1: Flexibility

Perhaps the biggest advantage of earning your business degree online is the ability to complete coursework when it is best for you. Your other commitments, whether work, family or hobbies, can make it difficult to complete an on-campus degree program. With an online degree, you can study at a time that works for you. So whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, you’ll be in charge of your own schedule.

2: Convenience

With an online degree, you can study anywhere you have access to the Internet. And in the technology hotspot that is Austin, you can do that pretty much everywhere. Whether you prefer to study at home, in a park or in a coffee shop, your online degree is only a few clicks away.

3: 24/7 Access to Course Materials

With an online degree, you aren’t tethered to the clock. Instead of having to be on campus at a specific time to hear a lecture or take a test, the information you need comes to you. You have 24/7 access to lectures, reading materials and more. When you’re ready to learn, your course is waiting.

4: Frequent Communications with Instructors

People who are concerned about earning their degree online frequently ask about interaction with their professors. It’s true that you are not front and center at a desk, but that doesn’t mean you can’t develop close relationships and get your questions answered. With an online degree, your professors are only an email away. There is also access to chat rooms and discussion, which professors will frequently participate in.

5: Collaboration With Students

Although online students may not meet in the same room for class, collaboration is still important, especially with a business degree. Students may work together on projects, split up note taking for an exam, or engage in conversations about course readings. Participation is just as much a responsibility for students in an online learning environment as it would be on campus. This collaboration allows for you to learn from your peers and gain more insight into the experience of others. Additionally, for business students, this experience can help you in a career that frequently involves working on projects with others who may not be in the same city or even country as you.

6: Dedicated Enrollment Counselors

Applying to an online degree can be confusing, especially if you have credits you can transfer. Choose a school with dedicated enrollment counselors, who can walk you through every step of the process. These counselors should be able to help you understand your financial aid options and can even help you gather your transcripts to ensure you transfer the maximum number of credits.

7: Staying Connected

For students worried about feeling disconnected from the school experience because they are not on campus, there are a number of tools to help you feel a part of the community. Technical difficulties can be resolved with a 24/7 help desk, and one-on-one tutoring should be available.

Choosing the Program

There are many advantages to earning your degree online, ranging from convenience and flexibility, to easy access to a community of peers. How, then, can you find a program that’s right for you? Concordia University Texas can help. We offer a degree program designed with your needs in mind, and offer support for every step of the journey.

A business degree is in your reach. Get started with Concordia University Texas today.

The post 7 Advantages to Earning Your Online Degree in Business appeared first on Concordia University Texas.

A misconception about earning your degree online is a drop off in quality from a traditional on-campus program. Some students pause about beginning an online degree program because of worries that it won’t measure up to a traditional experience. Between the teaching nature of distance learning and using technology, some prospective online students have their reservations.

At Concordia University Texas online, we ensure that the experience is just as strong and effective as our on-campus learning. Here are a few ways that we maintain quality between the two methods.

Unlimited Access

Because our instructors embrace the availability that the Internet provides, our online courses offer students unlimited access to course information. You don’t have to worry about not knowing your grade, or spending energy trying to find lecture notes.

We believe in the importance of access when it comes to our online courses, and because of this, our students have access to their course materials at all times. You will be able to retrieve previous lectures and readings on our online campus at any time. Most importantly, you have constant access to your grades to give you a better understanding of where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Furthermore, our 24/7 help desk will help you work through any technical problems.

Individualized Attention

In some on-campus situations, students aren’t able to work directly with other students on a regular basis. Professors may limit student contact to office hours, and if a student can’t meet during that period of time, they might be out of luck.

Our instructors are always a click away. Due to the online nature of our courses, professors understand the importance of frequent communication. Our instructors are always ready to receive questions, and if you have a more immediate need, the 24/7 help desk may be able to assist you. We also offer one-on-one attention with a tutoring expert through tutor.com. It is our goal to ensure that a student never goes without the individual attention and assistance they require to succeed.

