Educators and employers have come to view online learning as a legitimate means of obtaining a college degree. Most colleges and universities now offer online courses, and a growing number of undergraduate and graduate students are supplementing the classroom courses with online learning. Additionally, online learning has made higher education more accessible to people who otherwise couldn't earn a degree. OnlineDegreeZone.com features more than 11,000 undergraduate and graduate degree programs plus guidance and advice for those exploring distance learning and online classes.

There are so many online universities to choose from and thousands of online college degree programs. OnlineDegreeZone is a free, easy to use resource for people who are just beginning to explore the opportunities

Seattle, WA (PRWeb) January 26, 2007 -- OnlineDegreeZone.com is a new online degree and distance learning information resource and directory listing more than 11,000 online degree programs.

Public perception of online distance learning has changed dramatically during the past 10 years.

According to a recent report from the Sloan Consortium (Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States (2006)) institutions of higher education reported having 3.2 million students enrolled in online classes during the fall of 2005. This marked an increase of more than 800,000 students and a growth rate of 35 percent over the previous year.

"Education has never been so accessible," says OnlineDegreeZone founder Matt Lucas. "Distance learning enables people to take classes no matter where they are in the world. Older, non-traditional students are returning to the classroom - the virtual classroom - to finish degrees or to earn their Master's."

Online courses, which are defined as those in which 80 percent or more of the content is delivered over the Internet, are available at most public colleges and universities and two-year colleges. Statistics provided in Making the Grade indicate that online students make up an astonishing 17 percent of the 17 million higher education student population.

As the quality of distance learning courses has improved and enrollment skyrockets, the stigma associated with online learning has vanished. The Sloan report findings indicate that 62 percent of collegiate academic Officers believe that the quality of online instruction is equal to or superior to that of face-to-face learning. In 2003, that number was 57 percent. Employers in the U.S., many of whom require their staff to take online courses, now recognize the legitimacy of online degrees and coursework.

OnlineDegreeZone is designed to help prospective online students find the right educational program, answers commonly asked questions about online classes and distance learning, and explains how to find accredited programs while steering clear of unscrupulous diploma mills.

"There are so many online universities to choose from and thousands of online college degree programs. OnlineDegreeZone is a free, easy to use resource for people who are just beginning to explore the opportunities," says Lucas.

Financial aid is available for many of distance learning programs.

Whether you are looking to start or finish your undergraduate degree, get your masters degree, wish to take courses to help your career or help you change careers, OnlineDegreeZone.com is a simple and invaluable resource.

About Online Degree Zone:
Online Degree Zone is a privately held company based in Seattle, Washington. The website offers multiple ways of researching 11,000 accredited online degrees and distance learning programs, provides answers to commonly asked questions, and provides guidance to those who know little about online degrees. Online Degree Zone also features expert advice and articles on important issues such as accreditation, diploma mills, and setting expectations.

Contact:
Matt Lucas
206-728-8612
Website: www.OnlineDegreeeZone.com

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