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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When online programs started, many were skeptical. How in the world could anyone obtain the knowledge needed for a degree by sitting in front of a computer (in their pajamas, no less) and reading? Doesn’t someone seeking a degree need to attend face-to-face classes at a college campus to get an adequate learning experience?

The answer to that is a resounding “no”. Online education has come so far in recent years. Courses do not consist merely of reams of papers, articles, and textbook chapters for the learner to read. They are interactive, with course discussions, collaborative group work, video clips, interactive media pieces, and social networking. These all provide for a positive learning experience and meet the needs of online students everywhere.

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Once upon a time, online education was new. Like any other innovation, there were detractors who said that it was not rigorous and that the quality of online instruction could never equal face-to-face instruction. How wrong they were! In fact, while you can sit in a face-to-face lecture, “zone out”, and miss a great deal of information, online courses are designed to be highly interactive, so that you can obtain the information in a variety of ways, and even go back and review them at your convenience. You certainly cannot do that with the traditional classroom lecture.

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Until the latter part of the 20th century, the only way to get a college degree was to pack up your things, move to campus, and study your chosen field for four years or more. Advances in technology have changed that and now you can obtain a degree from home through a variety of online degree programs at many different colleges and universities. There are so many advantages to this path that more and more students are considering this alternative rather than the traditional route.

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Our top degree pages for different areas of study have been well-received so we thought it would be helpful to come up with a ranking of top online schools.

We spent many hours of research to find out the best online institutions in the nation. To evaluate them, we looked at the following factors:

• cost
• selection of online degrees
• programmatic accreditation
• special features
• reputation
• academic awards

Also, we made sure to only choose regionally accredited institutions, since regional accreditation offers the most benefits and is the most respected form of accreditation in the workforce and the higher education community.

We included sample degree costs to help you compare tuition rates. The degree costs are estimates based on tuition prices compiled in 2010. The costs do not include any transfer credits.

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The cost of attaining an online degree depends greatly from one online college program offered and per individual educational needs. Most colleges are geared to assisting students with their educational goals and some offer financial aid or reduced rates far below advertised tuition.

One of the greatest online degree cost benefits is that an online degree program eliminates the cost of room, board, and out of state tuition expenses. Traditional colleges may cost more than online colleges in terms of fees beyond tuition. The biggest financial advantage online degrees offer over traditional “brick and mortar” colleges is there are no room and board fees and less academic material costs.

[Click here to browse our list of quality online degree programs]

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Preparation for an online business education begins long before earning a high school degree and long before starting any formal training programs. Tomorrow’s business leaders quite often possess natural organizational skills, intrinsic leadership qualities, an affinity for detail, and an innate business sense.

[Request free information about accredited online business degree programs]

High School Prep

During high school, a successful business oriented person must concentrate on doing his or her personal best in mathematics and English as well as other core high school classes. Many high schools offer business related courses in accounting, economics, speech and communications, business law, and computer classes that give aspiring business men and women a slight edge over students in terms of college acceptance. Most colleges seek potential students who have prepared in high school through taking business related courses, applying their personal best, refining leadership skills, and those who have researched possible business related careers. Continued…

An estimated four million college students are achieving educational degrees and personal career goals by participating in online educational programs. The benefits of an online education are vast. An online education offers students self directed, flexible, and a cost efficient opportunity to attain an advanced education, further career goals, or learn a new career. One of the largest advantages to earning an online degree is accessibility. Online colleges allow students “24 hour a day, 7 days a week” availability of course information, lectures, and study materials. Students can learn from any location world wide as long as the internet is accessible. Distance learning programs allow students to earn a degree from the comfort of home, a library, a coffeeshop, workplace, or anywhere there is an internet connection. Online colleges lack the on campus college experiences of distracting dormitories, keg parties, and bad cafeteria food, but allow for self motivated, cost effective, goal oriented, and busy students the chance to pursue a degree while working and raising families.

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Fortis College, a privately run academic institution based at Centerville, Ohio, is offering an online Associate of Applied Science degree program with Criminal Justice / Homeland Security specialization. This program focuses on the various areas covered by law enforcement such as criminal investigation, homeland security and terrorism, computer-based crime and multi-cultural law enforcement.

Fortis College’s Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice/Homeland Security is conducted completely online thus, students have the freedom and flexibility to schedule their courses and classes around their personal and professional commitments and lifestyles. Although courses and streamed through the internet, students still have the opportunity to interact with fellow students and their professors through live chats and online forums and groups. This interactivity ensures that there is a quick and timely exchange of information and ideas.

The curriculum of Fortis College’s Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice/Homeland Security program covers topics such as criminal law enforcement, investigation, the American court system, corrections, security, homeland security and terrorism, computer-based crime, human relations skills and criminal psychology. Although the program does not meet the requirements of a training academy it is designed to provide practical education that is relevant to careers related to criminal justice.

For more details on Fortis College’s online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice/Homeland Security program can be discussed with a Fortis College representative. Alternatively, interested students may also log on to the Fortis College website where information can be viewed online.

Fortis College is one of the many academic institutions that are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Those who aspire to fill executive roles or faculty positions at post-secondary institutions can pursue doctorate degrees such as a Doctor of Health Administration, a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services and Policy, or a PhD in Public Policy and Administration.

While some colleges offer advanced degree programs in both self-directed and course-based formats, others combine an online delivery model with faculty mentorship throughout the course of study. Some doctoral studies programs base evaluations on real-world experiences in the candidate’s professional activities. Field experiences in healthcare settings may also provide scenarios and data for students’ dissertations.

Through self-directed studies at the doctoral level, students can concentrate on almost any aspect of health administration, from international policy to patient advocacy. Students hone decision-making skills at the executive level by integrating scholarly research with their professional experiences. Courses help learners meet the challenges of cost control and efficient delivery of services to an aging population. Providing effective healthcare in adverse economic and political environments is also a focus of some programs.