Accreditation

One of the easiest ways to identify the quality of a degree program, online or traditional, is by accreditation. For a program to receive accreditation, it undergoes a strict review process from a third-party association. All of the online programs at Concordia University Texas have completed this review and are accredited. This means that your degree is of quality and will prepare you for a career in your chosen field.

Experienced Instructors

Much of what you gain from a course comes from the instructor’s plan and effectiveness. Students who may struggle with a given subject may not receive the attention and instruction they need to fully understand the concepts. Sometimes inefficient instruction can leave a student unprepared for future application.

For all of our online degree programs, we have highly trained professors who create a clearer road to success. Many of these instructors aren’t just experts in their fields, but are still practitioners building experience. Our instructors understand what it takes to succeed in their given field, and will pass that knowledge to students.

Course Topics

Prospective online students may want to know how subjects differ from the traditional program. We keep uniformity across traditional and online delivery to ensure that graduates of both programs are equally prepared for their chosen career. This also allows many of our on-campus professors to transfer lesson plans and course materials directly online with minimal changes.

Concordia University Texas is committed to ensuring that online degree programs maintain the same level of quality and excellence as our traditional on-campus programs. The aforementioned points are just a few reasons why, as a student of online learning, you will receive the same quality instruction.

For more information on how to begin your journey to advancing your career, check out Concordia University Texas’ online programs. 

The post How Concordia University Texas Online Instruction Mirrors On-Campus Instruction appeared first on Concordia University Texas.

Despite its affordable price compared to traditional education, online learning still has its fair share of costs. Luckily, you have plenty of options that can lessen the burden and help pay for your degree program. Here are a few options that can get you on the path to an online degree.

Federal Aid

Make sure that you check with the federal government as one of your first steps to obtaining financial aid. Many federal financial aid programs apply to accredited online institutions, making them a great place to begin looking. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible, because this will give you a good idea of your eligibility for federal assistance. The government also offers information on more resources at the federal student aid website. If you are eligible for any of these programs, speak with a financial aid staff member for more information.

Get Educated Online College Scholarship Fund

This biannual scholarship is just for students seeking an online degree. The award is based on both merit and financial aid need, and isn’t specific to one university. Students must be U.S. citizens already enrolled in an accredited online degree program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. The scholarship also requires a 500-word essay on “what an online college degree means to me.” You should attach a copy of your most recent FAFSA, or a tax return.

SR Education Group Scholarship Program

The SR Education Group is one of the leaders in providing information on online schools. In addition to their fantastic guide to online degree programs, they offer a comprehensive scholarship program for students seeking online degrees. The five scholarships are available to several types of students.

• The Community College Scholarship is available to students seeking an online degree from a local community scholarship.
• The Make a Difference Scholarship competition requires students to submit a short video or photo essay explaining how their degree would help them change the world.
• Military scholarships are awarded for those serving in the armed forces and looking to earn an education.
• Women’s scholarships are available to females using an online degree program to pursue their degrees.
• Single-parent scholarships are available to women who are raising families on their own.

The Guide to Online Schools also has plenty of information on online education—you can learn more on their website.

Texas-Based Scholarships

Although these scholarships aren’t just available to online students, they do provide great opportunities for students who wish to seek a degree at Concordia University Texas or any other Texas institutions.

• The Texas state government has a variety of state and federal grants and scholarships available to students. They include a variety of programs that have different eligibility requirements including some for particular majors or degrees.
• The TELACU Scholarship Program awards hundreds of scholarships to students from Texas. Students must be low-income, first generation, full-time college students. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required for applicants.
• Each year the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation offers 70 scholarships to students in the Houston area. The scholarship has several requirements, including SAT and ACT minimum scores.

Save Loans for Last

Students should do their best to avoid accumulating large sums of student debt while earning their degrees. But, you may have to use loaned money to pay for your degree program. If this is the case for you, remember these tips:

• Start with federal loans. The loans from the government are not only the ones with the lowest interest but they are usually the most flexible.
• Do not take out loans you cannot afford; it could be a risk to your financial well-being.
• If federal loans are not enough, use reputable organizations to finance your online education. Do your research and due-diligence. Beyond that, you need to look into whether pursuing a loan is a good idea for you at this point.

