weekly time commitments
Most people cite time constraints as their number one reason for choosing an online degree program. We live in a busy world, and demands on our time come from all directions: family, friends, job, and education.
 
Traditional Programs

Traditional university programs and classes can take a lot of time out of your schedule. Consider that most people are going to drive at least 30 minutes each way to class, walk to and from class, and sit in class for one to three hours at a time. For one night class for three hours of credit, you weekly time spent, without including any out of class assignments, will probably be at least 4.5 hours. If you add to that the time spent out of class (at the graduate level, it’s usually 2 hours/hour in class), you will be spending 10.5 hours per week on one class.
 
Online Programs

On the contrary, with an online degree program, you may have to spend 20-30 minutes per day (5 days/week) posting to the discussion board, and one to two hours each week writing a paper for a grand total of 4.5 hours for an entire week. Thus, if your primary concern is saving time for more important engagements, such as time spent with friends and family, an online degree program is by far the best choice for you. Although some programs may carry a higher cost, you may save money in the end by cutting down travel and in-class time, which for some includes the cost of a babysitter as well. As the saying goes, “time is money,” and an online degree program may help you save in both areas.