Here’s an article by Mary Jackson with her view on the 8 top careers with an online information technology degree:

If you enjoy working with computers, learning new programs or testing out the latest computer software products, earning a computer science degree is necessary if you want to find a well paying job in the computer or IT field. Popular hot jobs you can apply for after you graduate include:Computer engineer, Systems analyst, Computer programmer, Database administrator, Software Support, Software engineer, Network Administrator, Interface designer.

Each of these careers is rewarding and necessary as more and more companies are in need of those who can use this technology to further their businesses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, over half of all computer programmers have at least a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field. This means that earning a computer science degree online will increase your chances of finding your dream job.

What education will you receive with an online IT degree?

Equal to a traditional degree program, an online degree will help you achieve any of the premium occupation mentioned above, plus other positions like computer security. However, unlike the students in the regular classroom, you pick the time most convenient to learn and study. Forget rushing from work to attend night classes, fighting for a parking space, or uprooting the entire family schedule. With online IT studies, you can take classes in the fields of: Hardware and software design, Software development, Troubleshooting, Networking, Data Security, Database management,Web design, Develop security plans.

Because most companies use technology systems to carry out business processes and communicate with employees, customers, vendors and others, more and more companies are creating IT departments that employ those who understand how networks function and how to keep them secure. Computer systems and manufacturing companies are also looking for talented individuals to create new software and hardware for consumers. While you earn your degree, you will be able to explore different fields to find one that suits your personality and interests.

Choosing the right online IT degree

First, where do you see yourself five years from now; what information technology degree will get you there? When making the determination, bear in mind the job market. Some computer related occupations like information security and support are on the rise, while the need for programmers is decreasing.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, the need for support personnel is expected to increase 13% in the next few years. The key is to find a career likely to provide a lucrative position right out of college. A degree in Computer Science that utilizes your unique talents is best. Alternatively, a generally degree will leave the doors open to a number of computer related careers. Whatever you decide, make sure the college or university has the appropriate accreditation credentials for a quality education.

Earning an online IT degree in any of the specialized areas mentioned above will provide the opportunity to gain the expertise, in great demand, that will translate into a fulfilling and lucrative career. You chances of finding a good job right out of college are greater. In fact, potential employers may come looking for you, and offer you a place in the company immediately after graduation.

You should consider getting an accredited online college degree. This may be your best chance to finally get that degree you have been dreaming of. If you are new to the concept though, you might want to find out more about it to determine if it is for you.

Benefits of Online Degrees

There has been a lot of talk about the benefits of an online degree. If you would like to consider getting your own degree through the internet, you should know that these specific benefits are. Here are only some of them.

-Online course do not have a lesser value as classroom course. You can therefore expect to experience the same degree of course difficulty. This also means that a legitimate and accredited online course is as likely to get you hired or promoted as a classroom course.

-Online classes let you be your own boss with your time. You therefore don’t have to make extensive changes in your routine or in your important schedules. You can thus pursue your studies even if you are a stay at home parent taking care of the kids or if you are working. Most online classes simply require you to download lessons and tasks.

-You can be anywhere and still be able to study. Since most of the world has internet connection of some sort, you can still complete your course requirements. You don’t need to rush to a classroom to learn.

-Online studies give you the greatest ease and comfort. You can do everything in any place, position and appearance that is most comfortable to you. You can go to class even if you weren’t properly dressed.

Program Accreditation

You can’t just settle for any accredited online college degree. You shouldn’t forget that there are differences in school and program quality. A degree from a bad school can easily sabotage your learning and career goals.

Accreditation is one thing that you should look for. Don’t enroll if a school does not have an accredited status. Accreditation is the one sign that will tell you that your school has a good program that you can actually use when you work or pursue your career goals. Companies you will be applying in are also likely to be interested in applicants that have finished accredited programs.

Don’t just believe in claims of accreditation though. There are many online schools that do not have real accreditation. They can ask a fake accrediting body to give them accreditation just to attract enrollees.

Online Learning

Schools online aren’t for every student. Just as there are different kinds of schools, there are also different kinds of students. Those who expect to succeed in online programs are those who are highly independent and self-motivated. You basically hold the key to the completion of your online course.

Online students also need to know how to work with technology. Computers and internet connections are your only way to accomplish your learning tasks.

If you think an accredited online college degree is for you, then you should make a go for it now. All you have to do is to make sure you get into the right accredited program.

Learning from distance or distance learning is a common phenomenon nowadays after the introduction of computer and internet. Now anyone can learn things without attending classes or coaching programs, but just by clicking the mouse buttons.

For those who have been living a busy life, having no time to undergo any class or training course to improve their skill levels and therefore tired seeing others overtaking them in every aspect of life, they can take the help of World Wide Web and change the course of their lives by undergoing some distance learning programs.

