By Ysolt Usigan

With statistics reporting that more than 1.7 million unique students to date have schooled online, it's a no-brainer that distance learning is all the rage. What may be surprising is the fact that eLearning is ideal for students besides stay-at-home moms and busy professionals -- even big-name athletes like Shaquille O'Neal and movie stars such as Hilary Duff are clicking into the books in between games and Hollywood premieres.

Although these celebs may already have their dream careers, they're shooting for dream degrees, too. Miami Heat's Shaq, for instance, earned his master's degree in criminal justice from the University of Phoenix to solidify his genuine interest in police work. See which other notables may be coming to a cyber classroom near you.

Online Schools Go Hollywood

Off screen, pop-culture queens are taking a break from the spotlight to bask in the glow of the education computer screen.

After recording songs together and co-starring in "Material Girls," singer/songwriter/actress sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff enrolled in the Harvard Extension School together part time last spring.

This wasn't much of a stretch for Haylie, though. "I've been homeschooled since the ninth grade," she pointed out prior to starting her sociology studies at Harvard in 2005. "So I never went to a real high school." Although neither of the two celebs were degree candidates at the Ivy League institution, they participated in the school's open-enrollment program that exposes students to Harvard courses online.

Major League Baseball Star Pitches Cyber Learning

While the Duffs used eLearning as an education warmup, some celebs are striving to run the degree bases. National University, California's second-largest private, nonprofit university, now has Major League Baseball's Luke Hudson on its roster. The Kansas City Royals pitcher is currently attending -- virtually, that is -- the school's Costa Mesa campus for a business administration degree.

"Right now I'm taking a course called Entrepreneurial Marketing," Luke attests. "It's one of my favorites so far."

He signed up for the program after he began marketing the Mahl Bridge, a tool for artists and calligraphers, with his brother and father. As the company's director of Marketing, Luke plans to utilize his degree and education experiences in the family business.

The 29-year-old was motivated to complete his degree because he realizes he won't be a pro athlete forever. "You can only make a career out of [sports] for so long," he says. "I don't plan on being the next Roger Clemens."

Luke's field of dreams consists of thriving in the business world when his baseball days are over. And for a busy athlete, online school was the best way to go.

"During spring training, it's relatively easy to find time to study," says Luke. "Starting pitchers have it made because we only pitch every fifth day." On his off days, you may find the rookie reading lectures or working via computer.

David Waller, associate regional dean at the school's appeal to busy pros from all walks of life. "Whether you are a major league pitcher spending 100+ days on the road or a stay-at-home mom balancing school and family, National University's online [module] provides a dynamic and interactive learning environment that enables students to complete programs in an accelerated time frame while maintaining their responsibilities."

When asked if his classmates know they're in a course with a Major League Baseball pitcher, Luke replies, "I try to avoid the topic when the instructor asks everyone for an introduction the first week of class. I figure the fewer people who know I play, the fewer people there are in the stands booing me," he laughs.

Goodbye Homeschooling, Hello eLearning

From the rich and famous to the up-and-comers, online schooling is available to all. Texas Tech University's accredited distance learning program is open to students as young as kindergarteners through 12th graders. And, the school's Institute for the Development and Enrichment of Advanced Learners program even has TV stars roaming its cyber halls

. Actors like Jesse Plemons (Landry Clarke on NBC's "Friday Night Lights") and Leven Rambin (Lily Montgomery on ABC's "All My Children") are taking high school courses at their own pace. Texas Tech's distance learning program gives them the flexibility to pursue their budding careers and still receive an accredited education.

Jesse, 18, who has only one class left before he graduates, just wrapped up the first season of the NBC primetime drama "Friday Night Lights." "I went into this program because my local high school didn't know what to do with me. I was home for short periods of time, and then gone," he explains. "Texas Tech has made [learning] much more convenient. I get to work at my own pace." And, he's been so impressed with eLearning that he isn't opposed to taking the cyber route for his college courses too, he points out.

Leven Rambin, 17, is in a similar situation. The Manhattan resident enrolled at Texas Tech to continue schooling while working on "All My Children." With so many lines to memorize and an unpredictable schedule, the high school junior claims eLearning gives her less to worry about.

"The day can begin early or start at midday," Leven explains. "We don't know our call times [the times celebs are needed at the studio] until after 3 p.m. the day before we work, so it's challenging to try to schedule [other obligations]."

Prior to enrolling at Texas Tech, Leven experienced difficulty as a student in the traditional school system. "I was denied credit for my entire first semester [at a regular high school] because of the number of days I missed due to work," she recalls.

Since making the switch to cyber learning, the young actress has no regrets. "I do homework whenever I have an extended block of free time," Leven explains. "Sometimes I do it at the studio if I'm having a longer-than-normal day with stretches of time between shooting; other times, in the evening, and I have done it on weekends, too."

As for college, Leven asserts she will definitely pursue a bachelor's degree. "I think the grades I'm earning and my drive to succeed in school will gain me acceptance into some fine colleges," she points out. "Based on my work schedule and what's going on [in my career], I would consider an online university."

Distance Ed Gets Real

With the advent of reality TV comes the advent of reality TV stars hopping on the cyber learning bandwagon.

Paige Rien, a designer on HGTV's "Hidden Potential," is on the road to a cyber degree. Dubbed the next Ty Pennington or Martha Stewart, Paige is pursuing an interior design degree at the Art Institute Online, a leader in online creative arts education.

The architecture and urban planning graduate of Brown University starts classes this spring in hopes of propelling her career with the additional art degree.

"A designer always has to keep learning, adapting, and broadening his or her skill set with emerging technologies," she explains. "I want to stay current and fresh." Paige is confident that taking classes at the Art Institute Online will give her the flexibility to learn in the midst of her jam-packed schedule, which includes traveling and the strains of TV production.

"I looked at all of my options, including traditional schools," Paige points out, "but I wouldn't be able to commit to classes in the brick-and-mortar world and be able to continue my show design work."