Considering an Online Degree Program? Start Here
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patrick
Before you sign up or pay for an online college degree proram, you need to do a little research. Your first concern when considering a traditional or an online college should be accreditation.
Accreditation indicates that the programs offered by the online university have undergone rigorous reviews by a legitimate organization. But, just because an institution says that it has been accredited does not necessarily mean that is true.
The Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission and the US Department of Education have all issued advisories on bogus colleges and universities that they refer to as "diploma mills". It is easy to spot a diploma mill if you know what to look for. For example, no accredited university offers an online degree based on work experience alone. You might get a little credit for your experience, but you will be required to complete substantial academic coursework to earn you a degree from a legitimate online college or university. To verify a university's accreditation, visit www.ope.ed.gov.
You can also check out the credentials of an online university by calling a local college and asking it they accept transfer credits from the institution you are considering. If they say, "no", then it would be a waste of your time and money to complete the program.
The next thing to consider is the cost of an online college degree. Does it fit with your budget? Is financial aid available? At one time, grants, loans and scholarships were not available for distance learning education. Now, that has changed. But, it is still a good idea to compare the total cost, in credit hours, of the degree that you want to obtain. You can easily do that by looking at several different universities. Diploma mills charge a flat fee; legitimate online degree programs charge by the credit.
Once accreditation has been verified and you are comfortable with the costs, be sure that you choose an academic program to help you achieve your professional goals. Be sure that the entire program is available on-line or that the credits you earn on line are transferable should you wish to continue your studies elsewhere.
Your final step is to consider your suitability for online education. Some students thrive in the distance learning environment, while others don't do so well. You might want to coplete a single three credit class or a certificate program online to see if distance education is for you.
Accreditation indicates that the programs offered by the online university have undergone rigorous reviews by a legitimate organization. But, just because an institution says that it has been accredited does not necessarily mean that is true.
The Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission and the US Department of Education have all issued advisories on bogus colleges and universities that they refer to as "diploma mills". It is easy to spot a diploma mill if you know what to look for. For example, no accredited university offers an online degree based on work experience alone. You might get a little credit for your experience, but you will be required to complete substantial academic coursework to earn you a degree from a legitimate online college or university. To verify a university's accreditation, visit www.ope.ed.gov.
You can also check out the credentials of an online university by calling a local college and asking it they accept transfer credits from the institution you are considering. If they say, "no", then it would be a waste of your time and money to complete the program.
The next thing to consider is the cost of an online college degree. Does it fit with your budget? Is financial aid available? At one time, grants, loans and scholarships were not available for distance learning education. Now, that has changed. But, it is still a good idea to compare the total cost, in credit hours, of the degree that you want to obtain. You can easily do that by looking at several different universities. Diploma mills charge a flat fee; legitimate online degree programs charge by the credit.
Once accreditation has been verified and you are comfortable with the costs, be sure that you choose an academic program to help you achieve your professional goals. Be sure that the entire program is available on-line or that the credits you earn on line are transferable should you wish to continue your studies elsewhere.
Your final step is to consider your suitability for online education. Some students thrive in the distance learning environment, while others don't do so well. You might want to coplete a single three credit class or a certificate program online to see if distance education is for you.
About the Author:
Brad Essex is an education writer whose interests include online colleges and online degree programs.
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