Here’re some of the most important things that you really need to know about YCMOU:

• All their certificates are recognized, so you’ll have no qualms regarding your degree ort certificate recognition.

• It is a central university that was established a long time ago as part of the Act No. 50. No one really cares to know but this information was pulled off some old records so that it could satisfy people who really want to know their institutes in detail.

• The admission announcements of YCMOU are made as per their admission calendar. You can go through this calendar by contacting them directly. As far as the academic schedule is concerned, the information is occasionally updated at their website.

• You can also submit your application online through their official website. Once you’ve submitted an application, you’re supposed to keep the reference number safe and track it by contacting the university staff, from time to time.

IGNOU is perhaps one of the only universities that really stands out tall among distance learning platforms. This university has a strong policy that supports female attendants, as they are in the favor of supporting women for a greater cause. Men, on the other hand, also get the equal rights; it’s not that as if the teachers have a snobbish attitude towards them.

Anyway, coming back to the topic of what they’re offering in distance learning; IGNOU is pretty much well known for Masters, Bachelor and diploma courses. They have a complete list of all the programs, alongside their fee structure. You can log on to their website or take a look below;

*The following expert regarding IGNOU fee has been copied from their official webpage at http://www.ignouranchi.in/revfees.htm

That’s right; this university also offers discounts on fee, alongside its scholarship packages. All you have to do is be eligible for these programs and you can cut down on the total fee. University of Madras is more focused on spreading education across the nation, towards people from the labor class. Most of the employers in that sector have already heard about this university, which is why they’re into hiring the graduates.

By the way, University of Madras follows the same Armed, Naval and Air Force fee discount rules as the universities stated above. If you’re a distant learner, the University of Madras encourages you to rather go for a fast internet connection and very stable computer. They don’t want their students to go through frequent disconnects in the middle of the lecture, and miss out on all the fine non repeatable details.

Kerala University has an ongoing scheme for needy students. It doesn’t matter if you’re a distance learner or one of their regular students, the university will offer you 20% discount on the entire fee. Now for that, you’re going to have to be eligible.

Eligibility criterion for Kerala University comes in various forms. First of all, you’ll have to take an oath or sign a document which promises that in your next semester, you’ll score an average of XYZ GPA. Followed by that, you’ll have to show the income proof that you’re really not able to afford the full university fee. This is just their way of keeping the posers out, and creating a room for deserving cases.

Other scenarios towards entitlement of discount come through the following aspects:

1.   The student has to be a woman who’s serving in the Indian Army.
2. The Student has to be currently serving in the Naval Forces or the Air force.
3. The Student has to be from the labor class.

As far as the degrees and programs are concerned, Kerala University offers variations of science, arts, business and computer. It’s a highly recommended university, just in case you happen to be doing a job during day times and you’re looking for flexible schedule that can go along with your work thing. You can attend the classes at night or at the weekend, as most of the course material is pre recorded.

Kerala University, being an accredited institute, stays aloof of all the fake certifications that are occasionally churned out by so called “top schools and colleges”. The contact information of this university is available through Google and the local yellow pages. So dial in anytime when you’re ready to roll the ball.

When it comes to distance education, Mumbai University is one of the most known names in the literary circles. If you haven’t heard about this university, or you’re more of a bona fide skeptic, here are the reasons why you’d want to join it in the first place:

• The first thing that’s most obvious is that Mumbai University is a regionally accredited institute. It means that you’ll face no qualms regarding your degree recognition among employers, other training institutes and vice versa.

• Mumbai University, alongside its slew of majors, is widely famous for offering small time certification and diplomas. These short courses are available through distance learning, and on top of that, they’re also accredited. Hence once you’ve graduated from there, your certificates are going to come in handy at a lot of different occasions during job application processes.

The commonly available programs at Mumbai University Distance Education are categorized under Engineering, Arts, Social Sciences, Computers and Business Administration. You can also opt in for post graduate study sessions if you’re considering seeking a Masters degree through this university. All of this is possible within the confines of your home, which is why this university is highly recommended to distant learners.

• Mumbai University Distance Education Industry Relations:

Industry relations can be understood by the fact that the courses taught at this university, are globally and nationally recognized by major job markets. From a hypothetical point of view, if you were to complete your education from this university, you won’t have any major troubles finding a job.

In most cases, many employers are constantly in contact with Mumbai University Distance Education in order to hand pick the best graduates. So if you’re willing to work hard and really push yourself for a good score, there’s a long and easy shot for you in terms of getting a high salary job.

