Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an online education cost?

Generally it will be far less expensive than earning your degree the traditional way. There are savings to be had for the school, which does not have to maintain facilities for you, and there are cost savings to be had by you in gas, travel time, clothing, etc. as well. How much your tuition will be varies depending on what school you take and the degree program you enroll in.

How long does it take to get an online degree?

That is entirely up to you and the program you choose. Some students prefer to take it slow based on other responsibilities in their life and only take one or two classes per semester, (remember, if you are receiving a financial aid loan, you must attend school at least part-time (six units), in order to keep your loan payments deferred). Other students feel the rush to get their degree over with and earned as quickly as possible and may take as many as seven or eight classes per semester.

Is an online degree the same as a degree earned through traditional methods?

Employers are showing significantly less bias against online degrees than they used to ten years ago. Most employers now view a degree earned online as the same as one earned through traditional methods.

Will I have to attend any classes in person?

It depends on the school and course of study. Many degrees can be pursued entirely from home on your own computer, but some schools maintain a level of minimal class attendance for certain degrees. If this is the case for the school and degree program you choose, you can either take these courses at the school, or possibly take them at a local community college whose transfer credits will be accepted by your university toward your graduation.

Can I use a degree obtained online to apply for an advanced degree program at another university?

Yes, you can, though there may still be some lingering bias by certain universities against online degrees as opposed to traditional ones.

Is the level of education attained in an online education the same as that earned in a traditional school?

So far there is no evidence presented, through dozens of studies, that an online degree is any less quality or educational than a traditional education. This is because instructors who offer their courses online have been trained to modify their traditional syllabus or course only slightly to allow for online learning. What an English 1A student is learning in the classroom will typically be the same thing that an English1A student online at home is learning with the same assignments due, readings, and grading criteria.

Will I need any special equipment to get my online degree?

No. Generally you will only need a computer, an Internet connection (preferably a high-speed broadband connection), and, if you choose, a phone in order to have the occasional discussion with your instructor. Any specialized software required for your courses can usually be downloaded straight from the school or accessed on their servers from your home computer.

Do I have to live in Maryland to use this site?

No. The information on this site may be geared specifically to the Marylander, but the form which will connect you to our network of online education providers can be used by anyone, regardless of where you currently live.

Are all the schools in your network located in Maryland?

No. Based on the information you enter, you may be connected with a school that is located somewhere else in the United States. The beauty of an online education though, is that distance is not a factor.