California Online Education Options

You don't necessarily have to pursue a degree if you enroll in a California online education program. We'll tell you more about the options distance learning students have here.

Degree Programs

This is the most popular and traditional form of California online education. When you enroll in a degree program, you complete specific coursework in order to earn a degree in a certain field of study. An online degree program can take anywhere from 18 months to five years to complete with full-time study. An example of a degree program is a bachelor's in accounting. Distance learning students can pursue two-year, four-year, or graduate-level degrees online.

Certification Programs

Students who pursue a certification program are usually interested in earning specific skills to advance their careers in a particular career field. Certification programs are much shorter than degree programs and do not offer diplomas upon completion. Instead, students who finish a certification program will be given college credits and a certificate detailing their coursework and/or training. One example of a certification program is a human resources management certificate.

Continuing Education for Teachers

Continuing teacher education is a type of California online education that offers graduate-level courses to educators who need the classes for recertification or professional endorsements or growth. For example, the University of Phoenix offers continuing education for teachers in special education, counseling, administration, reading, and other areas.

Professional Development Classes

Professional development classes are non-credit classes that allow students to increase their knowledge of the business world and develop their management skills. Usually, non-credit professional development courses last one week. For each course a professional completes, he/she will earn 0.5 continuing education units, or CEUs. Most employers and professional licensure organizations will take CEUs as proof that professionals are maintaining their competence in the field and working on professional growth. California online education institutions tend to have the widest variety of continuing education classes in the field of business. A business professional might take a continuing education class on marketing, sales management, or accounting and finance, for example.

These are some of the options, but don't forget these different options, plus others, are offered at more than one place in multiple programs.