• Learning Prospects For Regular Students:

Lucky for you if you’re not a distance student,  because Mumbai University Distance Education offers regular courses as well. You can just get yourself enrolled in their programs where you’ll have to attend the classes physically. They’ve got a state of the art facility, computers and a wonderful staff that would love to teach you through and through.

For more information, you can either search for Mumbai University Distance Education in the information directory or on the internet. Their fee rates are also available once you’re directly in contact with them.

It was a little tough when I was writing this article. As the title suggests: “5 Top Universities In India”, I stumbled over 7,000 words of priceless information, with over 30 universities contained in them. Some of them were really awesome, while the rest were so-so.

The reason why I am telling you this is because it isn’t possible to zero in on only 5 distance universities in India. It’s a big country with millions of students who get enrolled in different programs. On top of that, the “best” university thing comes down to your personal preferences, financial capabilities and perseverance.

Oh, and there’s one more thing; some distance universities bellow out huge claims about being top notch learning institutes, which isn’t entirely true. How so? You’ll get to know it a little later in this article, through my personal favorite “Cautions” section. But for now, let’s take a look at the modern definition of Education, shall we?

Top 5 Distance Learning Universities In India

We shortlisted all the top universities in terms of what they’re offering to distant learners. Take a look at some of the finest universities in India:

1. Mumbai University

2. Kerala University

3. University of Madras

4. Indira Gandhi National Open University

5. Yashwantrao C. Maharashtra Open University

The buyers, or the students, on the other hand, want the best bang for their buck. In this context, always keep in mind that a $20,000 course isn’t that much better than the same deal that some small scale college is offering for $5,000. Maybe the smaller platform has dedicated teachers and a professional approach towards the course content.

Anyhow, let’s see what education is:

• “Education is the process of teaching or being taught”.
  • “Education is the act of imparting knowledge in a learning environment”.

Distance education is a little different than conventional education; it’s more of a student’s responsibility to hold on to the learning process. As we know that the student-teacher physical interaction is absent in case of distance learning, it’s the student who really has to feel motivated and work through all the scenarios.

In a nutshell, current Indian and South Asian Universities are offering the following kinds of distance education packages:

1. Standardized Distance Learning:
   1. True depiction of “Student becomes the master”, oversees the learner with most of the control over the learning process. Such kinds of distance education packages are not guided or laser targeted in terms of enforcing the student to comply with the program modules.
      i.      The teacher simply records a course or broadcasts it through a webinar. If the student attends it, it’s well and good. If the student misses it, he or she can always come back later.

1. Open Learning:
   1. Open distance learning is based on side courses and plans to further enhance your education. Such programs don’t have age limits because everyone wants to join in so badly. Hence the expression: “Open Opportunities” of learning for all, comes into perspective more clearly than ever.
      i.      Open distance learning is not the ideal platform for people who want to seek proper degree through a proper medium.
      ii.      Open learning modules don’t have prerequisites or any major requirements.

1. Distributed Learning:
   1. This kind of distance learning occurs through multiple learning networks. Universities encourage students to take parts in live lecture webinars, so that they can interact with one another and learn as much as possible.

Okay, finally coming to the MBA segment of this article, there’re a lot of things that you need to know. First of all, you’re already aware that MBA has become a very common degree these days. In fact it is so popular that most of the hiring agencies have set MBA as a minimum qualification criterion for employees out there.

These companies don’t really prefer where you’re coming from. If you graduated from a distance learning institute with FLYING COLORS, the employers will take you in immediately. It is because of the fact that the corporate world has now cartwheeled into a demand cycle, where it’s constantly looking for talented people like you.

You have an outstanding MBA degree, and signs of learning quickly, you’re the person for the job. With a high demand for MBA, there comes the scam factor. We already discussed that accreditation and a legal recognition are two most important factors when you’re willing to get listed in a distance learning MBA course.

The next thing is the nature of your MBA. If you’re specializing in Human Resources, and the market is demanding MBA Marketing experts, your degree is not going to be as much laser targeted as it was supposed to be.

Figuratively speaking; over 10,000 MBA students graduated from different U.S. universities in 1965. Currently, in 2011, you can obviously 10X the amount of graduates because there’re universities and colleges all over the world. Want to know the interesting part of this theory? Two third of the degrees are awarded to students who’re enrolled in a distance learning MBA program.