In the past when distance learning wasn’t possible people would rely on mails, telephones or face to face communications to deliver study materials, they needed to stay present in the class personally to take note of the lectures. But with the improvement of science and technology, distance learning has made life easier. Now you can get all the teaching materials sitting from the comfort of your home.

Because of the increasing demand of the distance learning programs, there have been many fraud organizations as well. They are just taking the chance on those people who cant afford much to take a course in a well known university or other organizations, or lack enough time to find the best institute. These unauthentic institutes actually do not deliver good enough study materials to meet the standard.

One big question about distance learning is that, there’s no easy way to invigilate when it’s a distance learning program. Many universities offer these courses and many students take the courses online, and different universities had adopted different measures to meet this demand.

In distance learning the student can follow the guideline recorded in a tape, or dvd or cds to go through the classes. Sometimes there are video tutorials. Students can go through these records even sitting in the comfort of their own home. There is no need for the physical presence of a teacher in distance learning.

Choosing the right authorized entity is a must for distance learners. Because the education board of a country neither may nor recognize all the institutes offering the learning courses. So the make sure that the degree you are acquiring carries some value, you need to undergo the course in a authorized and recognized institution.

As the demand for the online Bachelor degree rises, so do the number of fake colleges and universities. Some actually offer diplomas for sale to potential customers through bulk emails. However, many take advantage of innocent and unsuspecting students by offering lower than normal tuition fees, credit for life experiences, no tests, and an easy road to that coveted diploma. If it sounds too good to be true, it generally is the case.

So, how do prospective students determine whether an online college is accredited or only offering bogus online Bachelor degrees? Especially for International students, it can be very difficult to determine a school’s validity. In most cases it is impossible for distance learners to visit the campus, so the website is the only point of contact before making the choice and enrolling, which makes it hard to determine credibility.

The first thing to do is to verify the type of accreditation the college claims to have. Only 6 government agencies have been given the authority by the U.S. Department of Education, to award accreditation to colleges and universities offering online Bachelor degrees. Therefore, if a site brags about worldwide or nationwide accreditation, beware. Unless they specifically name the agency, chances are they are not a legitimate institution of higher education.

Six accreditation agencies have been given the authority to award college accreditation. The agencies are divided by geographic location, so it is possible to contact the appropriate office to determine whether a college or university has legitimate standing and been registered in that district. The agencies are all appointed by the National Board of Education and include: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA), Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA), Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU).

Another tell-tale sign of bogus online bachelor degrees offered is when the university advertises itself through mass-mailing email featuring university degrees for sale. Many bogus distance learning institutions prey on people who are desperate for a degree, but don’t have the time and money to go for proper education. That is why these colleges boast of degrees without any examinations, classes, studying or even waiting. There are even websites that offer online bachelor degrees for just a few hundred dollars which can be ordered and received within 7 days. Furthermore, some of them also have dubious accrediting links, stating accreditation from agencies which are not any one of the six listed above. Additionally, they offer fixed prices for their Master’s, Bachelor’s, and even Doctorate Degrees. Their justification for awarding degrees will be for giving credit to life experiences such as any type of work experience, any educational background, any workshops or community services attended as well as travel experience, hobbies and even on the number of books that a person has read!

In short, with the plethora of bogus degrees already causing employers to question online education, make sure your online Bachelor degree is earned from a college or university accredited by one of the six agencies endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Busy adults no longer have to put their goal of earning a college degree on hold because of their inability to attend day or evening classes on a college campus. No matter what their schedule is, an online degree program can be tailored to enable them to earn a degree within a reasonable timeframe.

That is because, in an online degree program, students can complete class work when they have time, without worrying about inflexible class schedules and deadlines.

Another major benefit of taking classes online is that the time, trouble, and expenses of commuting are eliminated.

And, they love the fact that they don’t have to worry about being closed out of classes that are already filled or the scheduling conflicts often experienced by traditional students.

By almost always being able to enroll in the classes they need, online degree students can often accelerate the rate at which they are able to earn a degree and sooner begin enjoying the benefits it brings.

Discomfort with technology used to prevent some adults from earning online degrees, but those days are virtually gone. Because almost all jobs now require at least as much computer skill as are needed to take classes online, most adults now feel far more comfortable sitting at a computer than they do in a classroom.

Some students and educators are concerned about losing the human interaction that takes place in a traditional classroom, but it is a mistake to think that no such interaction is possible in online courses. In fact, online classes frequently include webinars and discussion boards that allow for significant interaction among students, and between professors and students.

