For many young adults, the military seems like the obvious choice leaving high school. The benefits of an early military career can be extensive and sprawling but they’re still best utilized in conjunction with an advanced degree. The need for an education backing your experience and skills is as important as ever and for that reason, many soldiers are opting to return to school utilizing online college programs to further their education.
Financial assistance is available to veterans returning from active duty through a multitude of scholarship programs and the G.I. Bill, which can cover up to the entire cost of tuition for a soldier who served for more than 90 days since September 11, 2001.
The true benefit however of these new online degree programs is the accessibility they offer to those currently serving in the armed forces. Soldier’s no longer have to wait till after they graduate college to begin classes. For many soldiers oversees, college is a great way to spend their free-time and remain busy. Online colleges and distance learning programs make this all possible and allow soldiers to earn advanced degrees while still on active-duty.
Chief Warrant Officer John Dorman, who is learning calculus and geometry, told the newspaper he is considering becoming a mathematics professor when his service is through. Focusing on advancing his math skills helps Dorman “get away from it all” and provides him with a “good distraction,” he told the media outlet.
CollegeForSoliders.com, a website that provides distance education advice and program rankings for actively serving members of the military, named Thomas Edison State College, Excelsior College and Charter Oak State College the best online colleges for deployed soldiers. The organization selected these schools based on their flexibility, course credit options and regional accreditation.
Soldiers who capitalize on their free time to enhance their educational qualifications while they are serving may ease their transition into a civilian lifestyle and remain competitive in the job and higher education sectors.
For many soldiers currently in the service the daily stress of their duty can be extreme. These kinds of distance learning programs are actually more of a hobby than a chore. Many soldiers report that staying busy with college courses helps keep them grounded and focused on progressing their life back home even while serving in the armed forces. In this way, the advanced coursework of a college degree is a way to keep perspective and help soldiers prioritize their lives back home for when they leave active-duty.
Online colleges have recently begun to go above and beyond in their efforts to assist soldiers interested in distance learning programs. Assisting these types of students in seeking civilian employment and tailoring their education programs to be suited to a civilian lifestyle is just the beginning of an encompassing distance learning program.
Tony Frank, the university’s president, said the partnership aims to “help provide a veteran with a second career after their military service and contribute to Colorado’s new energy economy.” Many people want to consider online education.Members of the military who are currently serving may consider enrolling in college courses online in order to get their online diploma and stay connected to the civilian world and keep their post-service career prospects intact.