Navigating Education Deserts: Tips for Earning Your College Degree from Afar

This article was originally published on Study.com and can be viewed here.

By Khristian Mecom and Jean Raoet

The dream of earning a college degree can feel out of reach when the nearest campus is far away. While distance can be a tough barrier, living in a college desert doesn't mean your educational goals are beyond reach.

If you've done the math and the distance feels overwhelming, you're not alone.

According to a recent Study.com survey, 53% of respondents aged 45 and under told us that distance significantly impacts their college enrollment decisions.

Many students facing this challenge live in what are known as education deserts, areas with limited or no access to nearby colleges. Research tells us how widespread this issue has become:

• Around 3.8 million people in the US reside in a commuting zone with no college options
• A further 11.2 million reside in a commuting zone with a single college option

With data showing the value of a college degree in terms of increased salary potential and lower employment rates, mapping your way through an education desert is a worthwhile and rewarding endeavor. This guide will help you navigate the challenges you may encounter.

Closer Than You Think: Your Pathway to a College Degree

Two-thirds of college students attend college within just 25 miles of their home. If you're not part of that majority, that does not mean a college degree is out of reach. The how and where you attend college is slightly more complicated — but we have some solid advice for how to complete a degree without having to step foot on a college campus every day (or at all).

No Campus Nearby? Online Degree Programs Bring College to You

Online degree programs have redefined the college campus, making it possible to earn a degree anywhere and everywhere possible. If you're one of the millions of people with no college campus nearby, then online education shrinks the geographic barriers you face.

Not only do online programs offer convenience, but students tend to be satisfied with their education as well. A recent survey found that 96% of online students would recommend online college to others, and 81% believe their education is just as good as or better than on-campus learning.

With online college comes the ability to earn a degree remotely and in a way that works best for your schedule, goals, and other life responsibilities.

1. You can enroll full- or part-time in an online degree program.
2. You can take one or two online classes at a time and transfer your credits toward a degree later.

Online courses also take different forms:

• Synchronous Online Courses: These are live online classes that you'll be required to attend, which may include lectures and class discussions. Readings and assignments are then done on your own time.
• Asynchronous Online Courses: With this type of course, you will complete assignments and watch lectures on your own schedule with deadlines for completion set by your instructor.

Online courses from Study.com, for example, make use of an asynchronous microlearning format. You can watch short video lessons where and when you want, take online quizzes when you're ready, and earn college credit when you pass the course.

Want to Reduce Your Commute? Hybrid Programs Require Less On-Campus Time

If you live within commuting distance of a college but want to reduce travel time, a hybrid program may be a great alternative. That means you won't need to commute to a college campus as frequently as you would if you attended a traditional in-person program.

Hybrid degree programs vary in terms of online and in-person requirements but can look like the following:

• Commute to campus every Saturday for a 2-to-3-hour class session and then complete all other assignments and readings online
• Commute to campus once or twice a month for a class session and complete all coursework online
• Commute to campus to attend a set number of in-person courses and complete other courses online

No matter what your hybrid schedule is, this mix of online and in-person learning can help ease the burden of earning a degree, giving you a flexible way to attend classes.

Crossing The College Major Desert

The natural consequence of an education desert is that you might be limited in the choice of a college major. If you have only one community college nearby (or faraway) and you want to earn a degree in a field of study that's not offered, then what?

Online degree programs, of course, can be completed anywhere, which means you have a wider choice of majors to choose from and can find a program that meets your career goals. However, you might think that your degree options are limited to majors that don't require any practical or clinical experiences.

Many online or hybrid programs will help you complete practical in-person requirements in your own community or will only require you to come to campus at specific times for training. That opens the door to pursuing a major in areas like:

• Nursing
• Social work
• Education and teaching
• Veterinary technology

Thriving in an Education Desert: Tips for College Success

Every student undoubtedly faces challenges along the way to getting to earn their degree, but as an online student, you might encounter unique obstacles. But don't worry, you are not alone.

This next section will help you overcome those challenges and offer smart strategies for how and where to access resources that will help you cross the finish line with a degree in hand.

How to Access Academic and Support Resources

The thing about deserts, even education deserts, is that they can make you feel like you're the only one around for miles. Your college or university, however, wants you to succeed, which is why they offer online students a wealth of academic and support resources, including:

• Career services
• Disability services
• Online tutoring
• Online access to libraries
• Technical help
• Mental health services
• Academic advising

How do online support services work?

• You have an online one-on-one with your academic advisor to choose what courses to take next and make sure you are on track for graduation.
• You have a Zoom session with an online writing tutor who helps you develop a thesis for your research paper.
• You meet online with a career advisor who helps you practice for a job interview.