No responsible educator would suggest that students should not automatically rule out traditional, on-campus degree programs. In fact, for some, it is the best option. But, when most working adults weigh their educational choices, they will conclude that online education offers them the best chance to meet their educational goals without neglecting their professional and/or family responsibilities.

Discovering the best online MBA program for you will always be a personal decision, because it’s essential that you match your career aims and objectives with the course specialization and expertise of the college or school.

Here’s a useful 6-point checklist to help you come up with a shortlist of MBA schools that are best matched to  your personal skill set and ambitions.

1. Find an institution that’s accredited.

Choosing an accredited MBA college helps to ensure the quality of the course that you propose to follow. It will also serve as a testimonial of the value of your training for employers who may be considering you for a future position. Don’t run the risk of choosing an inferior school or a course that will not equip you for your future plans.

2.Choose a school that’s a good fit for your situation and needs.

It’s a little known fact that more than 71% of MBA students are also working full-time. This means that you are likely to be under quite a lot of pressure during your course in order to satisfy the needs of your job as well as your MBA work – and if you have a family, you will need to have time and energy for them as well.  That’s why it’s so important that the school suits your situation.

3. Class Sizes

Make sure that you find out the ratio of teachers to students on the courses you consider. There’s an advantage to being in a group situation when you’re learning, as you benefit from interaction with other students as well as with a professor. But it’s also important that the ratio be small enough that there be an opportunity for you to participate actively – and, when it’s necessary, give you the chance for some one-to-one work with the professor if you have a special need or problem and help you meet your goals.

4.Well-Known Teachers

It’s a really valuable experience to have the chance to be taught by a teacher who is a leader in his or her field. Not only does it make it more likely that the teaching itself will be top-notch – it can also enthuse students to strive to do their best. A teacher with inspirational qualities can help students to appreciate their subject more fully and find new depths in their studies.

It’s also important to look at the methods of teaching used. Some program use case-based learning, others don’t – and not all schools offer the latest online technology. These are important considerations if you will be studying for much of your MBA online.

5. The Benefits Of An Alumni Program

Don’t discount the value of an alumni program to help you find extra resources to advance your career. Mentoring, networking and online communities  are just some of the ways in which you can form helpful relationships with other students, past as well as present, to support your MBA course.

6. Career Development Service

A large proportion of MBA graduates will be looking for a new job soon after graduating. That’s when the support services of a good school can come into their own. If you find yourself looking for new opportunities or unexpectedly out of work, the counseling and advice available may help you revamp your resume, hone your interview technique and generally keep your job hunting skills sharp.

Another useful feature of some of the  better online MBA programs is the opportunity to attend free courses and lectures to keep your knowledge current and up-to-date.

Many prospective MBA students are motivated by the idea of increasing their salary – either in their current field or by progressing to a new area. So it’s all the more important to take all the aspects of online MBA schools into careful consideration before making your choice.

Individuals who are not able to attend classroom or campus learning find distance learning a very reasonable option. It is also a very good choice for people who like to work independently. There are some students who stay near the campus but choose to go for distance learning.

However, distance learning is not for everyone. There are those who are just not cut out for it, and they are better off in a traditional classroom. How, though, do you know if distance learning is for you? The only way to really know is to consider some of the issues that accompany online distance learning.

One of the major factors of distance learning is time as you will need the same if not more time compared to conventional classroom learning. It becomes a problem for people learning online to give enough time to the online class. There is not much of a responsibility and it is possible that you don’t get the desired grade in a distance program. Although this may not trouble people who are disciplined and can work with responsibility.

The other common problem with distance learning is for those who need interaction and classroom discussion to function at their best academic levels. While online courses do vary in the amount and type of interaction one can have with classmates, it is generally not as interactive as a classroom. If you are okay working independently and with limited connection to the other students, then you are probably okay with distance learning.

Thus we see that though distance learning may not suit everyone we can look at the different factors and decide for ourselves. We must look at our self-discipline our independent working capacity and our need for interaction and then decide whether it is for us or not.

Accreditation – this is perhaps the most important of the rules. Accreditation confirms that the college meets certain educational standards that are set by the accrediting education agencies. If you earn credits from an accredited online distance education college, chances are you can transfer them to another accredited institution of your choice. Your chances for acquiring a new job or getting a promotion are greatly enhanced if your degree is accredited.

Be aware of degree mills – there are many questionable accrediting agencies out on the internet that are outright fraud and are willing to give fake “accreditation” to any institution willing to pay a certain fee. Some of the degree mills are even owned by these same fake accrediting agencies. Make sure you do your homework and thoroughly investigate the accreditation that the college of your choice claims to have. While many online colleges are legitimately accredited, be aware that there are many that are not. Check out your prospective college to see if the accrediting body is approved by the United States Department of Education or CHEA.

