Types of Online Degrees
by Alexandria Haber
The types of online degrees available are endless and it is only natural to feel overwhelmed in a world of such vast possibility. Whether you enjoy the fast-paced energy of a sales environment, the creative aspect and hands-on techniques of design, or the problem-solving and ingenuity required for engineering, there are online programs and institutions to suit your needs. Furthering your education online will not only provide you with a solid background in your subject of interest, but also give you the necessary tools to pursue your chosen career with confidence.
Business Degrees: let’s get down to business
Every avenue of life involves business. For those who feel they are “big picture” people and are more comfortable in a managerial position, there are online degrees in:
- Business Leadership
- Applied Management
- Project Management
- Risk Management
- Hotel and Hospitality Management
- Human Resources Management
If working in a team is what you prefer, you may choose from online degrees in:
- Advertising
- Marketing
- Human Relations
- Business Communications
- Business Administration
- e-Business
- International Business
There are even more specialized types of online degrees that cater to very specific careers, such as:
- Small Business Management
- Fashion Merchandising
- Accounting
- Finance
There are numerous online colleges that specialize in business degrees, such as Devry University, which offers programs in Business Information Systems, Health Services Management, Operations Management and Technical Communication. A business degree proves highly useful in virtually all business professions, e.g. financial planners, buyers, business administration personnel, general supervisors. If you are a strategic thinker, a good communicator, and are interested in consumer behavior, then an online business degree is the right choice for you.
Design Degrees: designing your future
A quick and creative mind can do wonders with a little direction and guidance. No matter what your niche is, there are numerous design programs available, such as:
- Game Art and Design
- Graphic Design
- Digital Design
- Fashion Design
- Media Arts and Animation Design
- Residential Planning Design
- Web Design
- Advertising Design
- Interactive Media Design
- Hotel and Restaurant Design
- Interior Design
From chic frocks on the runway to breath-taking homes and eye-catching billboards, creative ideas are required. There are numerous types of online degrees and institutions that can help you realize and achieve your dream in the field of design. The Art Institute Online offers such concentrated programs as Fashion and Retail Management, Culinary Management, and Residential Planning.
Computer Degrees: for the technologically inclined
Some of the most in-demand professions today are those that deal with computers. The use of computers is so prevalent that the need for skilled and knowledgeable technicians is at an all-time high. The types of online degrees available in that field are:
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Network Systems Security
- Internet Computing
- Computer Information Systems
- Wireless Communication
Careers involving computer technology are exciting, hands-on, and come with plenty of room for advancement. With a degree in a computer-related field, you may choose to pursue a career in networking, PC repairs, telecommunications, software engineering, business systems development, and Internet-related fields. The Colorado Technical University Online offers a multitude of online degree programs that specialize in Network Management, Security Management and Software Systems Engineering.
Engineering Degrees: making it happen
The term ‘to engineer’ literally means ‘to take command’, and that is exactly what you will do with your career if you pursue an online degree in the following fields of engineering:
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Network Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering,
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Architectural Drafting
- Aerospace Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
- Engineering Management
Whether you are a local or global thinker, the field of engineering holds enticing opportunities. The Kennedy-Western Online University offers numerous types of online degrees specializing in engineering that can take your career to loftier heights.
Education Degrees: learning to teach
The field of education is a broad and interesting one. If you work well in a team atmosphere, exalt in the joys of learning, and have a nurturing side to your character, then this is the right career for you. You may choose to earn your degree in:
- Early Childhood Education
- Secondary Education
- Adult Learning
- Special Education
However, the types of online degrees offered in this field are not all limited to classroom settings. You may decide to study Educational Leadership or Educational Administration. The Jones International University Online specializes in online Master’s Degrees in Adult Education and Administration, as well as Elementary and Secondary Curriculum Assessment and Instruction.
Health & Legal Degrees: valuable opportunities
Employment in the medical and legal fields can be rewarding in more ways than one. Degrees in healthcare management can be valuable for those wishing to pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, a doctor’s office, or the health insurance industry. There are various online degrees one can consider, such as the following:
- Geriatric Health
- Public Health
- Nursing
- Life-Care Planning
- Medical Transcription
- Medical Coding and Billing
- Mental Health Counseling
- Health Administration
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Pharmaceuticals
- Nutrition
- Naturopathy
- Veterinary Services
The study of law is also a profession that can be gratifying. The legal vocation can include careers in criminal justice, law enforcement, crime scene investigation, forensic technology, legal administration and much more. At Kaplan University, numerous types of online degrees pertaining to occupations in both health and law are available:
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Office Management
- Medical Transcription
- Paralegal Studies
- Personal Injury
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
Liberal Arts Degrees: freedom to choose
Whereas certain job-related abilities can become outdated, skills acquired from an online Liberal Arts Degree, such as efficient communication and critical thinking, can easily be adapted to various tasks and careers. Online degrees in Liberal Arts include:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Early Childhood Education
- Social Work
- Counseling
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Creative Writing
An online Liberal Arts degree is one that can provide you with an array of marketable and easily transferable skills. Classes in Liberal Arts can include writing, literature, psychology, sociology, history, mathematics, aesthetics and science. Athabaska University offers many types of online degrees in Humanities, Language, Women’s Studies, Political Science and Labor Studies.
About the Author:
Alexandria Haber writes both fiction and non-fiction for a variety of people and places. As a result, she has had the benefit of gaining a little bit of knowledge about a lot of different subjects. While researching this article on the hottest careers, she gained a new respect for the education industry.