Yes, taking online classes to start college – or start a new career – can be stressful, but there are tremendous benefits. More than six million students begin realizing their career ambitions via online college courses every year.
College advisors will tell you that online courses are a good fit for those who want to pick up college credits while in high school, plan a career change, or start college while in a current job. Go here for a good overview of online options.
Taking online college courses can be a wise option when you have plenty of discipline and determination. Not having to deal with travel time to campus or scheduling daycare can certainly help reduce one’s anxiety level.
What is essential, though, is to make sure the online class options are of high quality. Standards to expect include:
General education courses, often called “gen eds,” are always an excellent first option because these fundamental courses usually apply to most undergraduate degrees.
Examples of “gen ed” online college courses:
Now that you’re thinking about taking advantage of online college courses, also think about the best career direction for you. That way, you can really sharpen your college focus.
One smart area to consider is the ever-expanding healthcare field. According to Health Affairs, the leading journal of health policy, the rate of job growth in the healthcare sector is projected to be three times greater than the job growth rate for all other sectors of the economy.
Becoming a doctor, nurse, or physician assistant may not be for you, so check out the many healthcare support occupations. Many of these occupations, such as Radiologic Technologist (diagnostic medical imaging) and Occupational Therapy Assistant (directing therapy activities) are achieved by earning Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees. The A.A.S. curriculum is designed so students can complete their A.A.S. degree in as little as two years.
Gen eds for these degrees may also include healthcare-focused courses such as health science terminology, advanced topics in biology, and chemistry. Plus, thanks to today’s technology options, it’s possible to take anatomy and physiology with a lab component online.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university that’s a leader in chiropractic and health sciences. Learn more about CUKC online college courses here.
Online Options Beyond “Gen Ed” Classes
CUKC has other online courses in various departments, too. Seeking general/introductory courses in a subject area is an excellent way to determine your interest in a subject area or as a major.
In our three-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Exercise Science program, for example, there’s an Introduction to Health Science class. Online classes may also be used for our Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Human Biology and our two-year A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology and A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree programs.
CUKC also offers its Anatomy and Physiology course with lab components online, which students traditionally need for pre-med, pre-chiropractic, and pre-dentistry degree programs.
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