Does the college and degree program you wish to pursue fit with your long-term goals and career? if you are thinking let’s say, enrolling in an online associate degree program and later hope to earn a bachelors degree (online or campus), find out how likely it is that your associate degree coursework will transfer by looking for a list of colleges which have accept transfer credits.

Just like in a traditional classroom, class size is important. You want to be in a class where your voice can be heard. So check the class size of the college you’re considering.

Find out if the faculty hold any credentials and if they are qualified to teach the program you want to enroll in. If you can dig further to find out what degrees they hold and if they are experienced in teaching online students, this will save you the distress of finding out later that your instructor is a fellow un-qualified student with no education skills.

Find out if it easy to contact your instructor or administration should you have questions or need help. The level of support offered to students varies considerably from college to college. Choose one in line with your needs and expectations.

Most colleges have their online classes rolling out all the time. This is a great thing and makes learning flexible. As such you should not feel pressured by the admission office or anyone else to start your program right away. You should start only when you feel your mind is set to it. This will ensure you stay motivated and put the effort you need to succeed with your classes.

Check out if your program will be offered entirely online or if it will require residency at some point in the course. Some online courses have site projects and require residency so let this not come as a surprise to you.

Many online colleges have some form of financial aid or tuition assistance, loans, grants, scholarships available to their online students. You will be surprised at what you can qualify for. Many online schools offer tuition payment plans and employee reimbursement programs. Make sure you ask what tuition programs are available to you.

Don’t settle for less than quality programs and education when selecting your online distance education program. Unlike there before, when online degree options were severely limited, it is now possible for those willing to spend some time gathering information to find almost exactly the degree program that meets their needs.

Recent survey results by the Graduate Management Admission Council® have predicted an increase in recruitment of those with MBAs or similar graduate degrees. This growth is not confined only to hiring in the business sector: employers in other fields are paying attention to the strategic management skills and team leadership qualities that MBA graduates develop.

Convenience of an Online MBA

An online MBA is a convenient option for a busy professional who is already established in a career. The flexibility and opportunity to customize a learning program is an incentive for a student who needs to fit study time around a busy work schedule.

Such experienced professionals also appreciate the fact that it is sometime possible to complete an online graduate degree relatively quickly, depending on how frequently the student can follow classes and the amount of time available for study.

Teaching Styles

The style of delivery of online programs varies between institutions. The so-called ‘asynchronous’ style of learning allows students to log on at the convenience with in a set period and complete assignments in their own time. Conversely, ’synchronous’ course components are taught in real time in a virtual classroom environment to a set schedule.

Many colleges offer the opportunity to combine both methods in a blended format that suits both the preferences of students as well as the demands of an academically rigorous program.

The GMAC® research also indicated a widening gap between average base salaries proposed for those with higher business degrees, compared to those offered to new employees without comparable qualifications. Here’s where you can read more about the Graduate Management Admission Council®.

In a world in which technology advances rapidly and the frontiers of knowledge are constantly being pushed back, it’s always important to keep professional knowledge and skills up to date. An online MBA from an accredited institution can help to enhance employment prospects in a competitive world.

Experienced professionals understand that learning is an activity that never stops. Advances in technology and new working practices demand the ability to stay abreast of innovations in any career.

That’s why universities — online and on campus — are working to meet the demand for postgraduate professional training programs that combine theory with practical application in the work place.

If you are considering an online master’s degree program as a way to advance your career potential, there are important factors to consider as part of your planning strategy:

1. Are you the kind of student who will get the most out of online education?
Supporters of online degrees cite the convenience and flexible nature of study schedules as a big advantage. This is useful as long as you have the necessary skills of independence and dedication to stay on track when working on your own.

2. Will a master’s get you the advantages you seek?
Any degree calls for a large commitment of time, energy and money. That’s why it’s so important to plan your strategy and have clear goals before you sign up for a course. A lot depends on your career field. Perhaps you already know that going to grad school will benefit your prospects. But it’s not automatically the case that a higher degree means a bigger salary or better chances of promotion.

3. Have you researched colleges in depth?
It’s essential to do your ‘due diligence’ before you enroll. Check the accreditation status of the course and school, and find out the status of the accrediting agency as well. Visit the website of US Department of Education for more information on how to do these background checks.

You’ll also want to know about teaching schedules and styles — for example:

• are courses taught to a set schedule?
• are classes ‘asynchronous’ — so you can devise your own study schedule around your other commitments?
• are there residential course requirements?
• what are typical class sizes?
• is there a mentoring program or other kind of student support system?

If you are already working a job, your employer may be able to offer financial support to enable you to achieve your aspirations for an online master’s degree. You may also be eligible for assistance from grants or scholarship schemes.