Lots of people are turning to online university and college degree programs to further their education, and there are plenty of high quality accredited online schools that are available to choose from. But before you choose an online school for your own education, you should be aware of some of the challenges and benefits common to distance learning.

The benefits are many to be sure, but perhaps the one advantage that appeals to most people is that you can take your classes and study when and where you want. This is a distinct benefit to many people, especially those who are pursuing an advanced degree while still working a full time job. Trying to attend classes, fit in your study and homework time, and still get your job done at the same time can be almost maddening. But online schools allow you to take your courses at your own pace and fit them into your daily schedule wherever it makes most sense for you.

Another benefit of online degree programs is that they allow you to learn at your own particular pace. It's common knowledge that people often differ in their learning speed. That can be a frustration for many in a normal classroom as those who learn fast may quickly become bored, and those who learn more slowly may not be able to keep up. Since most classes are geared toward the average learner, there can be several people in the class who may be frustrated with the learning pace. However, distance learning solves most of those problems as it allows each student to set their own study pace instead.

Online colleges and universities often will also allow credit for work experience in some cases. This means that if you have previous work experience in the field of your studies, you may be able to actually shorten your education requirements for a degree and graduate early, perhaps in as little as 12 to 18 months. Of course, you'll have to check with each respective online school to see what their requirements are for previous work experience.

A very obvious benefit of getting an online degree is the savings in both time and money with regard to traveling back and forth from classes. Since all of your classes are taken online, you can actually do the vast majority of your study right from home. Or you may choose a local coffee shop or the library for a nice change of pace at times.

The disadvantages of online education primarily has to do with how self disciplined you are in your daily schedule. If you find that procrastination is often an issue that you have to deal with, then you may have more of a difficult time getting an online degree as there will be no one but you to keep you on track in your studies. And since you have total control over your class schedule and study time, you'll need to exercise self discipline and keep a regular study schedule without being distracted by other activities.

Obviously then, the benefits of pursuing an online degree program are many, while the disadvantages are relatively few. And for those who can take advantage of the benefits, an online education can be a relatively quick and inexpensive way to get your degree.