions like doctor, dentist, veterinarian, and physical therapist require doctorate degrees. It usually takes many years of college to qualify for these positions.

Fortunately, if you don’t want to spend a lot of time in school, there are health care jobs that pay a decent wage and do not require a graduate degree. Here are the top 10 paying jobs in health care that you can qualify for with a bachelor’s degree.

1. Radiation Therapist

Median Salary in 2010: $74,980 ($36.05/hour)

Radiation therapists deliver radiation therapy to cancer patients. They are specially trained to use a machine called a linear accelerator to direct radiation towards the area of the body that needs it, as prescribed by a radiation oncologist and radiation physicist. They operate the linear accelerator in a separate room to avoid radiation exposure. They can still interact with the patient during the procedure through an intercom system.

Radiation therapists also interact with patients, answering any questions or concerns they have, and are responsible for keeping accurate records of treatment sessions. They must have people skills and be able to handle stress since they interact with patients dealing with cancer. They must also have math and science skills and be detail-oriented to keep accurate treatment records. They should have the physical ability to help patients on and off the treatment table.

Some states require radiation therapists to be licensed or certified to be employed in the field, and they may be required to take continuing medical education courses or exams to maintain employment. Most radiation therapists work in radiation treatment centers or hospitals.

Job opportunities for radiation therapists are expected to grow by 27% between 2008 and 2018. As the population ages, there will be a greater demand for these workers so job prospects look favorable. The median annual salary for radiation therapists in 2010 was $74,980, or $36.05 an hour. In addition, many radiation therapists get reimbursements for continuing medical education.
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Here are a couple interesting education links from October 2011.

Interview with the chief marketing officer of the world’s largest provider of eTextbooks – CourseSmart’s Jill Ambrose talks about the company’s innovations including a social commerce tab on Facebook, giving students access to eTextbooks on the popular social networking site.

Online students vs. traditional students – Interesting infographic comparing online students and traditional students.

For-profit schools: they get IT – Traditional colleges may think they have nothing to learn from for-profits, but when it comes to advanced use of technology, look no further.

Blame game: let’s talk honestly about bad teachers – Removing the lowest performing educators would pay big dividends, but saying so invites charges of “teacher bashing.”

How Steve Jobs transformed the classroom – At Burlington High School, Steve Jobs’ legacy is living on. The school bought more than a thousand iPads for its students and teachers this year.

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Traditionally speaking, college is, by its very nature, all about education. Meeting new friends and having fun is usually a by-product, but fundamentally school is where young adults go to learn. Gaining knowledge can take many shapes and forms, but often those of a geeky persuasion are happiest when managing their own time away from the college grounds. So what happens when the lines between geek-time and learning become unmistakably blurred? What happens when the geeks take over the classroom? Find out in our article on ten bizarre college courses designed for geeks. Continued…

Here are a couple interesting education links from September 2011.

Best Colleges ranking by US News & World Report – The latest edition of the most recognized college rankings was recently released.

64 years fighting for innovation in higher education – Now 87, Murray Block talks about changes he pushed for in the education industry to make college more accessible. His latest fight is bringing respect and legitimacy to quality distance learning programs.

The digital promise must be a total learning experience – Teachers can leverage the internet and other technologies to provide a more customized learning environment geared for the individual student.

Storytelling in elearning – Stories are among the most effective tools for teaching. This article goes over tips for incorporating storytelling in an online learning environment.

Country, rock, and rap: new subjects for Nashville schools – Classes in country, rock, and rap will supplement the traditional curriculum of orchestra, choir, and band in Nashville’s public schools. Instruction in songwriting, production, and other skills such as DJing will also be added to music theory and other existing offerings.

Welcome to a new feature on our site, a monthly roundup of useful and interesting links from the web.

To improve grading quality, some professors are letting others grade their students – Western Governors University hired 300 evaluators to grade the work of their students. The evaluators have no contact with the students at all. This grading arrangement is designed to fight grade inflation.

Infographic on the growing use of digital education – Online education is growing 14 times faster than overall higher education. The three main trends driving this growth are digital content, mass distribution, and personalized learning.

Free online course by Stanford attracts 58,000 students – Stanford is offering a free online course on artificial intelligence this fall. Over 58,000 students from around the world have already signed up.

Online learning for public schools – South Carolina is seeking to improve their public schools by opening online schools. The schools are cost-effective and can help lower the dropout rate. Also, the online teachers are able to provide individualized instruction, which helps at-risk students learn more effectively.

Excellent cash back credit cards – If you’re a new student this semester, you will probably have new expenses like textbooks, laptop, and school supplies. We recommend these cash back credit cards if you are disciplined enough to pay them off fully every month. By using them, you get some money back on your purchases. In this economy, every little bit helps.

Appliance repair is a great career for people who are mechanically inclined, who enjoy disassembling and reassembling mechanics, and for those skilled at working with tools and appliances. Appliance repairmen install and repair home appliances, like refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers, ranges, microwave ovens, and window air conditioning units. Most appliance repairmen, commonly referred to as home appliance repairers or home appliance repair technicians, work on site within a client’s home or business. A number of home appliance repairers service portable small appliances, like vacuums, kitchen appliances, and microwaves, within a centralized repair shop or store rather than within a client’s home.

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Automotive mechanics or automotive service technicians source, repair, and resolve problems with cars and light trucks. Auto mechanics repair mechanical issues and work with various electronic systems, computers, and other forms of technology to fix vehicles which have broken down. As automobile technologies have grown increasingly complex, automotive mechanics must learn how all parts and systems within a vehicle work together to ensure proper function. Auto mechanics inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks which run on gasoline, electricity, or alternative fuels. Automotive mechanics use a variety of power and hand tools, manuals, and computerized machines to improve performance of cars or trucks.

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A wedding is considered one of the most important events in a person’s lifetime. Weddings are part of a booming $42 billion dollar industry within the United States, with over 2.5 million ceremonies taking place every day. The role of a bridal consultant is often key to executing every couple’s fairy tale wedding to provide long lasting memories for everyone in attendance. A bridal consultant offers and assists brides regarding major decisions regarding a couple’s wedding day. As each wedding is as unique and creative as every couple, bridal consultants arrange all of the essential aspects of a wedding. Bridal consultants assist couples in the decision making process regarding style, budget, vendor referrals, etiquette, and any other recommendations. Bridal consultants work closely with the engaged couple to ensure every aspect of a couple’s wedding day is precisely how the bride and groom want it to be. Bridal consultants act as liaisons for their clients, working closely with caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other staff. Bridal consultants also guide brides through all major wedding decisions regarding venue, theme, location, setting, attire, officiant, flowers, foods, beverages, guest lists, invitations, music, honeymoon planning, photographers, vendors, serving staff, and marriage licensing.

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Generically, engineering is a profession that either involves applying certain very specific scientific principles to the design and construction of things like engines, machines and buildings, or changing the genetic structure of cells and various materials. When it is linked to particular areas of interest, engineering takes on completely different aspects in a variety of fields ranging from chemistry to aerodynamics and nuclear physics.

Broadly speaking there are five major academic fields of interest: civil engineering, chemical and electrical engineering, as well as industrial and mechanical engineering. Then there are a host of additional specialties ranging from biomedical engineering to computer engineering.

Career options are vast and varied and offer opportunities for every possible type of job in different environments including offices, laboratories and the great outdoors.

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