Types of Online Education

Although most Wisconsin online education students take classes in pursuit of a degree, non-degree seeking students are equally common. Students who choose not to pursue a degree can earn certificates or continuing education credits as an alternative. Read on to learn about the various types of online education programs available.

Wisconsin Online Degrees

The typical track for online students is to pursue a degree. In order to earn a Wisconsin online degree, students must complete a certain sequence of coursework in a particular field of study. Most degrees require the completion of prerequisite coursework before the student can begin taking classes in his/her chosen discipline. We've listed the most common degrees offered by Wisconsin online education programs below.

• Associate's degrees. These are two-year degrees that are necessary for some jobs and may be required by certain learning institutions before they will accept a student's transfer credit. Liberal arts, business, and computer technology are a few examples of the concentrations of associate's degrees.
• Bachelor's degrees. These are four-year degrees that are required for most well-paying professional jobs. Wisconsin online education students can earn their degrees in almost any field, from hospitality management to healthcare administration.
• Graduate degrees. Most Wisconsin online schools offer master's and doctoral degrees. Some schools also issue professional degrees, such as law degrees.

Online Certificate Programs

Certain positions do not require an advanced degree, but they do require the completion of some kind of certification program. Almost any certificate that you could earn from a traditional institution you can also earn from a Wisconsin online education program. Examples of popular certificates include medical billing, web design, crime scene tech, and real estate appraiser licenses. The classes required for these certificates teach students very specific skills in order to succeed in a certain field. Certificate programs tend to take much less time to complete than degree programs.

Continuing Education Online

If you have already earned your degree, your profession may require you to pursue continuing education in order to maintain your credentials. For example, educators, lawyers, nurses, and other professionals must earn a certain number of continuing education credits each year to have their licenses renewed. Conveniently, these credits can usually be obtained online through a Wisconsin online education institution. Online classes make it easier than ever for working professionals to keep up with the trends in their field without disrupting their careers. Most professional organizations will accept continuing education credits earned online as long as the topic and school are accredited and approved.