By Dawn Papandrea

Duff Sisters at Harvard?
Although Harvard University confirms that TV/music/movie star Hilary Duff is taking online classes, she's actually enrolled in the Ivy League's Extension School, which doesn't require students to complete its rigorous admission process for enrollment.

According to Linda Cross, director of communications and marketing for the Harvard University Division of Continuing Education, the star of Disney's "Lizzie McGuire" is enrolled as a half-time student, not a degree candidate.

"The Harvard Extension School has open enrollment," Cross explains, "so Hilary, or anyone, can take credits earned and apply them to a future degree program."

Hilary has been able to log online and watch recorded lectures from brick and mortar classes. She also has the ability to interact with fellow classmates and professors.

"I can watch the professors teach and take notes from my computer," wrote Hilary in the diary section of her official fan site. "I am really excited about going back to school and the online classes are really cool."

And she's not the only Duff going the cyber school route. Big sister Haylie is also studying sociology through Harvard's Extension School.

Beyond Hoop Dreams
This past spring, Toronto Raptors guard Jalen Rose earned a bachelor of science in management studies from the University of Maryland University College. Thanks to online learning, the NBA star, whose Jalen Rose Foundation provides over $50,000 in scholarships each year, was able to pick up on his studies, even while on the road.

"I left the University of Michigan after my junior year to enter the NBA Draft, but never lost sight of the value of a college degree," he explains. "This is equally important to me as any achievement on the basketball court. When I'm finished playing basketball, I will have the skills to pursue my dreams off the court."

Going for Degree Gold
Pennsylvania State University's World Campus has also served athletes in their educational pursuits. The list includes Sasha Cohen, the 20-year-old figure-skating sensation. For her, online learning fit in perfectly with the demanding training schedule. She was able to study nutrition online through Penn State's World Campus last year.

"When I researched this program I realized that working at my own pace through correspondence was exactly what I was looking for," she says.

Other Penn State World Campus alumni include MLB pitcher Al Leiter and NHL star Adam Graves.

Giant of the NBA Goes MBA
The newest poster boy for online learning? None other than Miami Heat NBA giant Shaquille O'Neal, who received his MBA from the University of Phoenix this past June. He began taking traditional classroom courses while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. When he was traded to Miami, he didn't let the cross-country move deter him from his goal. Online classes became the hoopster's answer.

"It's just something to have on my resume when I go back into reality," he explained before receiving his MBA. "Someday I might have to put down a basketball and have a regular 9-to-5 [job] like everybody else." The degree, he said, "solidifies that I'm a businessman."

Next on Shaq's educational agenda? Studying criminal justice. It may be hard to believe, but the 7'1'' star aspires one day to pursue law enforcement as an undercover agent. In fact, he's already been sworn in as a U.S. deputy marshal, and has joined a Department of Justice task force that tracks down sexual predators who target children on the Internet.