There’s a lot of back and forth about online studies. Some may argue that employers don’t appreciate applicants who earn their degree online, that an in-classroom experience is much more recognized and appreciated, and that this is what job seekers are looking for. Others may counter that pursuing online studies is just as demanding and informative as being in the classroom, therefore it should not be looked at as some sort of ‘sub-education’.
It is a debate that may never have an absolute resolution. Yet, the ramifications of such discussions can sometimes leave an overall distaste toward online learning. That shouldn’t be the case.
Students who are thinking about pursing a degree in accounting should also consider taking online courses. They don’t have to complete their entire degree online. For some courses that include lab work that would be impossible. However, for other courses, online classes might be the way to go.
Some Challenges of Taking Online Classes
True, there are some challenges to taking online classes, but there’s always going to be a challenge when a) you go to college, b) select accounting as your degree, and c) choose to take online accounting classes or decide to sit in class! Either way, the challenge is there and cannot be avoided.
Going to college is a big responsibility. It is also a student’s duty to find out what the college has to offer him/her in order to make his/her academic experience as enriching as possible. This includes considering the option of online learning.
Some Challenges of Taking Accounting Courses
Accounting is one of those areas of study where, for the most part, the student must work independently. This can be said for all areas of study, but for accounting majors in particular, the number crunching requires independent execution of every assignment. However, the critical thinking of how to complete a spreadsheet task, for example does not have to be. Not being able to ask the professor or classmate might appear to cripple a student’s classroom experience.
It can be said that online learning can isolate a student, limiting his/her communications skills for that particular course. On the other hand, online learning also has it advantages. With the help of a guidance counselor, students can look at the bigger picture and arrange their academic program by incorporating a few online courses with their traditional classroom classes; because when it comes to learning, students need to take advantage of every teaching tool a college has to offer.
What’s So Great about Online Learning?
Online classes are worth taking because it gets students, especially accounting students who might be more comfortable with numbers and nothing more, familiar with computers.
These days, it’s hard to find a student who is not familiar with computer technology, but smart phones don’t count! It’s not enough for accounting students to master the basic principles of their field. Everything is computerized and future accounting employees need to know their way around a computer. This is exactly what taking online classes can do for a student.
Advantages of Taking Online Classes
One of the advantages of taking an online course is time. There is no commuting, no meandering about the school parking lot to find a spot—no parking fees for that matter, and no gas money to expense toward transportation. With online courses, all of that time can be put toward studying. This is especially beneficial for non-traditional students who may be juggling a full or part-time job and maybe even raising a family while pursing their accounting degree.
With online courses also comes an online community. Even though an online class may physically isolate a student from the traditional classroom setting, it does not isolate them socially. In fact, online classes enhance social situations and again, are perfect for some accounting majors who typically tend to gravitate away from social interactions.
Accounting students taking online classes basically have 24-hour access to their professors, enabling them to ask questions that perhaps they wouldn’t normally ask in a traditional classroom setting. Students also have virtual communication access to their classmates. This gives all the students taking the course the opportunity to communicate with one another, kicking around ideas and sharpening their problem-solving skills. Whereas in a regular classroom, unless coerced by the professor, most students will only collaborate with whoever is in close proximity.
Florida National University (FNU) Accounting Courses:
FNU understands the importance of pursuing an accounting degree and what an important role it plays in our economy. That is why we have constituted three separate degrees within the same field. We are confident that students will find the right program that will pair nicely with the type of accounting career goal they have in mind.
All of FNU accounting programs are designed to prepare students for an entry-level career in accounting and prep them for a higher-level degree within the field. However, FNU accounting programs are not designed to prep students to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.
FNU Offers 3 Different Types of Accounting Degrees:
- Accounting Associate of Arts (AA) – A minimum of 61 credits needed to graduate. Studies the basic principles of accounting in addition to completing credits in arts and humanities.
- Accounting Associate of Science (AC) – A minimum of 60 credits required for graduation. Like AA, AC also studies the basic accounting principles. However, this degree concentrates more on math and science and includes internship opportunities.
- Accounting Bachelor of Science (BS) – A minimum of 120 credits are needed to graduate with a bachelor’s in accounting. This program is an intensive study of both the AA and AC program that also includes 25 elective credits.
FNU: Giving You the Best Learning Experience
Without proper accounting professionals, the worldwide economy would have a challenging time staying afloat! FNU values the art and science behind the principles of accounting. That is why we have assembled these three accounting programs. So if you need help determining which FNU accounting program will work for you as well as which classes should be taken online, contact one of our counselors today.
