The internet is a terrific leveling field as it provides a solid way for people to connect from across the world regardless of their age, gender, social status, or ethnicity. It is almost hard to believe that before the mid-1990s, online access was very uncommon, but today even some tribesmen in remote African villages are now online.

Schools of higher education were among the first users touting the benefits of the internet, with the University of Phoenix getting its start in the 1980s, well before “modem” was a household word. Today, hundreds of schools are offering online degrees, including the following grad programs from five top flight universities:

Edinburgh Business School (EBS) — Located in Scotland, EBS is part of Heriot-Watt University and has a global reputation for providing an excellent MBA degree. Online learning is typically very expensive, but an MBA from EBS will cost approximately $15,000, adjusted for monetary variations.

Stanford Center For Professional Development — Stanford University’s reputation comes to your home computer, allowing students to receive grad degrees in Engineering.

Florida State University — FSU’s College of Social Work was one of the first schools to offer masters degrees to students, making their program available online in 2001.

The Franklin Institute Online — Drexel University’s Franklin Institute is educating students seeking an MS in Education. For taking classes online, Franklin offers students a 10-25% discount on tuition.

Carnegie Mellon — You can receive your Master in Software Engineering online thanks to a program developed by Carnegie Mellon.

Some schools, including Duke University, require grad students to spend a portion of their time on campus while pursuing a degree. Of course, this can severely limit people who cannot travel to Durham, North Carolina, but it may be an option for those who can.

Yes, online learning continues to grow and expand with schools offering certificates; associate, bachelor, and master degrees; even awarding doctorates over the internet.

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Tags: Carnegie Mellon, distance learning, Drexel, Duke University, Edinburgh School of Business, Florida State, Franklin Institute, online learning, Stanford University, University of Phoenix

Reaching out to new students is a practice universities have mastered, but Tiffin University is doing something no other school has tried: create an online college to woo students to its school.

Ivy Bridge College is an online-only school developed and run by Tiffin University offering associate degrees which can open up doors to a four-year degree at Tiffin and other schools. An independent, coeducational institution that has been educating students since 1888, Tiffin has achieved national recognition for its accredited on-campus and online courses.

Tiffin’s Ivy Bridge program is designed particularly to help students who need extra academic assistance to succeed and will team students with coaches who will monitor their progress. Specifically, Ivy Bridge College offers:

Log On Anytime. Students can log on to take classes at any time, setting their own schedule, and completing the program in as little as 20 months.

Connection with teachers and students. The school is encouraging email contact with teachers, news group discussions, online chats, and office hours. Students will be able to connect with each other as well.

A planned path. Ivy Bridge has agreements in place with Tiffin University and dozens of other colleges and universities throughout the United States. These agreements make it easier for students to be accepted into and to transfer credits to four-year institutions once they have completed their Ivy Bridge degree.

Earn a highly prized degree. Ivy Bridge students will earn a Tiffin University degree, which is authorized by the Ohio Board of Regents and accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission (NCA) and by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Applications for new students is currently under way.

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Tags: college credits, distance learning, Ivy Bridge College, online learning, Tiffin University