New to this, where to start?

[saskgui]

Good questions, all.

You can get a fully accredited AAS with all low-cost or no-cost online courses, but that won't be, strictly speaking, a Biology degree, it would be an Associates of Applied Science with an Area of Emphasis in Biology, Natural Sciences, or something similar.

You can get a fully accredited BS in any of a number of programs, using many of the same low- and no-cost courses for your general education courses.  The upper-level courses you'll need for your BS will cost more, but can likely still be completed online at a reasonable cost.

Depending on which degree program you choose, you'll also need a cornerstone and/or a capstone, much more expensive courses you generally have to take directly from your school.  There may be others, like a basic English course, that your school wants you to take with them.

Your best bet is to pick a degree program and put together a degree plan, so you don't waste time, money and energy taking courses that won't apply to your degree.  Then you can start taking courses in the order and pace that you like.

No need to actually enroll and start paying student fees until you're almost ready to graduate.


Thanks for this, what does AAS stand for? Are there coaches or advisors that can point you done the right road to do what you have just detailed? 

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Hello everyone,

I am an individual that is near to the end of my career however I am interested in learning biology and other life sciences, for now just to satisfy a personal interest. I was tempted to just sign up for the numerous courses one finds on the Internet (free or paid) but I am not sure on the quality of content. Also while I am not sure at this time if I will ever pursue a degree and I would like to have have the option of using the courses that I complete to possibly contribute to a future degree. 

However in all my searching I can't seem to find online biology degrees or even online college courses that count toward a degree. By browsing this forum I see people talking about taking courses through Sophia, Study.com and StraighterLine. Is it possible to take an entire degree through these courses, or are most people doing this to supplement their bricks and motar college classes/degree? When I was young the idea of taking higher education through "correspondence" (before the internet) was considered a joke. Is there still this stigma that taking courses online through some of these alternative schools is not legitimate learning or or where you credentials are not recognised?

Doane University has some great biology and science courses but they are expensive compared to Sophia and study.com

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Thanks, are Sophia and study.com actually recognised as legitimate post secondary institutions? Oh and I just checked Doane and the cost is $1658 for one Biology course!!!