Preparing For Getting An Online Tech Degree
Tech degrees are extremely sought after in the job market today. But not everyone has the time to get a degree during work hours. Instead, you can enroll in an online tech degree program. There are a myriad of advantages to this type of degree: you can have a flexible schedule, generally pay less for your credits, and gain access to accredited programs throughout the world. However, there are also some things you need to do to prepare.
Get Your Existing Credits Transferred
Tech degrees generally require both mathematics and science credits. These are credits you might already have if you've either gone to college before or if you had AP (advanced placement) credits in high school. It's worth it to check, as these credits can substantially reduce the time and cost associated with your degree.
Brush Up on Your Mathematics
Most tech degrees do require that you have knowledge of basic or college algebra. If you don't, you will need to spend more time in school gaining your prerequisites. Math is something that many people tend to forget if they haven't practiced it. Brushing up on your mathematics skills before attending school may help.
Test Your Internet Speed
An online tech degree is going to require a fast and reliable internet connection. Tests will often be done through the internet and may require that you remain connected to the internet for a few hours. For many tech degrees, you may also have to download and upload large files. Testing your internet speed and ensuring that your internet is stable will be important.
Invest in Your Equipment
A tech degree doesn't require much by way of equipment -- but it is going to require a good computer. A home PC used to be ubiquitous, but very few households now have one because of tablets and smart devices. Both a home PC and a laptop PC may be necessary depending on the tech degree that you are interested in. If you're interested in computing and engineering, a home PC will be best. If you're interested in online biomedical tech classes, a laptop may be preferable.
A specific online university, like Career Institute of Technology, can give you more information about preparation. In general, you should be a self-starter who has some foundation of knowledge regarding technology. When getting an online degree, you'll have to be fairly net savvy and computer aware. But otherwise, anyone can get an online tech degree and increase their earning potential.