Introduction
People are still skeptical about attending online colleges or universities, even as the entire world is shifting to doing just about everything on the Internet.
Step 1
Check to make sure the online colleges or universities of interest are accredited. Usually, you can quickly guess if an online program is accredited by the name of the school that is offering the courses. For example, most people have familiarity with Harvard University, Northwestern University and UCLA, and most know that there is no question that these schools are accredited. Even state-based public universities offer online programs, and you have some assurances that their curriculum is accredited.
When you encounter unfamiliar or weird online programs, that's when you should perform research concerning the accreditation. Check federal, regional and state authorities for proper credentials for each and every online school.
Step 2
Ensure the credits you earn from online colleges or universities are transferable and recognized by other institutions. Usually, if you attend a public, state college, those credits are not only transferable to other public institutions within the state, but also to schools across state lines. The same generally holds true for private institutions. However, many campuses may not accept credits earned from online schools.
As you apply for admission to online colleges or universities, you should encounter many disclaimers (and proclaimers) about the transferability of credits. If you don't see any information in this regard, yea or nay, then alarm bells should go off in your head to avoid the school.
Step 3
Think about the job market that is available for students who get degrees from online colleges or universities. Hiring employers and human resources professionals have varying viewpoints about education that is received from online institutions. Many feel that students are able to cheat via online courses, which is not the type of workers businesses want to hire.
If you want to work in a specific industry or work for a particular company, ask or call around to recruiters and hiring managers about your hiring prospects based on having an online degree.
Sources and Citations
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