Over the last five years, online learning and other forms of distance education have experienced meteoric growth that shows few signs of slowing in the foreseeable future. Science-related fields appear to be no exception, as science professionals look to online and distance education as a way to advance their careers and qualify for higher pay and more prestigious positions. Untrained individuals and professionals with education in other disciplines also enroll in online schools for science in hopes of entering the science industry. The unprecedented level of accessibility offered by distance education makes the study of science available to more people than ever before.  

Online Education Continues to Grow  

According to a 2010 study conducted by the Sloan Consortium, enrollment in online education program increased by 21 percent between 2009 and 2010, surpassing overall enrollment in higher education, which saw an increase of only 2 percent. The current economic climate, coupled with increased unemployment rates have certainly appeared to contributed to this increase, as around three quarters of the study's sampled institutions report that economic downturn has increased demand for online educational programs.   

However, one should not consider these circumstances as evidence that online education is inferior to traditional education. In fact, the Sloan Study found that over 75 percent of surveyed public institutions considered online programs good as or better than face-to-face education, as long as suitable student interaction and teacher feedback is provided. Additionally, 63 percent of all reporting institutions see distance education as an important part of their long term strategies.  

Science Distance Education Programs  

According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), 16 percent of engineering institutions offer fully-online programs, while between 24 and 33 percent of programs in other science fields, such as computer science, psychology and health sciences offer online varieties. While these figures may seem low, the National Center for Educational Statistics lists the total number of non-profit public and private universities and for profit institutions at over 4,000 in the U.S alone, not to mention Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and other English-speaking parts of the globe. When one considers the NSF's findings in the context of these figures, it becomes apparent that there are hundreds of options for individuals seeking science education online.  

Online Science Certification  

In addition to degree programs, many online schools for science offer certification programs, in effort to provide individuals in the science industry with opportunities to strengthen their professional credentials. For instance, an institution may offer online programs in medical devices regulatory affairs, clinical trials informatics, business of life sciences, agricultural science, system engineering and other areas.   

Online certification is also often available in science sub-fields. For instance, one versed in general computer science might pursue network security, Cisco, MCSE, A+, Sun, MCP or CompTIA certification. These programs are typically aimed primarily at individuals with preexisting science training or degrees, but can also be pursued by those working in non-science fields who wish to begin a career in the sciences. The NSF reports that certification is an increasingly popular method for science and engineering professionals to acquire new skills, allowing them to provide prospective employers with documentation thereof. These programs also usually have a shorter curriculum than master's degree programs and often provide a focus on interdisciplinary focus, further contributing to their attractiveness.  

As learning technology continues to advance in the coming years, it appears likely that enrollment in online and distance education science programs will do likewise. These programs' wide availability and potential for career advancement and development make them attractive investments for both science professionals and those wishing to begin a science career.  

Patrick Hessen is a Physiologist and Kinetic Applied Scientist originally from Louisiana. When he is not researching or teaching, you can find him spending time with his daughter and advocating for online universities.
  
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