(ARA) - For many people, earning an advanced degree used to be an accomplishment that was out of reach. They didn't go to college right away after high school because they had to hold down a job to earn money. Once working, most people didn't have the time to go back to school. Thanks to the Internet, school has become a reality for many. According to the Sloan Consortium, a group of institutions and organizations committed to quality online education, more than two million students are now enrolled in educational programs offered exclusively online. Students are earning Associates, Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees without ever setting foot in a classroom. The ability to earn a degree online has opened doors to people who never thought they'd be able to pursue a higher degree. Office secretaries are bettering themselves by earning Master's degrees; teachers are improving their salaries by earning PhDs; and you can improve your earning potential too. How do you go about finding the school that's right for you? "Some people rely on word of mouth. Others rely on Internet searches, but they can be cumbersome. We recommend people turn to www.degreeadvance.com, a website that puts information from multiple universities all in one place," says Mike Williams, the site's manager. When you're ready to start the search for an online school, all you have to do is log on to www.degreeadvance.com and answer a few questions about yourself, including your desired degree, your area of interest and the specialty you'd like to pursue. With the click of a mouse, you'll be able to find the school that's the best fit for you. "What Degree Advance does best is customize options to what works best for the student," says Williams. For example, if you're looking for a school that offers a Master's degree in Marketing, the program offered by the University of Phoenix may be the best choice for you. If you're seeking a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, the best school may be Ellis College in New York. Once you pick a school, Degree Advance will forward your registration to that institution, and they'll get in touch with you through the phone or mail. To find the online program that's right for you, log on to www.degreeadvance.com. Copyright 2006, ARA Content