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.

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.

For many people, the barriers to fulfilling higher education options include the need to work a regular job, or difficulty traveling to a campus.

But if you enroll in a school that specializes in distant learning programs, it’s usually possible to earn the same degree as if you attended that college as a full or part time student in the traditional way.

Typical Distance Learning Techniques

Distant education courses allow you to follow lectures and complete course work and homework on the web or at your computer.

It’s important to choose the environment and style of learning that’s right for you. Here are some possible options:

• Attending a virtual classroom, set up like a message board, blog or forum, where you can interact with your instructor and fellow students when the time is right for you.
• Using the aid of technology to observe a traditional class, but at a distance — for example by means of a web camera. These classes may take place live or be recorded for you to replay when you have time to work on your course.
• Working from prepared materials on DVD or CD ROM. This is another way of working at your own speed, and may perhaps be combined with attendance on-campus to take tests or discuss your course work with a supervisor.

Email has revolutionized day to day communication, and is likely to play a major part in your contact with your teachers and other students. You can send work in a file attached to a message, and there may be the opportunity to use instant messaging to discuss topics or ask questions.

These are just some of the ways that schools set up their college courses online. From live communication to self study, there are plenty of opportunities for you to find the kind of learning situation that suits with your specific needs.