A new study may finally put to rest the long debate over whether online classes are as good as traditional residential learning. Research by Rowan University found that the key to completing a degree program depends on the type of student rather than the educational delivery method.

In the 2010 study the New Jersey based university measured student retention, which refers to whether a student who begins a course or a degree program completes that course or degree program.  The study revealed that certain types of student – the non-traditional, older, working mom and single parents who work full-time – stand a better chance of completing online classes than completing residential classes.

{{LeftSponsor53}}Real-life examples abound. Cecilia Parmer chose to pursue an online masters in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University after considering campus alternatives.

Christian online schools are growing fast. In fact, two Christian universities — Liberty University and Grand Canyon University — are among the 10 largest universities in online-only enrollment.

But before you take a leap of faith online — or turn up your nose at the very idea of an online degree from a Christian or faith-based college — you need to understand that there are two very different kinds of online Christian universities. One — or neither — may be right for you.

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Students love accelerated online degree programs.

Accelerated programs consist of short online classes. A traditional college course lasts 16 weeks, but an accelerated bachelor's program compresses courses into shorter five-, eight- or 10-week sessions.

You literally earn your degree faster by studying faster.

You take just as many courses to complete an accelerated bachelor's degree as a traditional degree. But you learn faster in an effort to accelerate degree completion.

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Graduate schools often require students to take admission tests. The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) is the most commonly required test. The MAT (Miller Analogies Test) is another. Preparing for these tests can be time consuming—and expensive.

Fortunately, most accredited online master's degree programs do not require the GRE.

In fact, a 2010 national study by Get Educated revealed that among 1,300+ accredited online master's degree programs, the majority—932 programs—require no GRE exam. 

Graduate students who want to avoid the GRE or MAT should compare online master's programs carefully. It is possible to find a high quality distance learning program that does not require the GRE or a related admission test.