How to Choose an Online College

How to Choose an Online College

by Ransom Stone

Knowing how to choose an online college or university is not unlike choosing a residential campus. You want to be sure a well-respected, accredited online college or university has the right online degree courses to meet your career needs and expectations.

Ten elements of choosing an online college or university include:

1.Accreditation

You want a online college or university that is not only accredited, but one that is accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).

The highest accreditation available in the U.S. is regional accreditation from one of the six recognized regional accreditation organizations. For example, Harvard University is Institutional Accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, (NEASC-CIHE), Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

Online universities such as Kaplan University and Capella University are accredited by the Northcentral Association of Colleges and Schools, another recognized regional accreditation organization.

If an online college or university claims that regional accreditation is not possible for online schools, that is an obvious red flag that you are dealing with a diploma mill or degree mill, and not a legitimate program.

2.Degree Programs Offered:

If the university does not offer the program, degree, or specialization you seek, move on. There are hundreds of programs to choose from. Seems obvious, but if you speak to an admissions advisor from a college that does not have the program you want, you could be talked into a different program that may not fulfill your needs.

3.Credit Transfer Policy:

Every school is different, yet basically the same. If you are transferring credits from an accredited school which match the requirements of your new degree classes, where you received at least a “C” in the course, you will usually receive credit.

The receiving school sets the policy. The biggest difference is what percentage of credits can be applied to your new degree program. Check with the school before applying.

4.Technical Requirements:

Choose and online college where you meet the school's technical requirements. Online education requires certain minimum standards for hardware and software. IT and Computer Science degrees will require even higher minimum standards.

5.Class Delivery:

Ask how the classes are structured and taught. Are classes 100% online, or do they require some residential activity. The trend for many degree programs is to keep 100% of the experience online.

Online courses can take place year round. By accelerating your classes online, a typical four-year bachelors degree can be earned in about two years and six months.

6.Professors:

Research the quality of the faculty. Are they graduates of prestigious universities? Are their resumes online and available for you to see? Are they available to students by email, phone, or instant messenger?

A serious red flag is professors who are graduates of the same college or university you are attending. One ploy of diploma mills to is to award bogus degrees to professors and then use those same bogus credentials to promote the faculty.

The better online schools hire professors not only with advanced degrees from recognized, accredited universities, but many faculty members have experience in the field. For example, many paralegal classes will be taught by attorneys.

7.Admissions Process:

What is required to be accepted into the program? Unlike residential universities, most online universities do not require SAT or ACT test scores. You will need a high school diploma or GED.

Online colleges are geared toward adults. Most require a phone interview to determine if you are suitable for online education, if have the required computer and software, and if you meet any other requirements.

8.Tuition and Fees:

Tuition costs are no joke – online or offline. While online colleges and universities are not as expensive as Harvard or Yale, they will cost significantly more than your local community college which is taxpayer subsidized.

What you need to consider is value. According to the Department of Labor, the average income of college graduates is over $20,000 higher per year than that individuals with only a high school diploma.

Does the college charge other fees? Do you have to pay an application fee, graduation fee, technology fee, or others?

Are books included with your tuition? The best online schools include all required textbooks and ebooks in the tuition.

9.Financial Aid:

Students of regionally accredited colleges and universities are eligible to apply for Title IV funds through the Department of Education. While there are hundreds of private options available, the best of grants and student loans are available through the USDE.

Student loans are based on need, not your credit rating. It's always wise to start with your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov) before looking to alternative lenders.

Expect to pay something toward your tuition. Even with financial aid from the Department of Education and an EFC of 0, expect to spend at least $100 out of pocket just to show you are serious about getting your degree.

10.Support System:

What support system does the college have in place for online students?

Can you reach the professors easily? Does the university provide free tutoring if you are trouble with a particular subject?

Look at the library. Are you able to get hard copies of books in addition to ebooks? Do you have 24/7 access to the library and technical support?

For many adult students, online education is not just the best choice, but the only choice. Online colleges and universities provide the convenience of wrapping education around your busy schedule at work and at home. Choosing the right online program at the right online university should not add to the stress in your life.

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Ransom Stone reviews online colleges and universities and assists prospective students in choosing the right online degree program. His blog can be found at: http://www.virtualjoefriday.com