With that being said, the question of choosing the right MBA comes into perspective. Here’s the big question: Which MBA degree is the right one for you? In the next few passages, you’ll find out a great deal about MBA programs through easily understandable bullet points:

• Specialization Courses or a General Approach?
  • If you have a plain vanilla mindset about MBA from a distance learning channel, you’re in for a lot of trouble. The “plain vanilla” approach says that you’re looking at the courses from a general point of view:
    • Accounting
    • Marketing
    • Management
    • Finance
    • Organizational Behavior
  • Remember that MBA doesn’t always come with the above listed specialization areas. Throughout your course, you’ll see tons of other courses that are not there to make up for the credit hours. While everyone is pursuing a degree in above specialization fields, you can follow a track that’s a little general. Go for:
    • International Trade
    • Church Management
    • Healthcare Administration

• More Calculation or Less Calculation?
  • How much theory you need to learn, as opposed to the idea of opting in for courses that involve heavy calculations? Is there an easy way to avoid the entire math and still being able to make money once you’re done with your MBA?
    • It’s true that after graduating from a distance school or college, people opt in for jobs that require less mathematics. However, if you’re good on the theory side and you are also able to know the ins and outs of Advanced Calculus, Elementary Level Concepts of Algebra, you’re on the right road.
    • By the way, you’ll need a lot more than elementary level concepts because the corporate sector is really competitive.
    • Seek a distance learning MBA course that offers more of both sides; theory and practical skills. Subjects such as Business Finance, IBF, Cost Accounting and Managerial Accounting are a must have for good MBA courses.

• Cheap Distance Learning Vs. Expensive Distance Learning?
  • The next important question is whether you want to complete your MBA degree from a distance university that charges a fortune or not. In an honest opinion, the cost of any education SHOULD be calculated in terms of practical application and quality of the taught material.
  • An average MBA will cost you $5,000 to $100,000. Indian students are requested to interpret these figures in local currency.
  • People are of the mind that if the degree is pursued in an expensive fashion, it’s credibility will be more solid. However, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a $10,000 MBA program. As a matter of fact, some potential students cant even afford $10,000 for an MBA degree.
  • This means that distance learning is the right channel for you. More so, if we compare the cost of a regular MBA with that of a distance learning one, we have to take into account the following additional expenses:
    • Hostel or Lodging Fee
    • Travel Expenses on Daily Basis
    • Risk of Losing the Job
    • Time Factor.
    • Student Loans and The Cost Involved In Clearing Them
    • So-Called Aids and Grants
    • Scholarships That Can Backfire Any time!

All you need, prior to going for any distance learning channel, is a properly researched material. If you’ve got something at hand that tells you about fee structure of all the universities that you’re considering, legit testimonials, the quality of education and the type of programs being offered, you’ll eventually make the right choice.

Remember, it’s all about your preferences and your future. If the big picture tells you about seeking education through distance learning, go for it. If it doesn’t, then you can always go to a regular institute and manage your expenses the same way everyone does during student life.

Good luck to you with anything you’re up against in your life 

First of all, seeking a Bachelor Degree from a distance institute, or an online university, is not everyone’s game. There’re people who were made to consistently follow a distant learning education, while there’re individuals who can’t do it.

Well, the latter category can get enrolled in the said university but they don’t have the same level of motivation or compulsion to completely pursue the program to the end. Now why am I telling you these things? The fact is that if you realize that you don’t have what it takes to complete your education through a distant learning university, it can save you a lot of money, time and headaches.

Now if we look at those individuals from the first category, we’ll come to discover that they want to complete their bachelor degree due to one of the following reasons:

1.   The entrant is a girl or a woman who needs to pursue her dreams. Her family is kind of having a hard time in being okay with her joining a university, as they don’t deem it fit in some manner. So the girl or the lady is motivated enough to study and pursue her dreams, while keeping both ends tied to their places.

2.   The student is a boy or a guy who works 9 to 5 to support his family. Regardless of the fact that he has his own family to take care of, or his siblings to attend to, the guy needs to study because it’s his ambition. He wants it so bad that he’ll work his butt off during the day, and then sit right in front of the computer during the night, to study each and everything that was taught by the teachers.

3.   The potential student lives far from the university.

4.   The potential student can’t afford regular university fee, so distant learning seems like the right bang for his buck.

5.   None of the Above – You’re just too lazy and probably you’ll also drop out of this distant learning institute for the same reason. First, find the motivation in you somewhere, and THEN go for the programs.

Anyway, the quest for distant education begins from getting enrolled in a reputable university. If it’s an online university, you don’t have to worry about certain things such as limitation of courses. Online universities or schools that conduct such programs are made for distant learning, so much so that you have a large variety of Bachelor Programs to choose from.

But if you have opted in a distance education Bachelor level program, from a university that’s conducting this educational series as a side business, and then you won’t have a lot of options at your disposal. For instance, University “A” is a land based university, which has become really popular over the last few decades.