How Concordia Texas Helps You Pay for Your Online Education        

We understand that earning your degree is a financial investment. That’s why we work alongside you from the start of the enrollment process to find ways to pay for your online education.

Once you’re enrolled, our experienced instructors have developed convenient and flexible courses that allow you to balance all of your time commitments. Our instructors will help you gain the credentials and skills you need to excel in a new career.

If you’re seeking more information on how to learn with Concordia University Texas, visit our request info page.

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Going back to school can be intimidating. However, it may surprise you to hear that what most students find challenging about online learning isn’t the coursework itself; instead, it’s learning how to fit your studies into your already-full schedule.

At Concordia University Texas Online, we want to help you succeed with balancing school, work and life. All it takes is some planning and organization for you to make the most of your online education. To help, we’ve put together some strategies for staying on track to meeting your educational and career goals.

1. Get to know your instructors: This may seem like a strange suggestion for online students like you, but connecting with your instructors is the best way to ensure that your work aligns with the expectations of your instructors. Our instructors are available throughout the course and want to help you succeed.
2. Manage your time: Time management is perhaps the most important skill for online students to have. Because our online courses revolve around flexibility, you’ll need to be proactive when it comes to completing coursework and studying. Make a weekly schedule that works for both you and your family. This could mean setting aside a specific time each day to study, or bringing study materials with you to review when you have some free time.
3. Stay organized: Because you have more freedom to create your own schedule with our online degree programs, you’ll have to keep yourself on track. This could mean keeping a calendar or planner with all important due dates, or devoting a binder to each course you take. There are also a variety of useful mobile apps designed for students. Furthermore, create a study environment that works for you. Whether this is an at-home office, your favorite coffee shop or a library, find a disruption-free study space that allows you to concentrate.
4. Make time for yourself: Though it’s important to make your education a priority, you should also set aside time for yourself; go to dinner with friends or catch up on your favorite shows. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by your workload, especially if you have a full-time career while you are earning your degree online. One of the best ways to keep things in perspective is to spend time doing the things you enjoy.
5. Get a support system: Make sure your family and friends know that you are going back to school. If they know your schedule is about to change, they can step up and help out when needed. Knowing that your family and friends are encouraging you to succeed can help you stay on track.
6. Use your resources: If you are looking for more support as you complete your studies, your academic advisors and classmates are great places to start. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help if you need it. Our online programs are designed to be interactive, which means that there are always options in terms of resources.
7. Keep your goal in mind: Remember why you decided to go back to school. Whether you want to advance in your current career or begin a new one, your decision to continue your education will help you meet your personal and professional goals. Keep your goals in mind to help yourself stay motivated.

Getting Started: Our Admissions Process

Completing the online application is the first step of our admissions process. Please note that the application includes a $50 fee. Our admissions requirements include the following:

• Undergraduate students: Minimum 2.0 GPA on all college-level coursework, or a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA if you have fewer than 12 transferable college credit hours. Our admissions committee will evaluate students who do not meet the requirements, meaning that you could still be eligible for provisional admission to the accelerated degree program.
• Graduate students: For direct admission to the Master of Education program, applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. This applies to all completed undergraduate work. If you have completed 12 hours of undergraduate coursework, the minimum GPA requirement for those credits is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If your GPA does not meet these requirements, you will be asked to write an essay to be reviewed by the Graduate Education Committee.
• For MBA students: A minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from the undergraduate degree-granting institution. Applicants with graduate-level coursework must submit transcripts that show their graduate-level coursework. Applicants who already hold a master’s degree will be accepted if they earned a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Using the MBA Essay Guidelines, applicants should submit the MBA admissions essay. Lastly, submit a one- to two-page summary of your professional work experience using the MBA Professional Work Experience Guidelines.

Find out more about our many online degree programs. Make the most of your continued education with a degree from Concordia.

The post How to Succeed as a Concordia University Texas Online Student appeared first on Concordia University Texas.