What Are Some Common At-Home College Courses?

Students who are unable to participate in on-campus courses may be interested in taking college courses from home. Examples of common at-home college courses are described below.

At-Home College Courses

At-home college courses are designed for students who are unable to commit to on-campus study. Many working professionals may be unable to leave their jobs in order to complete a degree. At-home courses make it possible for students to pursue an academic degree around their schedule and work at their own pace. At-home courses are generally offered online or as correspondence courses. Online courses are completed using a personal computer with Internet access. Correspondence courses are received in the mail and completed manually. Below are some of the most common at-home college courses.

Important Information About At-Home College Courses

Course Availability Within undergraduate or graduate degree program
Within undergraduate or graduate certificate program
Standalone
Online Format Options Fully online
Fully online with local internship
Hybrid (partially online, partially on campus)
Common Hardware Requirements Computer, webcam, headset, fax machine, scanner, printer, high-speed internet connection
Common Software Requirements Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Adobe Flash Player, PDF viewer
Required Skills Computer literacy, strong reading and writing abilities, self-motivation, independent learning ability, time management skills

Financial Accounting

In financial accounting courses, students learn about the regulations surrounding the preparation of financial information. They also learn how to analyze and interpret financial information in order to understand the financial situation of an organization, and they develop communication skills so that they can share this information with interested parties. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov), financial analysts earned a median annual salary of $85,660 as of May 2018.

Introduction to Mass Communication

Most students pursuing an online undergraduate degree in communication will be required to complete an introductory course. This survey course serves as an overview of the relationship between mass media and society as a whole. Programs may specifically highlight the role of the media in the United States today, challenging students to evaluate the reasons why large-scale news organizations work in particular ways and how dissemination of information may be improved in the future. The BLS reported that media and communication occupations, as of May 2018, had a median salary of $57,530.

Organizational Behavior

This course forms part of the curriculum of a variety of degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration. The class introduces students to the foundations of individual and group behavior in a wide range of settings. Group dynamics, leadership, and institutional structures are discussed. This is advanced course, so some programs don’t allow students to enroll unless they have junior standing or instructor permission. As of May 2018, the BLS reported a median annual salary of $97,260 for industrial-organizational psychologists.

Introduction to Psychology

Students pursuing an online associate or bachelor’s degree in psychology are usually required to complete an introductory course early in the program. The class explores a number of basic psychology topics, including personality, human behavior and social influence. Students also discuss a variety of psychological disorders, and they learn to analyze research in the field. According to the BLS, as of May 2018, psychologists made $79,010 for a median annual salary.

Introduction to Web Design

This course serves as an introduction to the foundations of Web page construction. The appearance and functionality of website layouts are explored, and students learn how to effectively design and implement a quality Web page using programs such as WordPress. Students also gain familiarity with network protocols such as FTP and programming languages like HTML5 and CSS3. Web developers earned a median annual salary of $69,430, as of May 2018, according to the BLS.