Don't underestimate the help you can get from these free resources. Research has shown that students who utilize support services see improvements in their GPA and are more likely to succeed, persist, and return to register for the next semester.

How to Transfer Online College Credits

If you live in an education desert, taking online courses can help you earn college credit without needing to relocate or committing to a school or major. But how do these credits fit into your degree path? Can you transfer them to a traditional college or university?

The answer: Yes, your online credits can be transferred — but you need to plan to make sure they count.

The transfer process can feel a little intimidating, but by following these steps, you can ensure your credits are accepted toward your degree:

Step One: Check if courses are transferrable

Before you enroll online, research whether the course is transferrable.

There are two ways to find transferrable courses:

• Enroll at an accredited institution: Accreditation ensures that the credits you earn will be recognized by other colleges. For colleges and universities, you will also want to check for regional and national accreditation.
• Take ACE or NCCRS-recommended courses: For example, courses from Study.com are recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) and National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS), which are nationally recognized organizations that evaluate college courses.

Step Two: Transfer Policy Check

Each institution has its own transfer credit policies that include what types and how many credits can be transferred. Reach out to an admissions officer to learn more about their policies, and ideally, you'll want to take this step before you start your online courses to ensure the credits you earn will transfer.

You can explore Study.com's partner schools to how different schools evaluate and accept transfer credits:

• Western Governors University
• University of Phoenix
• Grand Canyon University

Step Three: Pass Your Classes

This step is straightforward, but it's where your hard work pays off! Sign up for your online course, complete your assignments, and get a passing grade — then you'll be ready to transfer those hard-earned credits. Many students who earn online credits start with basic general education requirements like college math, college composition, science requirements like intro to biology, or history requirements like US history.

Step Four: Complete a Transfer Application and Request Transcripts

If you haven't already been admitted to your degree program, then you'll need to apply as a transfer student. Some colleges have agreements in place that make the transfer process easier, so it's worth checking if your school offers one of these pathways.

You'll also need to request transcripts from the college or institution where you earned your credits, which are used to evaluate course equivalencies and course content.

How Technology Can Open Doors for Students

For students in education deserts, the lack of access to essential technology and reliable internet can be a major obstacle to succeeding in an online degree program. Without the right tools such as a working computer, a strong Wi-Fi connection, or the necessary software, it's nearly impossible to complete assignments, attend classes, and engage with online content.

These challenges go beyond hardware — according to the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), 24% of students reported internet connectivity problems affecting their coursework, while 54% struggled with the financial burden of internet costs.

These challenges are even more pronounced in education deserts, where high-speed internet is hard to find, and the cost of devices can be a major barrier.

The good news? There are resources and programs designed to help students overcome these barriers.

Government Programs

One key resource is the Lifeline Program, which offers discounted phone and internet services for low-income households. This program aims to help students in education deserts afford phone or internet services so you can stay connected with your professors and instructors.

College-Specific Programs

Many colleges and universities will allow you to check out devices from the library just as you would check out a book! Most will allow short-term or long-term loans. You might be able to check out a laptop, webcam, or hotspots.

For example, Western Governors University provides students with the option to receive laptops, hotspots, and webcams, so they can complete their coursework without worrying about access to technology. These devices are offered as part of their Online Access Scholarship

Some colleges like the University of Arkansas Grantham will even give you a free laptop or offer a scholarship to help you buy your own device.

These kinds of programs may not be widely available, but it's worth researching how your prospective college can help!

Create Your Educational Oasis

Although education deserts seem difficult to navigate, with determination, careful planning, and a little help, you can create your own educational oasis.

• Research All Your Options: Despite not living near a college, you still have many educational options from larger universities to community colleges to online courses. As you take your first step to creating your educational oasis, start local and then widen your search. Take a look at community colleges and public universities in your state — most will offer some form of online or hybrid education. If you don't find the program or area of study you want, then go national! Search for fully online colleges and out-of-state institutions.
• Decide on Your Path: After you've researched your options, consider what works best in terms of time commitments, commute, and access. If you're not able to commit to full-time study, you can decide to take one or two courses at a time. Or if you still want some in-person learning, enroll in a hybrid program. Your educational oasis will be as unique as you are! There's no right or wrong way to earn a degree, so choose a path you feel confident with.
• Set Yourself Up for Success: Once you've decided where and how you'll enroll in college, you'll want to set yourself up for success. Online and hybrid learning requires discipline, planning, and self-motivation. Be sure to create a study schedule, keep track of your assignments, use the resources available to you, and hold yourself accountable. Your educational oasis will flourish if you give it the necessary care and attention!

You're not alone in your pursuit of a college degree outside of a traditional college campus. The geographic barriers you face can complicate your college dreams but by utilizing the advice and tips in this guide, you'll earn a degree right where you are!