When Mick Jagger sang, "Time is on my side" he obviously wasn’t referring to your career. Today, working adults are on the clock for ten to twelve hours a day with little if any time to pursue other interests. And when they finally reach home after work, most assume responsibilities that come with raising a family. Yet adults across the nation -- knowing a fragile job market still looms in the United States -- are discovering an easy way to return to school to improve their chances of advancing their careers.

That answer is online and today dozens of schools offer degree programs that allow students to learn on their own time from where it’s most convenient for them.

The practicality and convenience of online learning has helped it become a popular choice among busy adults who feel there is not enough time in the day. According to a new report from Eduventures, a Boston based research firm, enrollment in fully online education programs is projected to grow 30 percent in 2004 reaching a total of about 915,000 students.

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Those with reservations about online learning should consider the benefits. Most programs offer rolling admissions and courses begin frequently so students can get started quickly. Going to school online means no hurried commute to make it to class in time. Students can log on to their course any time of day. And online programs typically cater to adult learners, so courses focus on material that’s important and practical.

Despite more than a half million people enrolled in online degree programs today, there’s still much uncertainty about what it is like to study online. Since most people are used to a traditional, campus-based education, it’s no wonder many question how valid and effective online learning can be.

That attitude has begun to change. According to a recent study by the Sloan Consortium, 57 percent of academic leaders feel that an online education is equal to or superior to traditional face-to-face instruction.

Choosing the right school is key to a positive and rewarding online learning experience. Prospective students should understand the options available and investigate which programs best suit their needs.

Geoffrey M. Cox, Ph.D., and executive director for Ellis College of New York Institute of Technology, an online university for working adults, recommends people seek the answers to these five key questions when beginning their search for the right online university:

1. Is the institution accredited?

2. Does the institution have both an online and traditional brick-and-mortar presence?

3. Does the institution have adequate student support services?

4. What are the qualifications of the instructors in the specific field they choose to study?

5. What is the success rate of alumni?

After the initial research is conducted and the list of target schools is narrowed, Ellis College recommends five key criteria when determining which program is right for them.

* An online education should be highly interactive and allow for fluid communication between students and faculty members. Online learning does not have to be an isolated experience.

* Courses should be specially tailored for online delivery and the course content should have immediate real-world applications.

* Instructors should be qualified and experienced online professors who understand the technology that supports online learning.

* The institution should be committed to the student’s success. To do this, they should have sound technological infrastructure and have a strong support structure for each student.

* The institution needs to understand that students’ time is limited and must design the program so each person can achieve their goals in a rapid and efficient fashion.

Acceptance of online learning is growing every day. In its study, The Sloan Consortium also discovered that two-thirds of all schools surveyed believe that online learning will have a critical role in their future and the schools realize it must be a part of their long-term strategy.

Individuals looking to improve their career opportunities and earning power should consider returning to school online.

But Mick Jagger didn’t get it entirely wrong when he sang, “If you try sometimes/you just might find/you get what you need.”