Distance education is one of the fastest growing branches of higher education as more people with busy lives find an alternate path to a college degree. While College of the Mainland has been offering Internet and hybrid classes for years, the College with its Texas City campus and its League City Learning Center is set to launch College of the Mainland Online next month.

Starting August 30, College of the Mainland Online will make it easier for students to earn an associate of arts degree in general studies or criminal justice. Two business certificate programs - services/retail operation and small business operations - are also offered.

"We have been moving in this direction for several years," explains Janet Wortman, director of distance education at COM. "Many working adults struggle to balance work, home and family with college. Online learning allows busy adults to fit school work into their schedule which might be from 10 p.m. until midnight four nights each week."

While the classes are online, Wortman cautions that the learning still shares a traditional educational model with its bricks and mortar campus.

"Students follow the same semester schedule that our on campus classes follow," says Wortman. "Assignments are due in a timely manner. Interaction with instructors and fellow students still occurs online. And while it is true you can sign on at 3 a.m. in your pajamas to complete an assignment, the class progresses along traditional weekly timelines. If you fall behind, it is difficult to catch up with the rest of the class."

The ability to complete a degree in two years depends on the student's ability to remain focused and motivated just as with traditional classes. Learning online requires good time management skills and the ability to work alone and stay on task.

Wortman adds that online students need to have enough technical proficiency to complete the work online, and, while they do not need to own a computer they must have access to one on a regular basis.

Students who want to enroll in online classes must first complete an online orientation course called the Online Learner Workshop.

"This orientation workshop shows students how to submit assignments, complete online tests, post to the discussion board, complete an online course evaluation and other online tasks," explains Wortman.

Wortman adds that a misconception about online classes is that a student can take his or her time to complete the class since it is online 24/7. Not true. But for those who are motivated and have good time management skills, College of the Mainland Online can be the surest path to a college degree.

To learn more about College of the Mainland Online and other distance education options at COM visit www.com.edu/de or call 888-258-8859 or 409-938-1211, ext. 264.