In addition to the over 3 million college students who are taking at least some of their classes online, there are online high schools, online career training schools and courses and continuing education for adults online.

A 2005 survey by the National Center for Education Statistics found that 44% of American adults, almost 93 million people, were pursuing some type of continuing education.

They also note reported that 32% of these adults had participated in some form of distance or online education. This means that almost 30 million adults were involved in learning or taking a class online.
Why do people take online continuing education classes?

The NCES survey found that 27% of continuing education students were taking work-related courses or training programs, While 21% were taking courses to pursue personal interests, and 4% were part-time students working on a university degree.

Dr Kenneth Hartman, director of academic affairs for Drexel University Online says “Online learning is the fastest growing area in higher education today. As more and more adults look to higher education to expand their knowledge base for promotional or new career opportunities, they will look to online learning as a convenient and viable way to continue their education.”

It is now estimated that the average person will change careers 3-5 times during their lifetime. Online classes and training can allow you to prepare for a career change without quitting your job and going back to school. You can take university or college classes online that will count towards a degree, or career training classes, which generally are not transferable to universities.
What kind of personal interest classes are available online?

The second most common reason people take continuing education classes is for personal satisfaction or personal interest. In this area, the choices are tremendous.
Have you always been fascinated by ancient Egypt? Would you like to learn about the history of Egypt, study hieroglyphics and archeological discoveries? For only $149, you can take an interactive online course in Egyptology.

Or have you dreamed of tracing your family tree and exploring your family history, if you only knew where to start? You can take a 4-week online genealogy class that explains records searches, tips, chats and more for less than $30.

Or maybe you’ve always wished you could speak Italian or Spanish. You can take an online class, complete with instant translation features and become proficient in a short time. Courses are available in 7 languages for under $30.

Are there practical or hobby classes available online?

Oh, yes. There are hundreds of choices in the continuing education or noncredit field, and some of them are very practical and helpful. For example, would you like to learn how to prepare your own taxes instead of paying someone to do it? You can take an online course in Tax Preparation for around $50 that will teach you about forms, filing status, income, credits, pensions and more.

If you are over 50 and want to save some money or just refresh your driving skills, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers an online Driver Safety class for around $20. This could get you a discount on your auto insurance and make you feel more comfortable on the road.

Now that spring is on the way, are you thinking of gardens? Perhaps you live in an apartment or don’t have much of a yard. You can still have a beautiful garden in containers. The Horticulture Gardening Institute can teach you which plants to choose and how to care for them in their online class “Art and Science of Container Gardening” for around $70.

A more expensive option is an online class in digital photography. While the beginning class is around $300, it is an 8-week class and includes critiques and instruction from professional photographers. If you would like to learn photography on this level, this could be a great opportunity.

Or, if you are mainly concerned with learning how to use the digital camera you got as a gift, you may want to check out “The Art of Digital Photography” at UniversalClass. This class covers areas such as using the camera, scanning images, printing pictures and choosing cameras, along with basic photography for around $99.

If we haven’t mentioned an online class that interests you, check out universal class.com, as they have more than 500 classes available and most of them are reasonably priced. You can choose from areas such as cooking, pet care, fitness, web development and many more. (www.universalclass.com)

So, no matter what your educational level or interests, there will be an online class that will be right for you. Whether you use it to get ahead at work, obtain a college degree or simply make your life better through learning something new, online classes truly offer something for everyone.

Online Classes

When you pursue your online college nursing degree, you would be attending classes online. Instructors post their lectures online. You can access the lecture 24×7. You can post your queries on the message board. The instructor is available online during set hours. There are other means of communicating with the instructor- email, by phone, and teleconferencing. You complete and submit your assignments online.

An online nursing degree program will be of great help if you are thinking about becoming a RN. In order to earn an RN license you need to clear the NCLEX examination. Only those who have a Diploma, Associate Degree in Nursing, or a Bachelor Degree in Nursing are qualified to appear for the NCLEX examination. The license is granted by the respective state’s Board of Nursing. It is easier for a working LPN to become a RN through an online nursing degree program. After you become a licensed RN, you need to continuously upgrade your education to keep your license current. Online nursing continuing education programs are designed for this purpose only.

There are number of financial aid options available to those aspiring to become a RN. There is a financial aid center at most online nursing colleges. You can contact them to find out what kind of financial aid is available. Federal aid is also available.

In order to find out about financial aid you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After you fill it out you will get a Student Aid Report stating what you are eligible for. There are numerous scholarships available that students can qualify for. There are many public and private financial institutions that provide student loans. Study all your options and decide which one will suit you.

The demand for nurses is only going to increase in the future. More and more nurses are going to be involved in direct patient care. This means that nurses need to specialize in a field of their choice. Online nursing degree program facilitates this.