Suddenly the administration decides to introduce online or virtual learning courses as part of its popularity campaign. Such universities are a no go, if you were to compare them with institutes that were completely made for distance learning, right from the very beginning.

Do bear in mind that whatever university you’re planning to go for, it has to be an accredited institute. You don’t want to discover after 2 year’s effort that your Bachelor degree is worthless, or isn’t of the same value in the job market, because of the fact that the university wasn’t accredited.

Accreditation is a big deal these days because the Middle States Commission on Higher Education has made it mandatory for any institute to operate legally and to meet certain requirements before going into the education business. In India, if you want to seek a bachelor degree specialization from a distance learning institute, you should look for a regionally accredited platform. That being said, every single regional institute is not capable of meeting the requirements, so all of them are not as good as they seem.

As a matter of fact, the regionally accredited university certificates easily get verified by prospective employers and online hiring agencies, since they know that the student isn’t coming from a shaky background. Most of the employers are also constantly in contact with distance universities. If you’re enrolled in a good accredited university, you at least have an assurance regarding a decent job.

While researching for distance education associates program in India, we stumbled upon over 30 different universities. Each of them was offering specialization in a variety of associates degrees, alongside various other perks and benefits.

The list was shortened to over 10 universities; most of them are known as the top notch institutes within high circles of literacy and virtual learning. Indira Gandhi National Open University is suitable for those students who have a knack for doing day time jobs, and attending classes from their homes through the internet. Women are also encouraged to get enrolled in this university, if they’re unable to physically attend the classes on premises.

Why an Associate Degree?

Among obvious reasons, you don’t want to keep tabs on the associate degree program through conventional means, while they’re all available through distance platforms. For instance, years ago, students would have to attend the classes on campus from a real person.

Technology has shape shifted convenience to a whole new level, where students don’t have to move an inch outside their homes. Traditionally, the associates’ degree programs are imparted through a collection of PDF files, CD ROMS and online prerecorded lecture videos. The student logs on to the courses section,  through a unique account, if he/she is “interested” in attending the class.

Or if the university has provided a real time lecture deliverance mode, the student has to be there in front of the computer at a specific time. The biggest advantage of real time lectures is that students can interact with the teacher, at the other end, through questions, suggestions and any other things that seem dubious or confusing.

In Associates Degree, the assignments and quizzes are handed out in a timely manner. Usually, an email is sent to the desired students, with details and deadline of the concerned assignment. Same goes for the quiz, as a unique link is provided to every student. The tests are supposed to be solved online, with a timer ticking at top of the screen.

Once the student has taken the test, there’s no backing out. He/she cannot flip back to the previous webpage, in order to change the answers. Hence it is strongly advised that you’re all prepared for the test before clicking the link in your emails.

Anyway, coming back to the subject of Associates Degree program outside the territorial boundaries of India or Pakistan, Liberty University is a U.S. based institute that’s well known for its Associate of Arts in Business program. The primary purpose of this program was designed around the idea of enabling its learners to serve the modern business world.

Students are able to integrate their concepts from the Associate of Arts in Business degree in real life corporate world problems, which further helps them in solving common work place issues. The technical terms are “synthesis”, and “evaluation”; both modes are essential for problem solving and decision making.

If you have a mindset for taking an active part in the business community; if you have an aptitude of learning as you go, and a caliber for tough decision making, the Associate Degree is the right stuff for you. Take a look at some quick facts about the Associates Degree:

• The tuition fee for Associates Degree during 2010 – 2011 was $304. This amount was against each credit hour and a full time enrollment protocol.

• There are 55 – 60 credit hours in this program, which gives it a 1 – 1.5 year learning curve.

• Some universities allow you to take a minimum of 15 credit hours, before you can submit an application for transfer of Associate Degree to some other institute of your choice.

• The Associate Degree is strongly meant for those who are competitive and want to give a jump start to their career.

• Through this degree, you’ll mostly get jobs at entry levels. If you want to get huge promotions, you’re going to have to seek other specialization courses with a higher value in the market.

• Also know that an Associates Degree isn’t going to do you any good if you haven’t taken the initiative of researching the current job market, taking different trends into account and a will to socially interact with people outside of your area of specialization.

• Sometimes getting a degree from any virtual institute is merely one half of the equation, as the student is expected to do his/her homework after the completion of the program.

What’s Scope of Associate Degree?

Okay, just in case you’re wondering about where you can get a job after you’re done with your Associate Degree, from a reputable distance learning platform, read the bullet points appended below.

-          Accounting

-          Financial Management

-          Economics

-          Strategic Management (Frontline Level)

-          General Business Practices

-          Business Marketing

-          Business Relations

-          Logistics

Let’s move on to the next segment of the article now…