7 Classes To Take Online

Because of their accessibility and affordability, online classes have become popular with students of all types. If you are considering online classes, you may want to consider these seven subjects.

Art or Music Education

Most colleges have some kind of art or music elective requirement. Courses in art or music appreciation and history are often made available online. Enrolling in one of these courses online can be a good way to fulfill this requirement without having to worry about schedule conflicts with courses in your major. Non-degree seeking students who have an interest in art or music may also find these courses useful since they can be taken by people who work during the day or don't live near a college campus.

Computer Programming Classes

Computer programming classes are often well-suited to online instruction since most of the work is being done on a computer anyway. Modern online education platforms can accommodate remote access to computer labs so that even languages which can't easily be compiled on home computers can be taught online. Because lectures largely consist of coding examples, most of the instructional material can easily be put online. These classes are obviously useful to students majoring in computer science, but can also be useful to career changers, hobbyists or computer professionals looking to keep their skills up to date.

Marketing

Online marketing has become a vital skill for most businesses, making marketing courses valuable both for people who hope to launch a career in marketing and for people who hope to start their own businesses. Online courses exist for social media marketing, search engine optimization, e-mail marketing, Google Analytics and traditional marketing. Even if you're not seeking a career in marketing, marketing skills can be a valuable asset. A key component in advancing in any career is learning how to market yourself.

Communication

Communication skills are valuable in pretty much any line of work. Online courses are available that will help you learn to write an essay, marketing copy, a research paper, a resume, business correspondence or just about anything else that needs to be communicated in writing. Thanks to advances in technology that allow students to communicate with instructors through video submissions, even subjects such as public speaking, which require some amount of interactive feedback with your instructor and classmates, can be taught online. With many job interviews being conducted by webcam, this sort of instruction can be good practice for learning to use that medium effectively.

History

History classes are a common general education requirement for college students. Because reading is such a large component of instruction in this subject, it is well suited to be taught online. Taking an online history course may also open up areas of study that may not be offered in a traditional classroom setting. If you have a personal interest in history, but don't need college credit, online courses may also be a good option.

Professional Development

Many professions require employees to take continuing education courses to obtain or maintain licenses or to keep their skills up to date. Online courses can provide an economical option that can be scheduled around work and family obligations. Real estate classes are available for people who are current or aspiring licensed realtors. Online coursework is also available for computer programmers, web developers, accountants, paralegals, insurance professionals and others.

Time Management

Time management is another skill that can benefit just about anyone. Online courses in this skill can teach students how to organize their day, break down projects into manageable tasks, set goals, and utilize technology. A time management class may be a good place for new students or professionals looking to advance their career to start because the skills learned in this class will likely help them with jobs and future studies.

Whatever your educational goals are, there is probably an online course out there that can help you achieve them. Consider one of these seven options or discover your own.