However, convenience and flexibility are only two reasons why the popularity of online higher education has taken off in recent years. Today, there are almost four million students—more than one-fifth of all higher education students—taking at least one course online, according to the Sloan Consortium. This population has grown approximately 20 percent every year since 2002.

It Isn't so Different.
Why? For one thing, the quality of online programs is similar to that of traditional brick and mortar campuses. For instance, an online MBA curriculum often mirrors that of campus-based programs. So, you are likely to find finance, accounting, and marketing courses listed in both online and brick-and-mortar programs, as both are designed to prepare students for leadership roles in business.

Additionally, online degree programs often foster more student-faculty engagement than campus-based programs. That's because there's no sitting in the back of the classroom in an online course. In order for professors to know their students are present, engaged, and have completed their assignments, online students are responsible for participating in class discussions— online chats that are often robust because students have time to formulate their comments and are not forced to answer on the spot. Similar to brick-and-mortar programs, online schools often require their faculty to hold office hours. Additionally, many universities require faculty to answer student queries within one or two days to make sure that student needs are being met in a timely fashion.

Students also use their classes as an opportunity to network with other students with similar interests. While you may think that networking with students would be difficult given there are no limits to how many students you can have in an online class, most online classes at Kaplan University, for instance, do not exceed 25 students. The smaller class sizes mean that students can have more interaction with faculty, receive more one-on-one attention, and engage in more robust class discussions. Online students from around the country and the world also have the opportunity to engage regularly outside of the classroom by joining online student professional organizations, clubs, and honor societies that are offered at some online institutions. For instance the CEO Club, a traditional student organization, has online student chapters that allow entrepreneurial-minded students to meet, brainstorm projects, and invite guest lecturers.

Want Personal Attention? You Got It!
A common misconception about online higher education is that it is impersonal and that students are on their own. The reality is quite the contrary. Not only are online programs often rich with opportunities for students to meet and mingle, many offer a suite of support services to ensure that students have a successful and fulfi lling online educational experience. Many online programs pair students with academic advisors that guide their academic career from start to fi nish. Plus, some schools offer online student support services like 24-7 technology support, online tutoring, and career diagnostic tools that help steer students on an educational path that will best help them meet their career goals.

But don't expect that path to be an easy road. One thing that is not so different between campus and many online universities is that the degree programs are rigorous. A common misconception about online learning is that it's easy. However, many students say it is actually more challenging because they must remain engaged and self-disciplined to stay on task. There's no professor standing over students in the classroom to make sure they're doing their work. The coursework often rivals what a student would find at a traditional university, and is often more timely because faculty can pull in the latest research and developments in a field.

They often use up-to-the-minute news found on the internet in their curriculum. Online curriculum can also be standardized so that students taking any section of a particular course will receive the same course material. In a traditional education environment, students in one section of Marketing 101 may have a very different experience than students taking the same course with a different professor because different faculty members have different assignments, different syllabi, and different curricula. Online education tends to be outcome-based, which means that the professors are all teaching the same material so that what students learn and the professional skill set that they take away should be the same regardless of who taught the course.

Stay Up-to-Date with the Latest Trends.
And finally, online education is nimble. Not only are the courses themselves often rich with information about the latest industry trends, but entire degree programs can be quickly developed online to address job market trends. Many online degree programs are designed to prepare students for careers in high-demand fi elds, such as information technology and health sciences. This is critical, as more and more career fi elds are requiring some postsecondary education. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, for 15 of the 30 fastest-growing occupations, a bachelor's or higher degree is the most significant source of postsecondary education or training.

There are a plethora of benefits associated with online learning, whether you are a busy professional seeking to advance your career, a stay-at-home mom seeking to transition into the work force or a lifelong learner looking for opportunities to quench your intellectual curiosity. The biggest challenge is finding the program that best fits your needs and getting started.