Given the extended study and work required to earn a doctoral degree, only 1% of Americans attain this prestigious credential. Online PhD degree programs are becoming a popular option for business professionals who wish to earn a doctorate while maintaining a full-time job. Achieving an advanced degree can have a tremendous impact on your career and income.

Distance learning offers a wealth of advantages - it provides a convenient way to obtain a quality education while maintaining a full-time job, it positions you for better professional opportunities and enables you to complete your studies anytime and anywhere. However, since you won't be meeting for scheduled classes on campus each day or week, you need to have good study habits to to succeed.

With university cost soaring, many students choose to earn an associates degree at a community college and then transfer to a four-year school to earn a bachelor's degree. This is why it is very important to research that your credits will be accepted at the university you plan to attend. Not all credits are transferable so doing some research up front can prevent delays later on.

Online learning is one of the most convenient ways to earn university credentials and advance your career. However, some online college courses are better candidates for Internet-based study than others. There are a number of factors to take into consideration when pursuing online education.