After all the work that goes into getting a degree, the last thing on many graduates' minds is going back to school. But with online and distance education exploding in growth, life-long learning is now easier than ever.

At our convocation it's quite interesting to hear people say, after all the time they've just spent on an undergrad degree, that they may come back, says Dr. Margaret Haughey, vice-president academic of Athabasca University, Canada's largest online university. What distance education does is give people the flexibility to continue that learning while continuing with their life.

That demand to continue learning is also now more important than ever. From professional designations to masters' degrees, experts say employers are increasingly looking for additional credentials.

It's very necessary to continue learning and get those designations for your career, advises Alireza Hassanlou, executive director of professional programs at Carleton University's Sprott School of Business. It's absolutely important for getting promoted and driving your career.

In fact, Hassanlou estimates that about 95 percent of his students are working professionals and says many get promoted as a result of upgrading their skills. So if you're ready to up your career creds, here's what you need to know about online and distance education.

First of all, the sheer volume of what's available is overwhelming, says Medix Online lead instructor Andrew Lee. There are certificate programs, short courses, diplomas you name it, it's online.

So how do you know what course is right for you? Experts say the first step is to determine not only the skills, but also the level of certification you're after. Will a 40-hour certificate course meet your needs or do your co-workers all have MBAs? Once you're clear on your goals, it's time to research the courses and institutions you're interested in. Even though they're just a mouse click away, online and distance courses take a lot of time and effort so it's important to make sure you pick a good one.

It's essential to research the institution because many institutions may offer credentials that either aren't recognized or won't lead to something, warns Dr. Haughey. Most people do this to leverage it into other things so it's important you come out with something you can actually use.

What's the school's track record? Does it have the proper accreditation? How long has the online program been in place? These are all questions prospective students should ask before signing up.

When it comes to picking a good course, key components are the faculty members and their experience, an interesting and relevant curriculum, and external recognition, Hassanlou says.

It's also important to check the time commitment and make sure it's not only realistic for the material but also fits into your schedule. How flexible is the program? Is there interaction with other students? How accessible are the instructors?

That's really essential and good courses will have a lot of faculty interaction because that's really key to your success, says Lee. You have to make sure those routes of contact are there.

Before you log onto a course, check to see if your employer will help cover the cost. Many workplaces will financially support professional development but may have restrictions on the types of courses covered. Finally, if all of this seems a bit overwhelming or you're not sure where to start, the best advice is to start small.

I think for people who are just new going into the workplace it's a chance for them to do more exploration around career ideas, says Dr. Haughey. Often what people will do is a certificate instead of a degree at that point and in our credentialed world, it's so important to get that and keep on learning.

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